What stickers does my ORV need? Michigan's two-permit system
Michigan's ORV license and trail permit are two different things, with a decision table for the prices, title rule, and places each permit covers.
2026–27 season (stickers valid April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027). Confirm current prices at checkout.
Two stickers, two jobs
Michigan sells two different ORV stickers. The ORV license ($26.25) is the base sticker, good for state forest roads, eligible county and national forest roads, and frozen lakes. The trail permit (+$10, $36.25 total) is the add-on that opens the designated trail-and-route system and the scramble areas. The permit is never sold alone.
The decision table
| Your situation | ORV license? | Trail permit? |
|---|---|---|
| Unplated ATV/UTV/dirt bike on designated trails, routes, or scramble areas | Yes | Yes |
| Unplated machine on open state forest roads or eligible county roads | Yes | No |
| Unplated machine on a frozen lake | Yes | No |
| Street-legal (plated) truck or Jeep on a designated ORV route | No | No |
| The same plated truck on a trail or in a scramble area | Yes | Yes |
| Anything on private land with permission | No | No |
Both stickers expire March 31 regardless of purchase date. Physical stickers go on the machine — license on the rear; trail permit positioned per vehicle type (centered and visible on the rear for trucks and buggies).
Titles, visitors, and insurance
- ORVs must be titled with the Michigan Secretary of State (one-time, separate from the annual stickers; nonresident machines excepted). Check the title before buying a used machine.
- The SOS will not street-register an ATV — there’s no plating your quad for the road in Michigan.
- Nonresidents pay the same permit prices as residents.
- Insurance: the state doesn’t require it off-road, but some county road ordinances do for road segments, and a homeowner’s policy may not cover the machine. Confirm coverage with your insurer.
Where the money goes
Sticker revenue supports trail maintenance and grants to the volunteer clubs that sign, groom, and repair the system.
Quick FAQ
Do I need a sticker on my own land? No. On a buddy’s land? No, with permission. On lake ice? Unplated machine: license. Plated vehicle: nothing. Does last year’s permit still work? Until March 31 — then everyone re-ups for the new season.
The official sources
Current requirements and prices live at the DNR’s ORV permits page and Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses. Start with ORV riding in Michigan.
Sources
Last reviewed against the listed sources: June 11, 2026.