Beginning February 15, 2012 you will need an ORV permit from the National Park Service to be able to drive on the beaches that are a part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
The cost for the permit is $120 for a year and $50 for a week. These are the only types of passes available for the time being.
There are three Park Service permit offices where permits may be obtained:

Coquina Beach in Nags Head
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Visitor Center in Buxton
Ocracoke Visitor Center in Ocracoke

Offices will be open year round, 7 days a week, 8am -4:30pm (closed Christmas Day) with extended hours on weekends and holidays during the summer season.

To get a permit you must bring your valid drivers license and vehicle registration to one of the permit offices. There you will fill out a permit form, view a 7 minute educational video, sign the permit to acknowledge that you understand and agree to abide by the ORV use rules at the park and pay the permit fee.

Vehicles to be permitted must be registered, licensed and comply with inspection requirements for the state, country or province where the vehicle is registered; have no more than 2 axles and have tires that are listed or approved by the USDOT.

Recommended, but not required, equipment to keep in the ORV include a full-sized spare tire, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, trash bag or container, flashlight and tow strap.

There is no limit on the number of permits available.

The permit does not allow ORVs access to beach areas that are closed  by the NPS for any reason.

For a map showing designated driving routes along with restricted areas click here.

The speed limit is 15 MPH unless otherwise posted. When traveling within 100 feet of pedestrians ORVs must slow to 5 MPH. Vehicles must yield to pedestrians and move to the landward side of the beach.

The recommended tire pressure is 20 psi for most vehicles. NPS rangers are not allowed to pull or tow your vehicle. If you get stuck and need assistance your best bet is to call a commercial towing service.

You may tow boat and utility trailers with one or two axles. Trailers with more than two axles are prohibited.

You may not leave your ORV parked on the beach overnight.

No separate permit is needed for night driving.

Certain vehicles besides NPS vehicles may be allowed to be in closed areas:

* Participants in regularly scheduled fishing tournaments if such tournament use was allowed in that area for that tournament before January 1, 2009
* Special permitted ORVs to transport mobility impaired individuals to a predetermined location in a beach area in front of a village that is not otherwise open to ORV use. (Contact 252-473-2111 ext 121 for more information about the mobility impaired transport permit)
* Commercial fishermen with a NPS commercial fishing permit when actively commercial fishing-as long as a beach is not a resource closure or a lifeguarded beach.

Camping trailers are prohibited on ORV routes.

Beach Fire Permits are required to have a fire, including grills, on the beach.
Beach fires are allowed from May 1-November 15 only on ocean beaches in front of Coquina Beach; the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras; and the Ocracoke Day Use Area (Lifeguard Beach).
Fires are prohibited from 10 pm to 6 am year round.
Free Beach Fire Permits are available at ORV permit offices, park campgrounds and visitor centers.

Please remember that pets are allowed on the beach but must be on a 6 foot leash at all times. Pets are prohibited within any resource protection closure or on the beach adjacent to pre-nesting closures.
Please clean up behind your pooch.