ORV Permits

NPS Photo

For the 2026 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 2026 mail-in permit application will be posted to the website on April 1. Applications from prior years will not be accepted.

Mail-in applications 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.

As always, the Oversands Permit office opens April 10 for in-person permit applications. The permit office is open daily, 8 am - 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. The office closes for the season annually on November 15.

 

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

NOTE 1: ALL SALES ARE FINAL. ONCE PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED, NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED, REGARDLESS OF CORRIDOR CLOSURES.

NOTE 2: YOU 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.

1. The mail-in permit application is for Annual Permits only. 7-day permits must be purchased in-person at the Oversand Permit Station at Race Point Beach.
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 permit application 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 conduct random inspections throughout the season to verify legitmacy of permit, vehicle equipment, and tire sizes.
11. For more information, please call [phone].

 

Mail-In Permit

Click the green button for a link to the annual mail-in permit application. Please read through the guidelines above before submitting an application.

Mail-In Oversand Permit Application

 

How to Get a Permit In-Person

Between April 10 and November 15, bring 4-wheel drive or self-contained vehicle (SCV) to Off-Road Permit Station (Oversands) at Race Point Beach in Provincetown for a vehicle inspection. If you are 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, between April 10 and November 15.. The last permit of the day is issued at 4:15 pm.

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

You must have:

1. All required safety equipment (see list)
2. Valid driver's license and vehicle registration
3. View orientation program film
4. Pay permit fee (All major credit cards and mobile payments accepted. Cash, prepaid debit cards, gift cards are not accepted.)
5. Agree to abide by Cape Cod National Seashore regulations and the "Low and Slow" initiative.

 

Permit Fees

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

ORV Office Information

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: 508-487-2101. This office is staffed daily, 8 am to 4:30 pm, from April 10 through November 15. The last permit of the day is issued at 4:15 pm.

Permit Sales and Procedures

There will be up to 400 7-Day permits active at any time and 3000 annual permits available for purchase. Historically, 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 closures may happen without warning or advance notice.

All permit sales are final. The ORV program does not issue any refunds.

Cape Cod National Seashore is a cashless park. All major credit cards and mobile payments are accepted. The ORV program does not accept cash, pre-paid debit cards, or gift 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.