Permission Written Down and Signed
A friendly verbal “sure, go ahead” can feel clear until a neighbor, landowner, or rider has a different understanding of where the ATV or UTV may go. In New Hampshire, written permission matters when you ride on private property. A signed note creates a record of who gave permission and what it covers, but it is not a substitute for registration or permission to use other land.
Why written permission matters in New Hampshire
New Hampshire requires written permission to operate an OHRV on private property. A quick conversation may establish goodwill, but it is not a reliable record of the permission required for riding there. Keep the permission with you or readily available while you ride, and make sure everyone in your group understands its limits.
A written permission note can also prevent misunderstandings about boundaries, dates, routes, and the machines or riders included. “You can ride on my land” could mean one field to the person granting permission and a much larger area to the rider. Writing down the details helps both sides agree before the machine starts.
Permission should come from someone with authority over the property. That might be the owner, or a tenant, caretaker, business, or other person authorized to grant access. Do not assume that someone who happens to live nearby, owns a neighboring parcel, or maintains a road can give you permission to use land they do not control.
This is especially important when a route crosses more than one parcel. A landowner can only grant permission for land they have authority over. If the route crosses a second property, you need permission for that property too. A signed note for one parcel does not create a right-of-way across the next one.
| What the permission should clarify | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| The landowner or authorized person’s name | Shows who granted access |
| The property or area covered | Helps avoid riding beyond the allowed boundary |
| The approved dates or time period | Makes it clear whether permission is temporary or ongoing |
| The riders and machines covered | Prevents a group member from assuming they are included |
| The approved route and activities | Distinguishes trail use from parking, camping, or other activities |
| Conditions and restrictions | Makes expectations clear before the ride |
For more on the basic rule, see Written Permission on New Hampshire Private Land and New Hampshire Written Permission Requirements. A signature is a practical way to show that written permission came from the person who granted it. It does not need to be an elaborate contract to be useful, but it should be specific enough that a rider and landowner would interpret it the same way.
Permission also does not make unposted land open for riding. The absence of a sign is not consent. Before riding on private property, get clear written approval rather than treating a lack of “No Trespassing” signs as an invitation. Why Unposted Land Is Not an Invitation
What to put in a signed permission note
A useful note identifies the people, property, activity, and boundaries involved. It can be a paper document or another written record, provided it clearly shows that the authorized person gave permission. If you are relying on a message or email, preserve it so you can show the entire exchange, not just a cropped sentence without context.
Include the landowner’s or authorized person’s name and a way to contact them. Identify the property as clearly as practical: a street address, parcel description, named field or camp, or a map showing the allowed area can help. Avoid relying on vague directions such as “the woods behind the house” if multiple trails or parcels could fit that description.
State which activity is allowed. Permission to cross a driveway does not necessarily mean permission to ride the whole property, and permission to use a trail does not automatically include permission to camp, build a fire, fish, hunt, or bring guests. If the landowner intends to allow only a particular route, describe it or attach a simple map.
Set out who may ride. If permission is for one person and one machine, say so. If it covers a family or group, name the riders or describe the group clearly. Do not assume that a friend can pass the permission to other riders or invite additional guests unless the landowner has agreed.
Include the machines or machine types when it matters. A landowner may be comfortable with one ATV using a narrow trail but not a wide side-by-side. Include any limits on machine size, number of machines, passengers, speed, hours, or noise. Riders should not treat silence on a particular issue as permission to do whatever they like.
Finally, state the dates or duration and any conditions. The landowner might allow access for one afternoon, a weekend, or a defined period, with permission ending earlier if the trail becomes muddy or logging begins. The note should say what to do if access needs to change. The landowner should sign and date it; the rider should keep a copy and follow the conditions as written.
A clear note might say, in ordinary language, that a named rider may operate a specified machine on a described route across a named property during agreed dates, subject to stated limits. The important part is not formal wording. It is that the permission is written, comes from someone authorized, and describes the access actually being granted.
If a property has multiple owners or is managed by an organization, ask who is authorized to approve access. A single person’s signature may not settle the question if that person lacks authority to speak for the other owners or the organization. When permission is for recurring rides, clarify whether it applies to each rider separately, a named club, or a specific event.
What a signed note does not allow
A signed permission note applies only to the land and activity it describes. It is not a general pass for nearby trails, public land, or roads. It does not grant access to a neighboring parcel, even if the easiest route between two permitted areas crosses it.
It also does not replace registration requirements. New Hampshire’s registration rules depend on where and how the machine is operated. If your ride leaves private property and uses a public trail or other public land, check the rules that apply to that part of the route. A landowner’s signature cannot authorize a rider to use a public trail that is closed or restricted. See New Hampshire Rules for Riding Private Land and When Leaving Your Own Property Requires a Registration.
The same distinction applies to club trails. A club may have permission from landowners to maintain and operate a trail network, but that does not necessarily mean a rider has permission to leave the marked route and explore surrounding private land. Follow posted signs and club directions, and confirm that the route is open. If a route crosses private ground between public or club-accessible sections, permission must cover that crossing. Crossing a Corner of Private Land Between Trails
A private landowner’s permission also does not give you permission to ride on state-owned land or a town property. Those areas have their own access rules and may have seasonal restrictions or closures. Check the rules for the specific land rather than assuming that permission for an adjoining private parcel carries over. New Hampshire Rules for Riding State Land
Keep the signed permission available, but do not treat it as a guarantee that every question is settled. A ranger or other official may still need to check your registration, machine, or compliance with applicable riding rules. Likewise, a rider should not assume that showing a note overrides a closure, a posted restriction, or a landowner’s instruction to stop.
Before riding and if permission changes
Before the ride, compare the written permission with the route you plan to take. Check that the entire route is covered, that all riders are included, and that the dates and conditions still apply. If a trail crosses a property boundary, confirm permission for each parcel rather than relying on a map line that may be hard to see on the ground.
- Ask the person granting access to identify the property and the area or route you may use.
- Confirm the permitted riders, machines, dates, and any limits.
- Ask whether the permission covers parking, unloading, guests, or any other activity you plan to do.
- Have the authorized person sign and date the written permission.
- Give each rider the relevant conditions and keep a copy available during the ride.
- Check for signs, gates, closures, or changed instructions before entering the property.
If the landowner later changes or withdraws permission, stop using the property and respect the new direction. A signed note is not a permanent easement or a promise that access will continue indefinitely. The note can document what was allowed during the stated period, but it does not prevent the person with authority from ending permission.
If the landowner asks you to leave, leave promptly and safely. Do not argue that the note allows you to keep riding after permission has been withdrawn. If there is confusion about a boundary or a condition, pause and contact the person who granted access rather than trying to resolve it by riding farther.
For ongoing access, revisit the agreement when circumstances change. A route may be affected by logging, road work, seasonal conditions, a change in ownership, or new limits on the number of riders. Confirm that the permission remains valid before each season or organized ride, especially when the original note does not specify an end date. More details on changing access are covered in When a Landowner Takes Back Riding Permission.
A signed note is a simple safeguard, not a workaround for trail rules. Treat the permission as a limited agreement: ride only where, when, and how the authorized person allows, and check the separate registration and access rules for every public or club-trail segment.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
