Three Hundred for a Nonresident Year
Planning a Tennessee riding trip from out of state? The $300 annual nonresident permit can make sense for repeated visits to North Cumberland, but it is not a statewide pass or a substitute for vehicle paperwork. Here’s what it covers, how it compares with shorter permits, and what to check before heading out.
What the $300 annual nonresident permit is for
The Annual Non-Resident Permit is an OHV riding permit for the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area, often shortened to NCWMA. It is separate from a title, registration, or Tennessee Department of Revenue sticker. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says its new NCWMA OHV permit requirements took effect July 1, and permits are available through the GoOutdoorsTennessee.com customer portal.
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Annual Non-Resident Permit costs $300 as of November 2026. That amount is worth comparing with the shorter options if you are deciding between an annual pass and paying per trip.
| NCWMA permit | Listed cost |
|---|---|
| 1-Day Nonresident Permit | TWRA: $50 |
| 3-Day Nonresident Permit | TWRA: $125 |
| 7-Day Nonresident Permit | TWRA: $200 |
| Annual Non-Resident Permit | TWRA: $300 |
The permit is required on a per-vehicle basis, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. It is not one permit for a family, group, or trailer load of machines. The agency also requires at least one adult per vehicle to possess a valid permit. If you are bringing more than one vehicle, plan around that vehicle-by-vehicle requirement rather than assuming the annual permit follows the driver.
An annual permit may be a practical choice if you expect to make several trips to NCWMA or want to ride there over a longer period without buying a new short-term permit each visit. If you have one brief visit planned, compare the annual option with the 1-Day, 3-Day, and 7-Day permits instead. Consider how long you will ride and how many vehicles need coverage—not only the cost of the pass.
For a side-by-side comparison of the available permit types, see The 2026 North Cumberland Permit Prices. If you are choosing between an annual permit and a multi-day option, When a Three-Day Permit Beats a Single Day may also help you weigh the shorter stays.
The word “annual” describes the permit category, but do not assume it will remain valid for a full calendar year from the day you buy it. Check the expiration information shown during purchase and keep a record of it. That matters if you are planning multiple visits or buying well before your next trip.
What the annual permit does—and does not—cover
The $300 permit applies to riding at North Cumberland, not every place in Tennessee where an OHV might be allowed. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says riders using other designated wildlife management areas outside NCWMA still need the High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit. A permit for one area should not be treated as a pass for another.
That distinction can be easy to miss because Tennessee has several types of riding paperwork. NCWMA’s OHV permit is an area-use permit. A title or registration concerns the vehicle’s legal ownership and classification. A Tennessee Department of Revenue sticker is evidence that a title has been issued when an OHV is not registered for road operation. The Tennessee Department of Revenue says that sticker is required on an OHV or ATV operated in many federally or state-owned facilities, including parks and game reserves. It is not the same thing as an NCWMA riding permit.
A Tennessee Department of Revenue sticker is issued by county clerks and is non-renewable and non-transferable. The agency also says it becomes invalid when the vehicle is sold or dismantled. If you need to sort out the vehicle paperwork before the trip, start with Why Tennessee Has No Statewide Trail Sticker and Titling an OHV in Tennessee.
A valid title or sticker does not replace the NCWMA permit, and buying the NCWMA permit does not complete title or registration requirements. Treat these as separate checks. If you bought a machine out of state, or are not sure which vehicle paperwork applies, Buying an Out-of-State Machine for Tennessee can help you understand what to ask before riding.
Nor should you expect the NCWMA permit to work as a general Tennessee trail pass. The agency’s rules name a particular wildlife management area, and separate riding destinations may have their own permit systems. Before crossing from one property to another, confirm what that property requires. Does One Permit Cover Every North Cumberland Unit? addresses the area-wide scope of the NCWMA permit, while Why a Tennessee Park Permit Does Not Travel explains why a pass for one riding venue should not be assumed to cover another.
There are also special-use rules that can affect who needs which permit. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says a special use permit is required for ATV riders at North Cumberland unless they are properly licensed hunters or under age 13. The agency separately says that at least one adult per vehicle must have a valid OHV permit. Because those rules refer to different permit language and circumstances, do not rely on an exception to one requirement as proof that your vehicle is covered by another. Check the current TWRA guidance for the type of use you plan. For additional background, see Tennessee Rules for Riding a WMA.
Check the vehicle, rider, and trip before you go
Before you pay for an annual permit, confirm that the machine and the planned ride fit the rules for NCWMA. The permit is not a blanket approval to ride any vehicle on any road or trail, and having it does not change the machine’s classification or road-use status.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue defines a Class I OHV as a vehicle with not less than four and no more than six non-highway tires, a top speed greater than 35 mph, a dry weight up to 2,500 pounds, and a width of 80 inches or less. The agency defines Class II OHVs as vehicles designed primarily for recreation, including sand buggies, dune buggies, rock crawlers, and sand rails. Those definitions are relevant to titling and classification; they are not a substitute for checking the rules of the property where you intend to ride.
For road-capable vehicles, Tennessee Department of Revenue classifications also distinguish low-speed and medium-speed vehicles. A low-speed vehicle is four-wheeled and electric or gasoline powered, with a top speed greater than 20 mph but not greater than 25 mph; a medium-speed vehicle is four-wheeled and electric or gasoline powered, with a top speed greater than 30 mph but not greater than 35 mph. The agency says each category must meet federal safety standards set forth in 49 CFR 571.500, and the relevant registration application requires the corresponding vehicle affidavit. Classification, road registration, and an NCWMA permit address different issues, so do not infer trail or road rights from a vehicle’s speed category alone.
For a trip plan, work through these checks before leaving:
- Confirm the property. Make sure the riding area is NCWMA, not another wildlife management area or a privately operated park. If your route includes multiple properties, verify each property’s permit requirements.
- Count the vehicles. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency requires permits on a per-vehicle basis and says at least one adult per vehicle must hold a valid permit. Make sure each vehicle in your group is accounted for.
- Choose the permit period. Compare the annual option with the nonresident day and multi-day permits in the table. Check the permit’s validity and expiration details at purchase.
- Check rider requirements. The agency says all minors must wear helmets while riding ATVs. It also says a person aged 17 or younger operating an OHV alone does not need a permit, but must follow the manufacturer’s age limits. Confirm how this applies to your group and the specific vehicle.
- Review operating rules. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency sets an area-wide speed limit of 25 mph at NCWMA and a maximum noise limit of 86 dB measured at 50 feet from the exhaust. Riders must also follow applicable seasonal requirements, including daylight fluorescent orange rules during deer/elk-gun and muzzleloader seasons.
- Keep proof accessible. Save the permit confirmation and any vehicle documents you may need to show. Keep them where the driver can retrieve them without unpacking the machine or leaving paperwork exposed.
The permit does not remove the need to follow safety and seasonal rules. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, riders must wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange during deer/elk-gun and muzzleloader seasons. A bright vest or outer layer can make compliance easier to manage. If you need to buy one, Amazon is one place to look for fluorescent orange riding apparel, but check that the item meets the agency’s stated requirement before relying on it.
The agency also says all off-highway vehicles must have mufflers that keep noise output acceptable, and that an ATV driven above 25 mph is considered reckless driving. Its rules further require firearms transported on ATVs to be unloaded. During big-game seasons, riders must meet hunter-orange requirements, and hunters must be properly licensed for the season and carry only legal firearms or archery equipment. These requirements are separate from the permit purchase.
Nonresidents should be especially careful not to assume that a permit bought in their home state is a substitute for the NCWMA permit. The permit amounts listed by TWRA include separate resident and nonresident options, and the agency describes a North Cumberland-specific permit system. If you are visiting from another state, A Georgia Rider Buying a Tennessee Permit offers a useful example of the questions to settle before arrival. Confirm your own permit category through TWRA’s purchase portal rather than relying on a registration card or trail pass from elsewhere.
Finally, check the area’s current notices before loading up. A permit is permission to use the designated area under its rules; it does not guarantee that every route will be open or suitable on the day of your ride. Review current property information, weather, seasonal restrictions, and any closures, and make sure everyone in the group understands the speed, noise, helmet, and seasonal apparel requirements.
Sources
- Tennessee Department of Revenue — Off Highway Vehicles (checked November 3, 2026)
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — North Cumberland OHV Riding Area (checked November 3, 2026)
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — New OHV Permit Requirements to Take Effect July 1, 2026 (checked November 3, 2026)
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — ATVs: Rules of the Off-road by Paul E. Moore (checked November 3, 2026)
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.
