The $50 Per-Operator Annual Rate

The $50 Per-Operator Annual Rate

ByGeorgia ATV Guide Editorial Team

The Forest Service’s $50 annual OHV pass is easy to confuse with Georgia’s separate vehicle registration. They serve different purposes: one is a per-operator permit for specified national forest OHV trails, while the other is a state registration for qualifying multipurpose off-highway vehicles. Knowing which applies—and whether your machine fits the trail—can prevent wasted money and a frustrating trip.

What the $50 annual rate covers

The Forest Service annual OHV pass is a trail-use permit, not a vehicle registration or a general pass for every road and recreation area in Georgia. The Forest Service lists its annual pass as valid at Houston Valley, Whissenhunt, Beasley Knob, Town Creek, Oakey Mountain, and Davenport OHV Trails. A pass covers the operator who holds it; it does not automatically cover other people who take turns driving.

The Forest Service sets the permit rate at $50 per operator per year, compared with $5 per operator per day for a one-day pass. Those are the Forest Service rates listed as of November 2026. At those rates, the annual pass costs the same as ten individual day passes, so it may be a practical choice if you expect to ride often enough at the covered sites. That comparison does not mean the pass gives you access to every trail, vehicle type, or forest road.

Permit choice Forest Service rate Who the permit covers Best fit
One-day OHV pass $5 per operator per day The operator for the day An occasional ride or a trial visit
Annual OHV pass $50 per operator per year The operator who holds the pass Repeated visits to the covered OHV trail systems

The “per operator” part is important. According to the Forest Service, OHV permits are issued per person rather than per vehicle, and each operator needs a permit to comply. If two people each take a turn operating one machine, each needs their own permit. The permit is not a vehicle sticker that follows the machine from driver to driver. For more on the distinction, see Georgia National Forest Permits Are Per Operator and Georgia’s Day and Annual Forest OHV Permits.

The annual pass’s six trail systems are a list of places where the pass is accepted, not a promise that any particular machine is allowed on every trail within them. The Forest Service restricts use according to trail designation and vehicle width. For example, it says trail use is generally limited to vehicles less than 50 inches wide unless a trail is specifically designated for full-size vehicles. Some systems have more restrictive rules: the Forest Service manages Oakey Mountain trails for ATVs and dirt bikes with an axle width under 48 inches, while Town Creek’s Loop A is for two-wheeled vehicles and Loop B is designated for ATVs and four-wheelers. The Forest Service does not allow Jeeps, side-by-sides, or other UTV-type vehicles on Town Creek’s trails.

Before paying, match your machine to the exact trail you plan to ride. A pass can be valid at a trail system while the vehicle itself is barred from a particular loop. The pass also does not override closures for wet conditions or other resource-protection rules. The Forest Service closes motorized trails when conditions are wet to prevent damage and erosion. Check the site’s current notices before leaving, and use the relevant trail page or map to confirm that your vehicle is allowed.

If you are still deciding where your machine fits, Georgia ATV Trails That Allow Side-by-Sides can help narrow the options. For width limits and the differences between trail systems, see Georgia Trail Widths and What Fits.

The annual trail pass is not Georgia MPOHV registration

Georgia’s multipurpose off-highway vehicle registration and the Forest Service OHV pass address different activities. Georgia’s Department of Revenue says MPOHV registration became voluntary on December 1, 2023. The Department of Revenue lists the annual state registration fee as $20, while the Forest Service’s $50 annual pass is for each operator using its specified OHV trail systems. Both amounts are listed as of November 2026.

A state registration is tied to a qualifying vehicle; the Forest Service pass is tied to the person operating on covered trails. Paying for one does not pay for the other. In particular, a Georgia registration does not serve as a Forest Service trail permit, and a Forest Service annual pass does not register a vehicle with the state. One Annual Permit Covers All Six Georgia OHV Systems explains where the Forest Service pass applies; Georgia MPOHV Registration Explained covers the separate state process.

Registration also does not make a vehicle eligible for every road or trail. The Department of Revenue says a qualifying MPOHV must meet its design and equipment requirements, including having four or more wheels, a steering wheel, a nonstraddle seat, safety belts, and required lights and a rearview mirror. It must also fall within the agency’s limits for width, cargo capacity, speed capability, and gross vehicle weight. The Department of Revenue does not issue a title when an MPOHV is registered.

Forest Service rules are a separate and essential check. The Forest Service says multipurpose off-highway vehicles and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited on Forest Service roads, and off-highway vehicles that are not licensed for public road use must stay on designated OHV trails. So even if your MPOHV is registered with Georgia, do not assume that registration lets you drive it on a forest road. Follow the Forest Service’s posted restrictions and designated routes.

The distinction between an ATV and an MPOHV matters here, too. Georgia government describes MPOHVs as four-wheeled utility vehicles designed for on- and off-road use, with a steering wheel and nonstraddle seating. It describes ATVs as vehicles intended for off-road use or private dirt roads, not public roads. Neither the state registration process nor a forest permit changes a trail’s vehicle restrictions. For a closer look at how the state classifies vehicles, see What MPOHV Actually Stands For and Georgia ATV Registration Requirements.

Who needs a pass and how to buy one

If you are going to operate on one of the six Forest Service OHV systems covered by the annual pass, plan on having a permit for each operator. A passenger who does not operate is not the same as a second driver, but anyone who takes the controls needs their own permit. For the specific passenger question, see Does a Passenger Need Their Own Georgia Forest Permit?.

The Forest Service says motor vehicles may be operated on designated OHV trails only if the operator is old enough to obtain a state driver’s license or is accompanied by a legally licensed driver. That supervision rule is not a substitute for checking the trail’s requirements or the rules for the particular park. If a younger rider will be operating, confirm the details with the Forest Service before the trip.

Day and annual permits can be purchased through Recreation.gov, and the Forest Service also identifies local ranger district offices as places to ask about annual-pass purchasing. Purchase instructions may depend on the trail system. For example, the Forest Service says Town Creek annual passes can be arranged through the Oconee Ranger District. Check the current instructions for your destination instead of assuming that every trailhead sells passes on site. See Georgia Permits on Recreation.gov for more on using that purchase route.

At Davenport Mountain, the Forest Service says annual pass holders must buy and print the pass ahead of time and display it in the tow vehicle. That is a destination-specific instruction worth checking before you drive. Keep a copy available as directed, and make sure the operator who will be riding is covered. Printing a Permit Before You Leave offers a useful checklist for getting ready.

The Forest Service says the annual pass is valid at the named trail systems, but the annual fee should not be treated as an all-purpose recreation fee. Some places have different rules or fees, and some trailheads do not accept other kinds of forest passes. For example, the Forest Service says a Forest Annual Pass cannot be used at Town Creek. That statement concerns the Forest Annual Pass, not the dedicated OHV annual pass. When in doubt, check the page for the exact pass type and location.

A smooth purchase starts with a few checks:

  1. Choose the trail system first. Confirm that the Forest Service accepts the annual OHV pass at that destination.
  2. Check your vehicle’s eligibility. Read the trail’s allowed-vehicle and width rules, including restrictions for individual loops.
  3. Count the operators. Each person who will operate needs their own permit.
  4. Follow the purchase instructions for that location. Confirm whether you should purchase online or contact a ranger district office.
  5. Save or print the pass as directed. If the trail’s instructions require a printed pass or display in the tow vehicle, do that before traveling.
  6. Check conditions and closures. Trails may close when wet, and seasonal or site-specific restrictions may apply.

A Forest Service pass is for trail use; it does not replace a driver’s license, make an otherwise prohibited vehicle eligible, or authorize riding outside designated areas. The Forest Service says a valid driver’s license is required to operate a motor vehicle on a Forest Service road. It also says off-highway vehicles not licensed for public-road use must remain on designated OHV trails. Those restrictions are separate from buying a permit.

Match the pass to the trail and the machine

A common planning mistake is to choose a trail because the annual pass covers it, then discover that the machine does not meet that trail’s rules. Check the trail’s vehicle list and measurements before buying a pass or towing. The Forest Service states that trails generally limit vehicles to less than 50 inches wide unless the trail is specifically designated for full-size vehicles, but individual systems can be narrower or limit the types of machines they accept.

For instance, the Forest Service says Houston Valley has a 50-inch vehicle-width restriction, and its information for Davenport Mountain says ATVs must be 50 inches or less wide. Oakey Mountain is narrower: the Forest Service describes its trails as open to OHVs with axle widths under 48 inches and managed for ATVs and dirt bikes. Town Creek has loop-by-loop restrictions, and the Forest Service says side-by-sides and other UTV-type vehicles are not allowed there. A UTV owner should not infer that every destination accepting the annual pass will accept a UTV.

The Forest Service also requires riders to stay on designated OHV routes. At Davenport Mountain, for example, it says riders must remain on the OHV trail; cross-country riding and riding on the main road are not allowed. In general, forest motor vehicle use maps identify roads, trails, and areas designated for motor vehicle use, and the Forest Service prohibits using or possessing a motor vehicle in a way that conflicts with those designations. Use the map for the specific district and follow signs on the ground.

Conditions can change whether a trail is open. The Forest Service closes OHV trails during wet conditions to limit trail damage and erosion. Check conditions before setting out, and do not assume that a previously open route remains available after rain or other weather. Some trails also have seasonal closures or operating-hour limits. Confirm the details for your chosen system on the Forest Service’s current information page or by contacting the responsible ranger district.

The permit is also not a road-access pass. The Forest Service says MPOHVs and ATVs are prohibited on Forest Service roads, even though qualifying MPOHVs may be registered under a separate Georgia process. Georgia government describes registered, insured, properly equipped MPOHVs as eligible for certain public-road use, but not on municipal streets or State Routes and US Highways. That state road rule does not erase Forest Service restrictions. For road use, consult Georgia MPOHV Road Rules: County Roads Only; for forest riding, follow the Forest Service’s designated OHV trail rules.

Violating OHV restrictions can carry serious consequences. The Forest Service says violators may face fines of up to $5,000 and/or up to six months in prison. A permit is a relatively small part of trip planning; confirming vehicle eligibility, the right route, and current closures is just as important.

In short, think of the $50 pass as a permit for an operator to ride at the covered Forest Service OHV systems—not as a registration for a vehicle or permission to ride anywhere on national forest land. Buy one for each operator who needs it, verify the machine and trail match, and check current purchasing and closure instructions before heading out.

Sources

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.

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Georgia ATV & UTV Desk
Our focus is on off-highway riding in Georgia—permits, registration, trail rules and places to ride.
To deliver clearer, more complete, and more current guides, we use AI tools throughout our research and drafting, check key figures against official sources, and correct a guide when a rule changes or a reader reports an error.
Email: [email protected]

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