Does a Daniel Boone Annual Pass Cover Two Machines?
If you’re taking two ATVs or UTVs into the Daniel Boone National Forest, don’t assume one annual pass covers both. The pass is tied to an individual off-highway vehicle and cannot be transferred between machines. Plan on a separate pass for each machine, then check the forest’s current instructions for how the pass must be displayed or worn.
Does one annual pass cover two machines?
No. According to the USDA Forest Service, an annual off-highway vehicle pass for the Daniel Boone National Forest is required for each individual OHV and is non-transferable between machines. One pass therefore cannot be moved from one ATV or UTV to another to cover both vehicles.
That distinction matters when you’re organizing a trip. If you bring two machines, each needs its own pass, even if the same person owns both or plans to ride them on different days. A pass assigned to one vehicle does not become valid for another just because the owner is the same.
The Forest Service also says an official OHV recreation pass sticker or rider wristband must be displayed or worn on the specified public lands. Check the current instructions for the pass type you’re using so you know what must be attached to the machine and what, if anything, must be worn by the rider. Don’t assume a receipt, a photo of a pass, or a pass from another vehicle will meet the requirement.
For more on the pass system, see Buying and Using the Daniel Boone Forest OHV Pass and Kentucky Trail Permits Explained. If your trip includes more than one riding area, Why One Park’s Permit Does Not Travel explains why access credentials for one location shouldn’t be assumed to work somewhere else.
| What you’re bringing or relying on | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| One ATV or UTV | An annual Daniel Boone National Forest OHV pass for that machine |
| Two ATVs or UTVs | A separate annual pass for each machine |
| A pass from another machine | Don’t transfer it; the Forest Service says passes are non-transferable between machines |
| A title for the machine | Keep it distinct from the forest pass; a title is not a trail pass |
| A permit from another riding area | Confirm separately whether it is accepted; don’t assume it applies in the forest |
What to arrange before you haul
Start by counting the machines you intend to take, not just the people in your group. If two machines will be used, arrange a pass for each one. If your plans change and you bring a different machine, confirm with the Forest Service how to handle the pass rather than transferring one on your own. The non-transferability rule is the key point to settle before you arrive.
Then check how the pass is issued and what the current display or wear instructions require. The Forest Service recognizes an OHV recreation pass sticker or rider wristband for the specified public lands, but you should follow the current directions for the credential you obtain. Make sure the pass is associated with the correct machine, and that the rider can show or wear any required credential during the trip.
A practical pre-trip check can help prevent a small paperwork mistake from delaying your ride:
- List each ATV or UTV that will be used in the forest.
- Confirm that each machine has its own annual OHV pass.
- Check the current Forest Service instructions for where the sticker must go or when a wristband must be worn.
- Keep any proof of purchase or pass documentation accessible, while remembering that documentation does not make a pass transferable.
- If you’re bringing a replacement machine or changing the vehicle assigned to a pass, ask the Forest Service what to do before relying on that pass.
The Forest Service pass is specific to the Daniel Boone National Forest’s OHV access requirements. It is not a universal Kentucky trail permit. If you’re combining destinations, verify the rules for every riding area on your itinerary. One Daniel Boone Pass, Two Trail Systems and Carrying Four Permits for Four Parks are useful starting points for understanding why credentials can differ across locations. For information about where to obtain a Daniel Boone pass, see Where to Buy a Daniel Boone OHV Pass; confirm the current process with the Forest Service before leaving home.
It’s also sensible to check current access notices before loading. A pass addresses the pass requirement; it does not by itself confirm that a particular route is open or that a machine meets every operating rule. Keep those questions separate: verify access for your planned area, confirm each machine has its own pass, and check that the vehicles and riders meet the applicable rules.
A forest pass is not a title or road registration
Kentucky’s title rules and the Daniel Boone National Forest pass rule serve different purposes. According to the USDA Forest Service, an OHV recreation pass is required for the specified public lands. Separately, the Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says off-road ATVs are titled rather than registered for general state use, and that off-road use does not involve an annual state registration fee. The forest pass is not a substitute for a title, and a title does not replace the forest pass.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, an ATV purchased on or after July 1, 2010, must be titled, with the title application submitted within 15 days of purchase. The Cabinet also says an ATV must be registered if it will be operated on public roadways. For the initial title, there is a one-time application fee; the Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet lists this information as of November 2026. Check the current official requirements for your situation, especially if the machine was bought out of state, has unusual ownership paperwork, or will be used on a roadway. Kentucky ATV Title Paperwork explains the title documents, while Kentucky ATV Title Deadline covers the application timing.
A machine’s title status and its pass status should be checked independently. When preparing for a forest trip, ask: Is the machine properly titled under the applicable Kentucky rules? Does it have its own Daniel Boone National Forest pass? Is that pass being displayed or worn as instructed? Answering one of those questions does not answer the others.
Public-road use is another separate issue. According to the Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky allows an ATV to cross a two-lane public highway only under specified conditions: the crossing must be as close to a 90-degree angle as practical and safe, the ATV cannot travel on the highway for more than two-tenths of a mile, the operator must have a valid operator’s license and obey applicable traffic regulations, the required lights must be illuminated, and the crossing must take place during daylight. A forest pass does not authorize riding along a road or override these rules. See Kentucky Rules for Riding a National Forest for more on the difference between forest access and operating rules.
Check these details for every machine in the group
Before riding, confirm that each ATV or UTV is suitable for the route and complies with the rules that apply to its use. The pass covers access under the forest pass system; it does not waive equipment requirements. According to the Legislative Research Commission, an OHV used on Kentucky public off-highway vehicle trail systems must be equipped with a spark arrestor. Check the machine itself rather than assuming that a pass or a prior trip confirms its equipment is compliant.
Rider and vehicle rules also depend on where and how the machine is operated. According to the Legislative Research Commission, individuals aged 16 or older operating an ATV on public property generally must wear approved protective headgear, subject to specific exceptions such as farming, mining, or logging. The same source says children under six are prohibited from operating an ATV, and parents or guardians may not allow minors under 16 to operate one in violation of the manufacturer’s age-restriction warning labels. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources says passengers are not allowed on single-rider ATVs because riders must follow the manufacturer’s one-person recommendation.
If the group is using a multi-passenger UTV and expects to travel on public roadways, don’t assume that its forest pass makes it road-legal. According to the Legislative Research Commission, street-legal operation of a multi-passenger UTV classified as a special purpose vehicle requires a roll bar or roll cage and a seatbelt assembly for each designated seating position, along with a windshield unless the operator wears eye protection. Public-road equipment and access rules are separate from the forest OHV pass requirement.
The simplest plan is to keep the paperwork and checks for each machine together. Match each machine with its own pass, follow the current display or wear instructions, and confirm the vehicle’s title and equipment status separately. If a machine is swapped after a pass is obtained, contact the Forest Service rather than treating the pass as transferable. That approach avoids the most common misunderstanding: an annual pass is not a group pass for every machine owned or brought by the same rider.
Sources
- Kentucky Transportation Cabinet — Vehicle Titling – Drive KY (checked November 2, 2026)
- Legislative Research Commission — Statute (checked November 2, 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.
