Beach driving is permitted from October 1st through March 15th from dawn to dusk. NO BEACH DRIVING IS ALLOWED ON THE BEACH WITHOUT AN OFFICIAL TOWN OF ATLANTIC BEACH BEACH DRIVING PERMIT. 

Annual beach permits are now available for purchase for $50 (AB residents), $75 (Carteret County residents), and $100 (Outside of Carteret County residents) at Town Hall during regular business hours. County of residency will be based on the registration card. Permits are also available online HERE (purchases made online will be reviewed and processed/mailed the next business day). A valid driver’s license and registration card for a four-wheel-drive vehicle must be presented at the time of purchase. All-wheel drive vehicles and ATV’s are not allowed to drive on the beach at any time. The Police Department is not authorized to tow vehicles from the beach strand.

• AB residents/property owners aged 65 and older may receive one free permit for a four-wheel-drive vehicle registered in their name.
• Handicapped persons, of any age (whether they are Atlantic Beach residents/taxpayers or not), are eligible for one free permit. In addition to providing copies of vehicle registration and driver’s license, handicapped persons must also provide a copy of their handicap placard and DMV registration card for their placard. The four-wheel-drive vehicle which is to be permitted must be registered to the handicapped person.
• Purple Heart Recipients are eligible for one free permit and must provide proof that they have been awarded the decoration.
• Commercial fishermen are eligible for one free PASS and must provide a copy of the front and back of the commercial fishing license. The four-wheel-drive vehicle which is to be permitted must be registered to the Commercial fisherman. This pass is not the beach driving permit but will allow free access to the beach strand while actively commercial fishing.

PURCHASE YOUR BEACH DRIVING PERMIT ONLINE HERE.

The main beach driving entrance/exit is at Henderson Blvd. on the east. The other entrance/exit is at Raleigh Ave. on the west.

All permits purchased online will be mailed. You must wait to receive the permit in the mail and affix it to the windshield prior to driving. The online confirmation and emails do not permit a vehicle to be on the beach strand.