Beach Driving Tips

Beach Driving Rules & Regulations

Vehicles are required to use driving lanes adjacent to the dune line between Milepost 14.5 and Milepost 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. beginning the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.

All other times, use driving lanes adjacent to the dune line or at the shoreline.

• Air down all tires prior to accessing the off road (4×4) ramp. Recommended tire pressure pounds per square inch (PSI):
  • 20 per square inch (PSI) for SUV’s & ½ ton 4X4
  • 35 per square inch for ¾ ton 4X4
  • Air stations are located at the Historic Corolla Park.
• Use 4-wheel drive (4WD) when entering the ramp and maintain a slow, steady speed. If your vehicle is not equipped with 4-wheel drive, do not attempt to drive on the beach.
• Do not stop or park on the beach ramp area.
• The speed limit is 35 miles per hour (mph). The speed limit is 15 miles per hour when traveling within 300 feet of any person.
• Gas tanks should be full – there are NO gas stations on 4X4 areas.

The Beach is a Public Vehicular Access Area:

• There shall be no lawn chairs, coolers, fishing lines or any other items blocking the foreshore in any manner that restricts public safety and emergency response vehicular movement in a north-south direction along the water’s edge.
• Share the road. Watch for pedestrians, horses, and other wildlife.
• All vehicles driven on the beach and roads behind the dunes must be registered, properly licensed, and insured.
• Driving in the surf or driving in a repeated circular motion are examples of careless and reckless driving.
• After dark, the entire beach including parking areas become driving lanes.
  • Remove all personal items (beach chairs, nets, poles, ropes, etc.)
  • Level all sand structures (sandcastles, holes, etc.) to ensure the safety of night drivers.

Beach Parking Permits

Vehicles MUST have a county-issued Beach Parking Permit properly displayed to park on the beach from the last Saturday of April through the first Saturday in October.

• ALL County Residents and Nonresident Property Owners: Use CURRITUCK ACCESS PERMIT as a beach parking permit.
• County Residents and Nonresident Property Owners located in the 4×4 Area with a dwelling may obtain 2 additional beach parking permits from the Corolla Visitors Center.

Rental Homes in the 4-Wheel Drive Area:

• If the house is in a rental program, the rental management company will distribute the guest permits to renters. Permits are provided to the rental companies by the county.
• If the property owner rents the house, the property owner must obtain permits from the Corolla Visitors Center. (2 per house)
• Visitors renting in the 4-Wheel Drive Area: Contact rental company or property owner with any questions. 2 parking permits should be provided.
• Visitors NOT renting in the 4-Wheel Drive Area:
  • May purchase a weekly Beach Parking Permit through the county website
  • Limited to 300 per week. Permits are $50 each.

currituckcountync.ticketspice.com/currituckbeachparking

These Beach Parking Permits are for the Currituck County Off Road ONLY

The permit system does not apply to:

• County vehicles
• Emergency vehicles
• Any government agency conducting beach restoration
• Scientific research
• Animal protection
• Commercial fishermen
• Actively engaged outdoor tour operators
• Hunters using State or Federal land located within the The Northern Outer Banks.

Parking on the Beach

• All vehicles shall be parked in the middle of the beach strand and not obstruct the traffic lane.
• Parking is prohibited for the first 1.5 miles North of the 4X4 ramp.
• No beach chairs, coolers, fishing lines, or other items should be placed in a location that blocks the traffic lanes. This may involve moving vehicles and belongings with the tide change.
• Visitors should not leave any unattended property on the beach. Any property remaining between sunset and sunrise shall be considered litter and is subject to removal and disposal.
• Walking on or traversing the dunes outside of the defined dune walkover beach access points is illegal.
• Help keep the The Northern Outer Banks beautiful for everyone by removing all trash when you leave.

Visit the Currituck County Travel & Tourism website
for more information about the beaches and local attractions.

• Beach Parking Permits
• Vehicles MUST have a county-issued Beach Parking Permit properly displayed to park on the beach from the last Saturday of April through the first Saturday in October.
  • ALL County Residents and Nonresident Property Owners: Use CURRITUCK ACCESS PERMIT as a beach parking permit.
  • County Residents and Nonresident Property Owners located in the 4×4 Area with a dwelling may obtain 2 additional beach parking permits from the Corolla Visitors Center.

  Rental Homes in the 4-Wheel Drive Area:

  • If the house is in a rental program, the rental management company will distribute the guest permits to renters. Permits are provided to the rental companies by the county.
  • If the property owner rents the house, the property owner must obtain permits from the Corolla Visitors Center. (2 per house)
  • Visitors renting in the 4-Wheel Drive Area: Contact rental company or property owner with any questions. 2 parking permits should be provided.
  • Visitors NOT renting in the 4-Wheel Drive Area:
    • May purchase a weekly Beach Parking Permit through the county website
    • Limited to 300 per week. Permits are $50 each.

  currituckcountync.ticketspice.com/currituckbeachparking

  These Beach Parking Permits are for the Currituck County Off Road ONLY

• Air Down Ordinance | No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle on the beach strand or foreshore with tires containing air pressure exceeding the following pounds per square inch (p.s.i.): (1) Twenty p.s.i. for motor vehicles with curb weight of less than 5,000 pounds; (2) Tire p.s.i. not greater than that required for safe travel for motor vehicles with curb weight greater than 5,000 pounds.
• Air Down Location | Motorists should pull over to air down tires at the Corolla Village Road public access facility, which is located on the east side of N.C. 12.
• Air Up Location | After leaving the beach, motorists may air up tires at Historic Corolla Park, which is located on the west side of N.C. 12. Enter at main park entrance and turn right into parking lot. Air stations are located at the end of the lot near the picnic pavilion.
• Beach Driving Lane Shift to Dune Line | The beach traffic lane will shift from the foreshore to a lane adjacent to the dune line only in the area 1.5 miles north of the beach access ramp to Mile Post 17.
• Do Not Block the Traffic Lane | All vehicles shall be parked in the middle of the beach strand and not obstruct the traffic lane. Likewise, no beach chairs, coolers, fishing lines, or other items should be placed in a location that blocks the traffic lanes.
• Remove Your Stuff When You Leave | Visitors should not leave any unattended property on the beach. Any property remaining on the beach between sunset and sunrise shall be considered litter and is subject to removal and disposal.
• Fill Your Holes | Excessive and unsafe digging or piling of sand on the beach is prohibited. Visitors must fill in any holes dug while playing on the beach to prevent safety hazards for those traveling on the beach.