New Brunswick Permit Replacement If Lost

A lost New Brunswick trail permit sticker can leave you unsure whether you can ride, where to ask for a replacement, and what proof to bring. The key is to distinguish the trail permit from your vehicle registration: they serve different purposes and have different replacement processes. Here’s how to handle a missing permit, reduce delays, and avoid riding with a sticker that cannot be verified.

First, identify what went missing

A New Brunswick trail permit is not the same thing as an ORV registration plate or registration sticker. The trail permit is associated with access to the permitted trail network and is displayed on the machine. Vehicle registration is a separate legal requirement. Losing one does not automatically replace or invalidate the other.

If you are unsure which item is missing, check the papers and decals you have:

Missing item	What it relates to	Who to ask about replacement
Trail permit sticker	Trail access and permit or membership records	The club, dealer or other seller that issued it, or the relevant trail permit organization
ORV registration plate or decal	Vehicle registration	Service New Brunswick
Registration certificate	Proof of vehicle registration	Service New Brunswick
Trail permit receipt or confirmation	Evidence of the permit purchase	The seller or issuing organization

If the trail permit sticker is gone but the plate and registration certificate are still in place, you are dealing with a trail permit replacement. For help identifying the registration items, see New Brunswick Documents You Must Carry. If the registration plate, decal or certificate is missing too, handle that as a separate request. New Brunswick Replacement Plates and Decals explains the registration side.

This distinction matters when you contact someone for help. A Service New Brunswick counter handles vehicle registration services; it is not necessarily the place that can verify or replace a trail permit sticker. The seller or permit organization is better placed to look up a trail permit purchase.

What to do when your trail permit sticker is lost

Start by checking whether the sticker is truly missing. Mud, packed snow or a damaged mounting surface can make a permit hard to see. Clean around the sticker gently and inspect the machine’s required display area without scraping or peeling it. If it has come loose, keep the pieces and take a clear photo of what remains. That can help explain the problem, but it does not guarantee that the permit will be accepted as valid.

If the sticker is gone, take these steps:

1. Stop and note when you noticed it. Record the date, approximate location and circumstances. If it may have come off during a ride, write down the route or trailhead. These details can help when explaining the loss.
2. Check your purchase records. Look for a receipt, email confirmation, membership record or payment entry. Note the machine the permit was bought for and the name used for the purchase.
3. Find the original seller or issuing organization. Contact the club, dealer or other authorized seller involved in the purchase. If you are not sure where the permit came from, ask the relevant trail permit organization how to locate the record.
4. Ask what proof they need. Be ready to provide your name and contact details, the machine’s make and identifying information, the purchase date or approximate period, and any receipt or confirmation you still have.
5. Ask about the replacement process and current charge. Replacement procedures can depend on how the original permit was issued and whether the purchase can be verified. A replacement sticker charge of $11.50 has been listed, but confirm the current amount and process before paying.
6. Wait for clear direction before riding. Ask whether you may ride while a replacement is being arranged, or whether you must wait until a new sticker is issued and attached. Do not assume that a receipt alone substitutes for the missing sticker.

When you call or email, explain plainly that the sticker was lost and that you are requesting a replacement for the same machine. Avoid describing it as a transfer if the machine has not changed. A replacement for a lost sticker and a transfer to another machine are different situations; ask which process applies before moving or attaching any permit material. For related information, see New Brunswick Permit Transfers Between Machines.

Keep the original registration certificate and proof of insurance available as well. They do not replace a trail permit, but they are separate documents that may be relevant on a ride. Four Things to Carry on a New Brunswick Trail outlines the different items riders may need to have with them.

Proof, cost and what to ask before you pay

The simplest replacement request is usually one where the original purchase can be matched to a person and a machine. A receipt is helpful, but it may not be the only way to verify a purchase. If you cannot find it, give the seller enough details to search its records. Do not send sensitive personal information through an unverified email address or social media account; first confirm that you are contacting the right organization.

Before making a payment, ask these questions:

• Can you find the original permit record using my name, machine details or purchase date?
• What information or documents do you need from me?
• Is the replacement for the same machine, or does this situation count as a transfer?
• What is the current replacement charge, and how can I pay it?
• Will I receive a temporary confirmation, or should I wait for the replacement sticker?
• Where and how should the replacement sticker be displayed?
• Can it be mailed, or must I collect it from a seller or club?

A replacement charge is separate from buying a new permit, renewing a permit or paying for vehicle registration. Do not assume that a lost sticker means you need to buy an entirely new permit, but do not assume that a replacement is free either. The issuing organization can confirm what applies to your purchase and current rules. For a broader explanation of permit types, see New Brunswick Groomed vs Non-Groomed Permits and New Brunswick Trail Permit Cost in 2026.

If the sticker was damaged rather than lost, describe exactly what happened. A partly attached sticker, a sticker with an unreadable number, and a sticker that has fallen off may require different handling. Take a photo before removing anything that remains, and ask whether the issuing organization wants the damaged sticker returned. Do not try to reproduce a sticker, alter one or use a photo of it as a substitute. Only the organization responsible for issuing permits can tell you what proof is acceptable.

If you bought the permit through a club, begin there. If you bought it through a dealer or another seller, contact that seller first. If you are unsure which route to take, ask the relevant permit organization where purchase records are held and who handles replacement requests. The important point is to use a contact connected to the original sale or official permit process rather than relying on an informal promise from another rider.

Riding while you wait and preventing another loss

The practical question is whether you can ride before the replacement sticker arrives. Do not decide based only on having paid for the original permit. A receipt may help prove the purchase, but it is not automatically a substitute for the required display. Ask the organization responsible for the permit what to do, and follow its direction. If you cannot get a clear answer before your planned ride, the safer choice is to postpone riding on the permitted trail network until the replacement is in place.

This is especially important if you are travelling to a trailhead or joining a group. A missing sticker can create problems at a check, and your other documents do not cure the missing permit display. Check permit requirements before setting out, and make sure the sticker is visible and attached as directed. What an Officer Looks for When Checking Stickers explains why a permit that cannot be seen may raise questions even if you believe it is valid.

When the replacement arrives, inspect it before leaving the seller or opening the envelope further. Confirm that it is meant for the correct machine and that any identifying information is readable. Follow the current placement instructions rather than putting it wherever the old sticker happened to fit. If you are also replacing a registration decal, do not confuse its placement with the trail permit’s placement; [New Brunswick Permit Placement on a Machine] and New Brunswick Permit Stickers on the Left Side address permit display.

A few habits can make another loss less likely:

• Clean and dry the approved mounting area before attaching the sticker.
• Follow the issuer’s instructions for placement and attachment.
• Avoid putting the permit where luggage, a strap or bodywork regularly rubs it.
• Check that it remains secure after washing the machine and after rough rides.
• Take a clear photo of the permit and its placement once installed.
• Keep the purchase confirmation and contact details with your riding records.

A photo and receipt are useful for documenting your purchase, but they do not authorize you to reproduce the sticker. Store digital copies securely and keep the original documents required for riding accessible. If the sticker is on a part that is routinely removed or swapped between machines, ask the permit issuer whether that placement is acceptable before fitting it there.

If the permit was lost along with other riding papers, make a list of each missing item. The process for replacing a trail permit is not the same as replacing an ORV registration certificate. For the latter, see What to Do If You Lose Your Registration Certificate. Keeping the two requests separate helps you contact the correct office and avoids delaying a permit replacement while dealing with registration paperwork.

A lost permit sticker is usually a manageable problem, but it is worth resolving before the next ride. Locate any purchase evidence, contact the original seller or issuing organization, confirm the current replacement steps and charge, and get direct guidance about riding while you wait. Keep the replacement attached and visible before returning to the trail.

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.