Do Passengers Need a Minnesota Pass?
If you’re riding two-up in Minnesota, it’s easy to wonder whether each person needs a trail pass. The short answer is no: a required pass applies to the machine, not each person riding on it. What matters is whether that ATV needs a pass for the place you’re riding, and whether the machine and passenger meet the applicable rules.
The pass is for the machine, not each rider
A Minnesota ATV trail pass is not a personal ticket that every operator and passenger must buy. When a pass is required, it applies to the ATV. A passenger riding on that same machine does not need to purchase a second pass just because they are on board.
That distinction matters when you plan a ride with a partner, child, or friend. Check the machine’s registration and pass status, rather than counting the people in the group. If you bring two ATVs, though, treat them as two separate machines: a pass associated with one ATV does not cover the other. The same principle applies when a machine is borrowed or rented; confirm the required paperwork and pass are in place for that specific machine before heading out.
The rules can depend on the machine’s registration, the rider’s residency, and where you plan to ride. In broad terms, Minnesota-registered ATVs generally use their valid Minnesota registration to meet the state’s machine-registration requirements. An ATV registered outside Minnesota may need a Minnesota non-resident ATV trail pass for applicable riding areas. Check the current rules and the pass requirements for your planned route, rather than assuming that an out-of-state plate or a passenger’s home-state permit is enough. See Minnesota’s Non-Resident ATV Trail Pass and Which Minnesota Trails Require a Pass for more on those distinctions.
| Situation | Does the passenger need a separate pass? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| A passenger rides on an ATV that already has the required pass | No | Confirm the pass applies to that machine and riding area |
| Two people ride on one ATV | No second passenger pass | Confirm the ATV is designed to carry a passenger |
| A group brings two ATVs | No pass per person, but each machine is considered separately | Check registration and pass requirements for both ATVs |
| You borrow an ATV | The passenger does not need a pass of their own | Confirm the borrowed machine has the required pass or registration |
| You rent an ATV | The passenger does not need a separate pass | Ask the rental provider what is covered and verify the machine’s status |
A pass requirement is only one part of being ready to ride. It does not make an ATV legal for every trail, allow an extra passenger, or replace rules about age, training, helmets, registration, and safe operation. Keep those questions separate: first determine what the machine needs, then check the rules that apply to each person.
Check the machine and the riding area
Before a ride, identify the ATV’s registration status and the land or trail system you plan to use. A machine’s paperwork and a trail’s access rules are not interchangeable. A valid registration or pass does not give you permission to ride on closed land, private property without permission, or a route that does not allow ATVs.
Minnesota has different requirements depending on a machine’s registration and the type of riding area. For example, an out-of-state machine may need a non-resident pass for certain Minnesota trails, while a Minnesota-registered machine may be covered differently. The details matter when you move between public trails, state forest roads, private land, and other areas. Check the current requirements for the specific route before you travel, especially if your group is visiting from another state. Minnesota Rules for Visiting Riders explains the visitor side of the question.
If you are riding a borrowed ATV, do not assume the owner’s pass or registration covers every machine they own. Confirm the status of the actual ATV you will use. A pass associated with the owner’s other machine does not automatically transfer to the one you borrowed. The same goes for a rental: ask the provider what registration or pass is included, and make sure you understand where the machine may be operated. For details, see Trail Passes for a Borrowed Machine and [Minnesota Pass Rules for a Rented Machine].
A practical pre-ride check is:
- Identify the ATV you will ride and note whether it is registered in Minnesota or elsewhere.
- Check whether that machine needs a Minnesota pass for the planned trail or riding area.
- Confirm that the pass or registration is valid and associated with the machine being used.
- Check trail access, seasonal closures, and local restrictions for your route.
- Confirm that the ATV is designed and equipped for the number of people riding.
Do not rely on a passenger’s own permit, another ATV’s decal, or an old assumption about where a pass is needed. If the route crosses more than one kind of land or trail system, check each part of the route. A requirement that applies on one trail may not answer what is required elsewhere.
Pass rules do not decide who may ride as a passenger
Even when no separate passenger pass is needed, the passenger must still be allowed to ride on that ATV. The machine must be designed to carry a passenger, and the passenger must use the designated seat and footrests or other passenger provisions. A person should not ride on a rack, fender, cargo bed, or other area that is not intended as a passenger seat.
This is a machine-safety issue, not a pass issue. If the ATV is built for one rider, carrying a second person can affect balance, braking, steering, and the operator’s control. Do not treat a short trip or slow speed as a reason to squeeze someone onto a single-seat ATV. Check the owner’s manual and manufacturer’s passenger instructions if you are uncertain whether a machine is designed for two people.
Youth riders and passengers may have additional requirements. Age, supervision, safety training, and helmet rules can vary with the person’s role and the place of operation. A passenger does not become exempt from those rules just because the operator has a pass. Review Minnesota Rules for a Child Passenger for age-related considerations and Minnesota ATV Safety Training Requirements for certification rules that can apply to operators.
Before carrying a passenger, make sure:
- The manufacturer designed the ATV to carry more than one person.
- The passenger can sit securely in the intended position and reach the footrests.
- The operator can control the ATV with the added passenger and any cargo.
- Both people have properly fitted protective equipment.
- The passenger understands how to stay seated and move with the machine.
A passenger pass is not a substitute for any of these checks. Nor does a machine’s registration settle whether a passenger is permitted on a particular road, trail, or land parcel. Local access restrictions and operating rules still apply.
Common trip-planning mistakes
The most common misunderstanding is counting people instead of machines. If two people ride together on one properly equipped ATV, they generally do not need two passes for that one machine. If the group takes two ATVs, each machine’s registration and pass situation needs to be checked separately. Passes for a Second Machine is useful when planning a group trip with multiple vehicles.
Another mistake is assuming that the word “pass” means the same thing as registration. They are related to access and machine status, but they serve different purposes. A registration does not automatically establish that an out-of-state ATV has every pass it needs for Minnesota trails. Likewise, a trail pass does not grant access to every property or cancel other requirements. Check what applies to the vehicle and where it will be operated.
Borrowing an ATV can make the paperwork less obvious. Ask the owner whether the machine is properly registered and whether it has any required pass for your route. Do not rely on a verbal assurance that “the family has a pass” without confirming it is valid for the machine you will ride. If the ATV is rented, ask the rental provider directly, since the renter’s responsibilities and the provider’s arrangements may differ.
Finally, verify the rules close to the time of the ride. Trail access, closures, and permit requirements can change. The Minnesota DNR and the relevant land manager are the places to confirm current requirements. If you cannot establish that the ATV has what it needs, choose a route where its status is clear before setting out.
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.
