ORV Permits

NPS Photo

For the 2023 season, Cape Cod National Seashore will offer both a mail-in permit application option and an in-person permit application option for annual permits. The updated 2023 mail-in permit application will be posted to the website on April 1, 2023. Applications from prior years will not be accepted.

Mail-in applications MUST include a self addressed, stamped envelope so the permit can be mailed back to you. As always, the Oversands Permit office opens April 10 for in-person permit applications. The office is open daily 8 am to 4:30 pm. The last permit of the day will be issued at 4:15 pm. Read below for more information on obtaining a permit.

 

Permit Required

You must have a valid ORV permit to drive a vehicle on the ORV corridor. Only properly inspected and permitted vehicles are allowed. To find out how to get a permit, see the instructions below.

 

Rental Vehicles Prohibited

Rental vehicles are never permited on the ORV corridor. There are no exceptions.

 

Important Links

• Return to the Main ORV Page
• Map of Current Corridor Status
• Mandatory Equipment and Tire Size Requirement
• ORV Corridor Rules and Regulations
• Self-Contained-Vehicle (SCV) Camping
• ORV Corridor Fishing
• ORV Annual Reports

You may, and you are encouraged to apply for a mail-in permit if you:

• Have had a Cape Cod National Seashore Oversand Vehicle Permit in the last five years;

AND

• Your permit application is for the same vehicle that was previously registered

You MUST apply for a permit in-person at the Oversand Station if you:

• Have not had a Cape Cod National Seashore Oversand Permit in the last five years;

OR

• You have had a permit but are driving a newly acquired vehicle that has not been permitted previously.

 

How to Get a Mail-In Permit

The updated 2023 mail-in permit application will be posted to the website on April 1, 2023. Applications from prior years will not be accepted. NOTE: ALL SALES ARE FINAL. ONCE PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED, NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED, REGARDLESS OF CORRIDOR CLOSURES.

1. This application is for Annual Permits only. 7-day permits must be purchased at the Oversand Permit Station at Race Point.
2. The mail-in permit application is available online beginning April 1. Applications can be mailed to the park anytime on or after that date.
3. Fill out the Cape Cod National Seashore Oversand Vehicle Registration Form legibly and completely. Please make sure the form is signed by the owner of the registered vehicle.
4. ALL VEHICLES: Enclose a copy of vehicle registration for each vehicle getting a permit. If requesting multiple permits, please ensure that you fill out an application for each vehicle. Permits will not be issued without copies of current/valid registration.
5. LEASED VEHICLES: Enclose a copy of proof of lease (e.g. lease agreement) showing name and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
6. DO NOT enclose a check or cash. An employee from the Oversand Office will contact you by phone to obtain payment information which will be processed at that time. Cash payments are not accepted for mail-in applications. Once the permit application is processed, there will be NO REFUNDS ISSUED. Permits are $150.00/season ORV, $225.00 for Self-Contained Vehicles.
7. Applicants MUST INCLUDE a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Park staff will be mailing your permit back to you. If there is no self-addressed, stamped envelope with your application, your permit will not be processed.
8. Applications can be mailed to: Cape Cod National Seashore, Attn. Oversand Office, 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, MA 02667
9. The permit request may take up to two weeks to process.
10. Park rangers will be conducting random inspections to verify legitmacy of permit, vehicle equipment, and tire sizes.
11. For more information, please call [phone], ext. 0927.

 

How to Get a Permit in Person

Bring 4-wheel drive and/or self-contained vehicle (SCV) to Off-Road Permit Station at Race Point Beach, Provincetown, MA for a vehicle inspection between April 10 and November 15. If not the owner of the vehicle, you must have a letter of authorization. The Oversands Permit Office is open daily 8 am to 4:30 pm. The last permit of the day will be issued at 4:15 pm.

NOTE: ALL SALES ARE FINAL. ONCE PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED, NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED, REGARDLESS OF CORRIDOR CLOSURES.

1. Have all required safety equipment.
2. Show valid driver's license and registration.
3. View orientation program.
4. Pay permit fee (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or cash. Prepaid debit cards and gift cards are not accepted).
5. Agree to abide by Cape Cod National Seashore regulations and the "Low and Slow" initiative.

 

ORV Office Information

Price:
ORV Annual - $150
ORV 7-Day - $50
SCV Annual - $225
SCV 7-Day - $75

There will be up to 400 7-Day permits active at any time and 3000 annual permits available.

Call the Off-Road Information Line for station hours, current driving conditions, closures and other information: (508) 487- 2100, ext. 0926.

The direct phone number to the Oversand Office is: [phone], ext. 0927. This office is staffed daily, 8 am to 4:30 pm, from April 10 through November 15. The last permit of the day will be issued at 4:15 pm.

Off season: From November 15 - April 10, please call the Race Point Ranger Station at [phone], ext. 0928

Permit Sales and Procedures

The Oversand Program will issue both mail-in permit applications and in-person permit applications. The Oversand Permits Office is located adjacent to Race Point Beach in Provincetown, MA.

Four hundred (400) weekly permits may be active for any 7-day period during the season. Since 2006, permits have been available throughout the season.

When considering an ORV permit, be aware that during shorebird nesting season, as protected populations, such as the piping plover and least tern increase, the area of the ORV corridor may decrease significantly, particularly during the months of June and July. The ORV program cannot predict changes in the corridor area, and these changes may happen without warning and/or advance notice. All permit sales are final. The ORV program does not issue any refunds.

Credit card is the preferred method of payment for all ORV permits. The ORV program does not accept pre-paid debit cards.

 

License and Registration Requirements

Operators:
Registered owners and other operators must have a valid state operator's license; view an educational orientation program each season; and abide by all Seashore and off-road regulations.

Vehicles:
4-Wheel/All Wheel Drive Vehicles or Self-Contained recreational vehicles must have: a valid state registration, inspection sticker, insurance, tires meeting standards outlined in this brochure and all required accessory equipment. Rental vehicles are never allowed on the ORV corridor.