How Permit Prices Rose in Two Stages

New Brunswick ATV permit costs changed in two separate steps, which can make older prices and current rates hard to compare. The key is to follow the timeline: an earlier increase moved permits to one set of rates, and a later increase raised them again. Here’s what changed, which permits the figures describe, and what to check before buying.

The two-stage increase at a glance

The standard adult trail permit rates did not jump from their older levels directly to today’s higher figures in one change. Instead, there were two stages: an increase announced in 2022 and put into effect in May 2023, followed by another increase in 2026.

For groomed trails, the annual permit price moved first to $130, then to $145. For non-groomed trails, the comparable rate moved first to $65, then to $75. These are the widely referenced adult permit rates; they are not a universal price for every permit type, rider or purchase situation.

Permit type	Rate after first increase	Rate after second increase	What to keep in mind
Groomed trail permit	$130	$145	The higher-priced option includes access to groomed trail riding under the applicable permit terms
Non-groomed trail permit	$65	$75	A lower-priced option for riders whose plans fit its access and season conditions
Youth permit	Separate rate	Separate rate	Check the current youth rules and price rather than using the adult rates
Day or week permit	Separate rate	Separate rate	Short-term permits are not directly comparable with an annual permit

The first step matters because the $130 and $65 rates were not the original prices. They were the rates after the increase announced in 2022. The second step matters because older references to those figures may no longer describe the latest standard adult rates. A price quoted for one period should not be assumed to apply in another.

The change is also easy to misread because the two permit categories did not rise by the same dollar amount. A groomed permit went up by $15 in the later step, while a non-groomed permit went up by $10. That does not mean the less expensive permit is automatically the right choice: the type of trails you intend to ride, the season and the permit conditions all matter.

For a broader look at the options and what each covers, see [New Brunswick Groomed vs Non-Groomed Permits]. If you need the current fee rather than the history, [New Brunswick Trail Permit Cost in 2026] focuses on the latest price question.

What changed in each stage

Stage one: the increase announced in 2022

The first price change followed an announcement in 2022, with the new rates taking effect in May 2023. That timing explains why a rider might find different prices in older club material, saved screenshots or forum posts. A price listed before the change could be accurate for its time without being the rate that applied after the new schedule began.

After this first stage, the standard adult groomed permit rate was $130, and the non-groomed rate was $65. Those rates then became the reference point for the next period. Because the increase was announced before it took effect, announcement date and effective date are not interchangeable. If a document says a change was announced in 2022, that does not necessarily mean every rider paid the new amount in 2022.

For readers comparing older prices, the useful question is not just “When was the increase announced?” It is “Which permit season or purchase date does this figure apply to?” Permit information may be shared in advance of a season, and a club, dealer or other seller may refer to a rate in the context of a particular season. Confirm the applicable period before relying on a saved price.

Stage two: the later increase

The second stage raised the standard adult rates again: the groomed permit reached $145, and the non-groomed permit reached $75. This later change is why the earlier $130 and $65 figures can still appear in material about the permit system without being the latest rates.

A two-stage timeline helps explain the difference:

1. Before the first increase, older rates applied.
2. The change announced in 2022 took effect in May 2023, bringing the standard adult rates to $130 for groomed and $65 for non-groomed.
3. A later increase brought those standard adult rates to $145 and $75, respectively.

This is a history of the standard adult rates, not a complete fee schedule. Youth, day and week permits have their own pricing and eligibility conditions. Other costs, such as replacing a sticker or purchasing a permit for a different machine, should also be checked separately. Don’t use the groomed or non-groomed adult price as a shortcut for those cases.

If you are working out which annual permit fits your riding, New Brunswick’s Groomed Trail Permit and New Brunswick’s Non-Groomed Trail Permit can help explain the difference. For short visits, New Brunswick Day Permit Cost and [New Brunswick Week Permit Cost] cover the separate short-term options.

Why the two increases are easy to confuse

A few details make the timeline less obvious than it might seem.

First, older prices can remain online long after a change. A post, discussion or image may be useful for understanding what permits used to cost, but it may not identify the season it refers to. If a page gives $130 or $65 without a date or permit period, treat it as a historical clue rather than confirmation of the current price.

Second, the first increase was announced in one year and took effect later. Someone may remember hearing about the change in 2022, while another rider remembers paying the new price from May 2023. Both accounts may refer to the same change, but to different points in its timeline.

Third, people often use “trail permit” as if it meant one product with one price. In practice, a permit choice can depend on trail grooming, the season, rider eligibility and whether the purchase is for one day, a week or a broader riding period. The standard adult rates in the two-stage history do not answer all those questions.

Finally, “price increase” can mean more than the change in the amount paid. Riders may also want to know whether the permit includes membership, whether it works on a particular trail network, or whether a permit from another province is recognized. Those questions are related to the cost, but they are not the same as the price history.

A good comparison keeps these points separate:

• Price: the amount charged for the permit type and applicable period.
• Access: which trails and seasons the permit allows you to use.
• Eligibility: whether age or rider status changes which permit you may buy.
• Membership: whether buying a permit also provides membership benefits.
• Reciprocity: whether a permit from another jurisdiction is accepted for the riding you plan to do.

For background on the relationship between a permit and club membership, see New Brunswick Permit Equals Membership. If you are riding across provincial lines, check the relevant rules rather than assuming that a price or sticker automatically gives access elsewhere. New Brunswick Reciprocity With Nova Scotia and [New Brunswick Reciprocity With PEI] address two common cross-border questions.

How to check the right price before buying

The safest approach is to verify the exact permit you need, then confirm its current price with an authorized seller or the organization responsible for the trail permit. That small check can prevent a common mistake: comparing an old adult annual rate with a current youth or short-term permit.

1. Decide what kind of riding you plan to do

Start with the trails and season you expect to use. If your riding plans involve groomed trails, check the groomed permit’s access and terms. If you only need non-groomed access, compare that option instead. Don’t choose solely by the lower price; a cheaper permit is not useful if it does not cover the trails or season you want.

Conditions can vary across a large trail network. A permit category does not guarantee that every trail is open on every day. Closures, seasonal restrictions and local trail conditions are separate from the permit price. Check current trail information before setting out, especially if your route crosses several areas.

2. Confirm the rider and permit period

Check whether the permit is for an adult or youth, and whether you need an annual, day or week option. The adult annual figures in the two-stage timeline are not a substitute for the price or rules for other permit categories.

If a child is riding, make sure the permit type is appropriate to the rider and machine. The permit question is only one part of being ready to ride; age-related riding rules and safety requirements may apply separately.

3. Verify the date the price applies

Ask which permit season or purchase date the quoted price covers. This is particularly important when a seller’s page, club notice or printed material shows $130 or $65. Those are the rates from the period following the first increase, not necessarily the later rates.

A clear confirmation should identify the permit type, the relevant period and the price. If any of those details are missing, ask before paying. This is more reliable than relying on an undated screenshot or a price mentioned in an old conversation.

4. Check where and how the permit is sold

Permits may be available through different sales channels, and the details can vary by seller. Before travelling to a counter or arranging a purchase, confirm that the seller offers the permit you need and accepts your intended payment method. New Brunswick Permits Sold at Service Centres, New Brunswick Permits Sold by Clubs and New Brunswick Permits Sold by Dealers explain common sales routes.

Also check what you receive with the purchase, including the sticker and any instructions for placing it on the machine. If the sticker is lost or damaged, replacement rules and costs are a separate matter from the original permit price. See [New Brunswick Permit Placement on a Machine] for placement information.

5. Keep the receipt and the permit details together

Save your confirmation or receipt, and make sure you know how to display the permit correctly. A purchase record can help if there is a question about what was bought, but it does not replace following the sticker-placement and trail-use rules. Before riding, check that the permit is attached as instructed and that it matches the machine and riding period.

For a practical checklist of what to carry, Four Things to Carry on a New Brunswick Trail can help you plan beyond the permit itself. Riders should also confirm any insurance, registration and safety requirements that apply to their machine and route.

What the increase means for riders

The higher rates affect how riders budget for a season, but the best way to assess the change is to compare like with like. Compare the same permit type across the same period. A groomed annual permit and a day permit do not provide a fair price comparison, and a non-groomed permit is not necessarily a direct substitute for a groomed one.

The increases also make it useful to plan how often you expect to ride. A rider who goes out regularly may value an annual permit differently from someone making a single trip. A visitor should compare the relevant short-term options with the length and location of the planned ride, while checking whether the permit is accepted on the intended trails. These are planning considerations, not a guarantee that one permit will be the best value for every rider.

The price itself is only one part of the cost of riding. Riders may also need to account for machine registration, insurance, fuel, equipment and travel. Those expenses are separate from the trail permit and may have different rules or renewal periods. If you are new to the process, How to Buy a New Brunswick Trail Permit lays out the purchase steps, while New Brunswick Permit Questions Clubs Hear addresses common points of confusion.

A useful pre-purchase checklist is:

• Identify whether you need a groomed, non-groomed, youth, day or week permit.
• Confirm the current rate for that specific permit.
• Check which trails and seasons it covers.
• Ask which purchase period the quoted price applies to.
• Confirm the seller and available payment methods.
• Review sticker placement and keep proof of purchase.
• Check other riding requirements separately.

The historic rates still matter when reading older information, but they should not be treated as a current quote. The first increase explains how the $130 and $65 rates came about; the second explains why those figures were raised to $145 and $75. Keeping the two stages distinct makes it easier to understand older references and to verify what you should pay now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did New Brunswick raise permit prices only once?

No. The standard adult groomed and non-groomed rates rose in two stages. The first increase was announced in 2022 and took effect in May 2023; a later increase raised the rates again.

What were the rates after the first increase?

The standard adult rates after the first stage were $130 for a groomed permit and $65 for a non-groomed permit. Those are historical rates, so confirm the current price before buying.

What are the higher rates in the later stage?

The later standard adult rates are $145 for a groomed permit and $75 for a non-groomed permit. Youth, day and week permits are separate categories.

Does the price alone tell me which permit to buy?

No. Consider trail access, grooming, season, rider eligibility and the length of your trip. A lower price does not help if that permit does not cover the riding you plan to do.

Where should I confirm the price?

Check with an authorized permit seller or the organization responsible for the permit before purchasing. Confirm the permit type and period as well as the amount, especially when you encounter an older price online.

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.