Minnesota Passes for a Second Machine
Taking two ATVs to Minnesota can make a trail weekend easier, but it also raises a simple question: does one pass cover both machines? Usually, no. Pass requirements attach to the machine, not the group. Here’s how to tell when each ATV needs its own pass, what to check before you travel, and how to avoid confusing a trail pass with registration.
Does a second ATV need its own Minnesota pass?
If a machine needs a Minnesota nonresident ATV trail pass for the route you plan to ride, expect to get a separate pass for each machine. A pass for the first ATV does not normally let a second ATV use the same trails. The practical rule is to match each pass to the machine it applies to and display it as directed.
That distinction matters whether you’re bringing your own second ATV, sharing a trailer with a friend, or taking a backup machine. If both machines will be ridden on trails where a nonresident pass is required, plan for both to meet the requirement. Having the pass on one machine, or carrying an extra pass in the tow vehicle, does not make the other ATV covered.
The pass is separate from the machine’s registration. Registration establishes that the ATV is registered under the applicable rules; a trail pass provides access where that pass is required. One document or decal does not automatically replace the other. For a broader explanation of how the nonresident pass works, see Minnesota’s Non-Resident ATV Trail Pass.
| Your situation | What to check |
|---|---|
| Two out-of-state ATVs will ride trails requiring a nonresident pass | Check that each ATV has its own required pass |
| One ATV will be ridden and the second stays on the trailer | The unused ATV generally does not need a trail pass just for being transported, but check any rules that apply to its registration and planned use |
| One ATV is Minnesota-registered and the other is registered elsewhere | Check each machine’s status separately; the same pass rule may not apply to both |
| You are borrowing or renting the second ATV | Confirm that the machine has the required pass before riding |
| The ATVs will ride only on private land | Confirm whether the planned use triggers any public-trail pass requirement |
The table is a starting point, not a substitute for checking the route and each machine’s status. Minnesota’s requirements can depend on registration, the type of vehicle, and where it will be operated. A pass may be needed on some trails but not every road, property, or riding area.
The key question is not simply, “How many passes does our group have?” Ask instead, “What does each ATV need for the places it will ride?” That keeps the decision tied to the individual machine and its use.
A pass is for a machine, not a riding party
It can be tempting to think of a trail pass as a group purchase, especially when two riders are traveling together. But the second ATV is still a separate vehicle. If it needs a pass, a pass displayed on the lead ATV does not cover it.
This is especially easy to overlook when the machines belong to one family or are hauled on one trailer. Ownership and transportation do not combine the machines for pass purposes. Treat them as two separate vehicles when you check requirements, buy passes, and inspect the machines before unloading.
For situations involving a borrowed machine, see Trail Passes for a Borrowed Machine. The person paying for or carrying the pass is not the only detail to consider; the machine being ridden must meet the applicable requirements.
Passes and registration are different checks
Before deciding whether to buy a pass for the second ATV, confirm its registration status. Minnesota’s nonresident pass requirements are not a shortcut around registration rules. A machine can be registered in another state and still have separate requirements for riding in Minnesota.
If you’re bringing an out-of-state ATV, review Minnesota Registration for an Out-of-State Machine alongside the pass rules. If one ATV is registered in Minnesota and the other is not, don’t assume that the machines can share the same paperwork or that one machine’s status determines the other’s. Machines Registered in Minnesota and the Pass explains why registration status is part of the decision.
This is also important for Minnesota residents who own a machine registered elsewhere. Residency alone does not settle every registration question. Check what is required for that particular ATV before relying on a nonresident pass as the only step.
How to check both machines before a trip
A reliable way to avoid a last-minute problem is to make a separate checklist for each ATV. That may feel repetitive, but it catches the common mistake: confirming the lead machine is ready while assuming the second one is covered too.
- Write down each ATV’s registration status. Note whether it is registered in Minnesota, registered in another state, or not currently registered. Keep the machines separate in your notes.
- List the places you plan to ride. Identify the trails and riding areas on your route. Pass requirements can depend on where you operate, so do not base the decision only on the town where you’re staying.
- Check whether each machine needs a pass. Use official Minnesota guidance for the planned route and vehicle. If a detail is unclear, confirm it before departure rather than relying on what applied to a previous trip.
- Get a separate pass for each machine that requires one. Confirm that each purchase or pass record corresponds to the correct ATV, and follow the current instructions for display.
- Inspect the machines before loading. Check that each ATV has its own required registration documents and pass display. Do not assume that a document in the truck covers both.
- Recheck the route and current trail information. A route may include different types of land or trail, each with its own rules, closures, or access requirements.
This process helps whether you are traveling with a spouse, a friend, or a larger riding group. It also makes it easier to notice when one ATV has a different registration status from the other.
Check access by trail, not just by destination
A trip plan often includes several kinds of riding access: a grant-in-aid trail, a state forest route, a local connection, or a short road section. A pass requirement for one part of the ride does not necessarily tell you what applies everywhere else.
Before you leave, confirm the pass rules for the specific trails you expect to use. Which Minnesota Trails Require a Pass can help frame that check. For state forest riding, review Minnesota Trail Pass Rules at a State Forest as well; the label “state forest” does not, by itself, answer every access question.
This detail matters when two ATVs follow different plans. Perhaps one rider is taking a longer trail loop while the other stays near camp, or one machine is used only for a short connection. Determine what each ATV will actually do, then check its requirements against that use.
Buy and display passes carefully
If you need to buy passes, use the current official process and verify the instructions for the product you select. Buying a Minnesota Trail Pass Online covers the online route. If you purchase through another authorized channel, check that the pass is valid for the intended machine and travel dates before you rely on it.
Follow the current directions for where and how to display the pass. Do not put one pass on the first ATV and plan to move it to the second when riders switch. The display requirement is separate from the question of who paid, and moving a pass between machines may not be allowed. For practical carry and display considerations, see Carrying a Minnesota Trail Pass on the Machine.
Keep purchase confirmation or other relevant records accessible, but don’t treat a receipt as a substitute for the required display. If a pass is damaged, lost, or hard to read, check the official replacement instructions before heading out.
Common second-machine situations
The right answer depends on the second ATV’s status and use. These are the situations most likely to cause confusion.
The second ATV stays on the trailer
An ATV that is transported but never operated on a trail is different from one that is ridden. In general, trail-pass needs are tied to use on places where the pass is required, not simply to having a machine on the trailer. Still, transportation does not resolve registration requirements, and you should not assume the ATV can be unloaded and ridden without checking first.
If plans change after you arrive, pause before taking the second machine onto a trail. Confirm its registration and pass requirements for that route. It is easier to make that check at home than at a trailhead.
The second ATV is a backup
A backup machine may feel like an exception because it is not part of the original riding plan. But if you switch to it and ride somewhere that requires a pass, it needs to meet the applicable requirements. A pass purchased for the primary ATV should not be treated as a spare for the backup.
If the backup might be used, decide before the trip whether it will need its own pass. If it will stay unused on the trailer, make sure everyone in the group understands that changing machines also means checking the backup’s paperwork and access requirements.
The second ATV belongs to a friend
A friend’s ATV remains a separate vehicle even if you travel together or use one trailer. Check its own registration and pass status. Do not assume that the owner’s residence, the first ATV’s pass, or the group’s purchase receipt answers the question.
If someone else will ride the machine, make sure the rider understands any applicable requirements too. The machine’s status and the rider’s own obligations are distinct issues. For a borrowed ATV, the details in Trail Passes for a Borrowed Machine can help you identify what to verify.
One ATV is Minnesota-registered
A Minnesota-registered ATV and an out-of-state ATV may not have the same pass requirements. Check each one on its own merits. Do not buy a second pass just because the first ATV needs one, and do not assume the first ATV’s registration covers the other machine.
The same caution applies if a Minnesota-registered machine is paired with a second machine that has different paperwork. Confirm the rules for both, including whether the second ATV’s registration is valid for use in Minnesota. Registration and pass questions often overlap, but they are not interchangeable.
You rent the second ATV
If the second machine is rented, ask the rental provider what registration and trail-pass arrangements are in place. Confirm that the pass, if required, is associated with the machine you will ride and is displayed as directed. Don’t assume that a rental includes every permit needed for every route.
It’s also worth checking whether the rental machine is permitted on the planned trail system. Vehicle type and trail access may matter, so compare the machine with the route rather than relying on a general statement that it is “trail ready.”
Avoiding mistakes on a two-machine trip
A few habits make pass compliance easier without turning trip planning into a paperwork project.
- Make one record per ATV. Note the machine’s registration, pass status, and planned use separately.
- Check the exact route. A pass may be required in one riding area and not another; verify the places you will actually go.
- Do not share a pass between machines. If both need one, plan for each to have its own.
- Confirm before changing riders or machines. A machine that was only a backup may have different paperwork or pass needs when it becomes the one being ridden.
- Keep proof organized. Store documents so they are easy to retrieve, but follow the current rules for required display.
- Recheck official instructions before travel. Requirements, purchase options, and display guidance can change.
A quick walk-around before unloading can prevent a common mix-up. Look at the paperwork and required decals on both ATVs, not just the one nearest the truck. If a pass is intended for one machine, make sure it is displayed on that machine rather than kept loose with the group’s gear.
When in doubt, ask the Minnesota agency or authorized vendor responsible for the pass before you ride. Be ready to give the ATV’s registration state, vehicle type, and intended trail or riding area. Those details make it easier to get an answer that applies to the actual second machine rather than a general answer about the group.
The simplest planning rule is also the safest: check each ATV separately, then match each one with the pass and registration it needs for its intended use. That way, a second machine is ready to ride on its own terms instead of relying on the first ATV’s paperwork.
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.
