Prices That Rose From $65
A New Brunswick non-groomed trail permit used to cost $65; the listed price is now $75. That change can make it harder to budget for a season or tell which permit you actually need. Here’s what the increase means, what the permit covers, and what to check before buying.
What changed from $65 to $75
The non-groomed trail permit price rose from $65 to $75. That is a $10 increase for the permit, not a change to the separate registration or insurance requirements for an ATV or side-by-side. If you are comparing an older receipt, a saved screenshot or advice from another rider, the $65 figure may describe an earlier price rather than the amount you will be asked to pay now.
The increase sits within a broader change to New Brunswick trail permit prices. The groomed permit also rose, from $130 to $145. Other permit options, including youth, day and week permits, have their own prices and conditions. Don’t assume that the increase to the non-groomed permit means every permit costs $75, or that paying for a permit replaces your machine’s registration or insurance.
| Permit option | Price listed | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Non-groomed trail permit | $75 | The annual option associated with non-groomed trails |
| Groomed trail permit | $145 | A different option for riders who need groomed trails |
| Youth permit | $30 | For eligible riders aged 6 to 15 |
| Day permit | $20 | A short-term option for a one-off ride |
| Week permit | $30 | A short-term option for a visit or limited riding period |
Treat these as a starting point for budgeting, not a guarantee that a price or condition has not changed. Check the current information from QuadNB or the seller before paying. Permit types, availability and rules may be updated, and what you need depends on where and when you plan to ride.
The title price is also easy to misunderstand. It refers to a trail permit, not an ATV registration charge. Registration is a separate provincial requirement for machines that fall under the registration rules. A trail permit relates to access to the organized trail system and is generally tied to the federation’s membership. For the distinction between these requirements, see New Brunswick ORV Registration Explained and New Brunswick Trail Permit Cost in 2026.
If you’re trying to reconstruct the increase from old information, look at the date and type of permit on the document. A receipt for a non-groomed permit at $65 does not show the price of a groomed permit, nor does it establish what you must pay for a new purchase today. Likewise, a price comparison is only fair when you compare the same kind of permit and the same eligibility category.
What the non-groomed permit is for
A non-groomed permit is an option for riding on eligible non-groomed trails in the New Brunswick trail network. It is not simply a cheaper version that grants access to every trail in every season. The permit choice should match the trails you intend to use and the conditions that matter to your riding plans.
New Brunswick’s trail network includes trails maintained for different seasons and uses. Groomed and non-groomed trails are not interchangeable labels for the same riding experience: grooming affects trail conditions, and some routes may be open only during particular periods. Check current trail information and closures before setting out, rather than choosing a permit based only on which price is lower. New Brunswick Groomed vs Non-Groomed Permits explains the distinction in more detail.
A permit also does not mean every route is open whenever you want to ride it. Seasonal closures, maintenance work, weather and local trail conditions can affect access. Spring thaw, washouts or a posted closure can change what is safe and permitted on a particular day. Check New Brunswick Trail Conditions Before You Go and the applicable club or federation updates before travelling to a trailhead.
A practical way to choose is to start with your riding plan:
- Identify the trails and season. Decide whether your planned routes require a groomed or non-groomed permit. Confirm that the route is open for the kind of machine you are riding.
- Compare the permit options. If you will ride once or for a short visit, check whether a day or week permit is available and suitable. For regular riding, compare the relevant annual option.
- Check who needs a permit. Don’t assume that one sticker covers every machine or every rider in your group. Confirm the rules for your particular situation.
- Buy through a current seller. Permit sellers may include clubs, dealers or other authorized outlets. Ask what the price covers and whether the permit is valid for the dates you need.
- Follow the placement instructions. Mount the sticker where it is required and keep any related proof available for the ride.
The amount paid is only one part of the decision. If you are riding on a non-groomed route, a cheaper permit for a different trail category may not serve your trip. If the trip is a single day, an annual permit may not be the most appropriate purchase. And if you plan to cross provincial borders, don’t assume that the New Brunswick permit is accepted everywhere.
For sticker placement and permit conditions, see New Brunswick Permit Placement on a Machine. If a sticker is damaged or lost, check the replacement process rather than moving a sticker from another machine or relying on a photograph. The rules for replacing or transferring permits can differ from the rules for buying one.
The increase does not replace registration or insurance
It helps to keep three separate questions in mind: Is the machine registered where required? Is it insured as required? Does the rider have the right trail permit for the route?
The trail permit fee answers only the last question. Buying a $75 non-groomed permit does not register an ATV, provide proof of insurance, or make an otherwise closed trail open. Similarly, a valid registration certificate and insurance policy do not automatically provide access to a managed trail system.
Before a ride, check each item independently:
- Registration: Confirm that the machine is properly registered and that its registration is current. New Brunswick registrations have their own renewal rules and expiry date. See New Brunswick Annual Registration Rule.
- Insurance: Confirm the machine’s coverage and carry the proof required for the ride. Trail use can have insurance requirements separate from permit purchase. See New Brunswick Requires Insurance on Trails.
- Trail permit: Check that the permit type matches the trail and season, that it applies to the machine, and that its sticker is displayed as directed.
- Other documents: Keep the required papers accessible. A permit sticker is not a substitute for a registration certificate or insurance proof. New Brunswick Documents You Must Carry covers the paperwork question.
These distinctions matter particularly when borrowing a machine, riding a rental, or taking a family member’s ATV onto a club trail. The operator may be responsible for registration or insurance arrangements, but the rider should still confirm that the machine and permit meet the requirements. Do not rely on a verbal assurance that “the machine has a sticker”; ask what the sticker covers and whether it is valid for your planned route.
The same caution applies to trail access. A permit does not give permission to ride across any private property or any road that is not open to ATVs. Stay on marked corridors, follow signs and respect closures. If a route crosses private land, access depends on the applicable arrangements and permissions, not simply on the price of the permit.
Reciprocity, short trips and budgeting
If you ride only occasionally, compare the annual non-groomed permit with the short-term options before buying. The listed day permit is $20 and the week permit is $30, while the annual non-groomed permit is $75. The right choice depends on the validity period, where you will ride, and the current conditions attached to each permit. Check the seller’s information carefully: a lower upfront cost is useful only if the permit covers your actual trip.
For regular riders, the annual permit may make sense, but the comparison should include trail type and season. A rider who expects to use groomed trails should not choose a non-groomed permit just because its listed price is lower. A rider who plans one short trip should not assume that the annual option is automatically required. Review the permit descriptions and ask the seller to clarify any uncertainty before completing the purchase.
Reciprocity is another detail worth checking before crossing a border. New Brunswick has arrangements with some neighbouring jurisdictions, but acceptance depends on the place you are visiting and the agreement that applies. An older statement from a friend, an outdated travel forum post or a sticker from another province may not be enough to establish that your permit is valid for the trip.
If you are visiting from another province, check the current rules for your home permit and destination. If you are a New Brunswick rider planning to ride elsewhere, confirm that the destination recognizes your permit before you go. Reciprocity can change, and arrangements are not necessarily the same for every province. See New Brunswick Reciprocity With Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Riders Visiting Quebec for questions specific to those trips.
For a clear budget, add the separate costs that apply to your ride rather than treating the permit as an all-in price. Depending on the machine and circumstances, that may mean accounting for registration, insurance, fuel, transportation and any lodging. Permit sellers may have their own ways of processing a purchase; if payment methods matter, confirm the options with the seller directly. Do not rely on an old price list for a current transaction.
A quick pre-purchase check can prevent the most common errors:
- Confirm whether the $75 amount is for the non-groomed annual permit you want.
- Check the current price and dates with an authorized seller.
- Make sure the permit is appropriate for the machine and rider.
- Verify that your intended trails are open and covered by that permit.
- Check whether registration and insurance are current and separately documented.
- Confirm reciprocity before riding outside New Brunswick.
- Follow the sticker placement instructions and keep required documents with you.
The increase from $65 to $75 is straightforward once you identify the permit type, but the price alone does not determine whether it is the right purchase. Match the permit to the trails, dates and machine, and verify the current details before heading 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.
