Wisconsin Passes for a Second Machine

If you’re taking two ATVs or UTVs onto Wisconsin trails, one pass usually does not cover both. The key is each machine’s registration status: Wisconsin-registered machines generally use their registration for public trail access, while an out-of-state machine may need its own Wisconsin trail pass. Here’s how to check what each machine needs before you ride.

Does a second machine need its own Wisconsin pass?

For a machine that needs a Wisconsin nonresident trail pass, plan on a separate pass for each ATV or UTV. The pass is tied to the machine, not to the owner, driver, group, or trailer. One pass cannot be used to cover two machines simply because they belong to the same person or are ridden on the same trip.

That distinction matters when a family brings two machines, a rider switches between an ATV and a side-by-side, or a group borrows a spare machine. If both machines require a pass, each must have its own. A pass displayed on one machine does not authorize a second machine to use the trail.

The first step is to check each machine’s registration separately. Wisconsin registration and a nonresident trail pass are not interchangeable labels for the same thing:

Machine’s status	What to check before using Wisconsin public trails
Registered for public use in Wisconsin	Confirm the registration is current and the decals are properly displayed. A separate nonresident trail pass generally is not the requirement for that machine.
Registered in another state	Check whether that individual machine needs a Wisconsin nonresident trail pass. Do not assume its home-state registration alone covers Wisconsin trail use.
Wisconsin private-use registration	Confirm whether the machine is eligible for the public trails you plan to ride. Private-use registration should not be treated as automatic public-trail authorization.
Rented or borrowed	Check the machine’s registration and pass status. The person operating it should not assume the owner has already handled every requirement.

Wisconsin’s registration categories can be confusing, so check the record rather than relying on the color or appearance of an old decal. Machines Registered in Wisconsin and the Pass explains the relationship between Wisconsin registration and trail-pass requirements, while Passes for a Machine Registered Out of State focuses on machines registered elsewhere.

A pass is also not a general permission slip for every place a machine can travel. It does not, by itself, open a closed trail, allow riding on private land without permission, or authorize travel on a road. Trail access, route rules, machine requirements, and operator rules are separate questions. If your ride includes roads, check the local rules described in Riding an ATV on a Wisconsin Road Route.

How to sort out two machines before a trip

Use a machine-by-machine check rather than deciding that the driver, household, or trip has “a pass.” This is especially useful when the machines have different owners, registrations, or histories.

1. Write down the identifying details for each machine. Record the make, model, VIN or serial number, and registration state. If you are unsure where to find the VIN, use Where the VIN Sits on a Utility Quad.
2. Check the registration for each one. Confirm which state issued it and whether it is current. Do not rely only on what a seller, friend, or rental counter remembers.
3. Decide whether each machine needs a Wisconsin nonresident pass. An out-of-state registration does not automatically mean the machine is exempt. Check the Wisconsin DNR’s current requirements for the machine and the places you intend to ride.
4. Arrange a separate pass for every machine that requires one. Buying or displaying a pass for the lead machine does not cover a second ATV or UTV.
5. Display each pass as instructed. Put the decal on the machine it applies to and follow the placement guidance in Displaying a Wisconsin Trail Pass.
6. Check access and operating rules for the route or trail. A pass does not override a closure or local restriction. Use Which Wisconsin Trails Require a Pass to distinguish trail-pass questions from other access rules.

This process can prevent a common mix-up: buying one pass for the household, then assuming both machines are covered because they are traveling together. The same issue comes up when two people share a trailer but take turns riding different machines. The credential follows the machine, not the trip.

If a machine has recently changed hands, make sure its paperwork matches its actual status. An old sticker, a seller’s receipt, or a registration card from a different machine is not a reliable substitute for confirming the current record. For a used machine, Buying a Used ATV in Wisconsin: The Paperwork can help you identify the documents to check before you plan a trail trip.

Buying, borrowing, or renting the second machine

A second machine does not become covered because it is borrowed from a friend or supplied by a rental business. Ask about that specific machine before it leaves the driveway or rental lot.

For a borrowed ATV or UTV, check the registration state and whether a Wisconsin pass is already required and displayed. If the owner says the machine has a pass, confirm it is attached to that machine rather than another one in the owner’s garage. A pass on the owner’s primary ATV does not cover a spare machine. Passes for a Borrowed Machine Up North covers the questions to settle when someone lends you a machine.

Rentals need the same machine-specific check. Ask the rental provider which registration or trail-pass requirements have been handled and whether the decal is present on the machine you are receiving. Do not treat a general statement that “trail access is included” as confirmation that every machine is properly equipped for every trail. You still need to follow operating rules and stay within the areas open to that type of machine. See Wisconsin Pass Rules for a Rented Machine for more on that situation.

If you bring your own machine from another state and rent a second one in Wisconsin, check both separately. The rental machine’s status does not settle the requirements for your own machine, and your own pass does not cover the rental. That remains true even if the two machines are used by the same rider at different times during the weekend.

For a group, it helps to make one person responsible for checking the paperwork, but that person should keep a separate record for each machine. A simple checklist can include:

• Machine description and registration state
• Whether a Wisconsin trail pass is required
• Whether the required pass is displayed on that machine
• The trails or routes the group plans to use
• Any local access or operating restrictions that apply

If one machine has Wisconsin registration and the other is registered out of state, do not assume they will follow the same process. Confirm the current pass rules for the out-of-state machine and the public-use status of the Wisconsin-registered one. If a registration category or pass requirement is unclear, confirm it with the Wisconsin DNR before the ride rather than trying to resolve it at a trailhead.

Avoiding common second-machine mistakes

The most reliable rule is simple: match the registration and any required pass to each individual machine. Several assumptions can lead to trouble:

• “I bought a pass, so the group is covered.” A pass is not a group credential. Check each machine that will be ridden.
• “The pass can move between machines.” Do not transfer a decal or treat one machine’s pass as permission for another. Follow the DNR’s instructions for the specific pass and machine.
• “Both machines are registered in the same state, so the rules are identical.” They may have different registration types or records. Verify each one.
• “The machine is only a backup.” If the second machine is ridden on a trail, its own requirements matter, even if it is used only briefly.
• “A pass means I can ride anywhere.” Pass requirements and trail access are separate. Check whether the trail is open and whether the machine is allowed there.
• “The owner already checked.” That may be true, but verify that the pass or registration applies to the machine you are actually using.

Also check the expiration and display instructions before leaving. A pass that is valid for one machine or one period may not resolve a mismatch in the machine’s registration, and an incorrectly displayed decal may be difficult to verify on the trail. For application and display details, see Buying a Wisconsin Trail Pass Online and When a Wisconsin Trail Pass Expires. Because requirements and available pass options can change, confirm current details with the Wisconsin DNR before purchasing.

If your second machine is not eligible for the pass you expected, pause and clarify the issue before riding. A different registration category, an expired record, or incomplete transfer paperwork can change what needs to be done. For a machine coming from another state, Wisconsin Registration for an Out-of-State Machine may help separate registration questions from the trail-pass question.

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.