How Do I Renew My Boat Registration In Virginia?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The registered watercraft owner’s Certificate of Number (Registration) expires

every three years

. Renewal notices are mailed to the last known address of all watercraft owners 45 days before expiration.

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How often must you renew a boat certificate of number in Virginia?

The registered watercraft owner’s Certificate of Number (Registration) expires

every three years

. Renewal notices are mailed to the last known address of all watercraft owners 45 days before expiration.

How do I get new boat stickers?

If you lost your sticker, you can submit a completed Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) form to replace the lost certificates and/or stickers. You can then

mail the forms to DMV

or visit a DMV field office in person.

Do you have to register a boat in Virginia?

In Virginia, you

must have a Certificate of Number (registration)

and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on the public waters of Virginia. The only exceptions are: Non-motorized vessels.

What is Virginia boat registration number?

Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow. Number must be in at least three-inch-high vertical BLOCK letters. Number’s color must contrast with its background. Letters and numbers must be separated from the numbers by a space (VA 4696 AF) or hyphen (

VA-

4696-AF).

Can you drink on a boat in VA?


No person is allowed to operate a watercraft

under the influence of alcohol, narcotic drugs, or other self-administered intoxicants or drugs. Virginia has a “Zero Tolerance” for anyone under 21 years of age. It is unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to operate a boat after consuming alcohol.

What do you have to have on a boat in VA?


LIFE JACKET

REQUIREMENTS IN Virginia

All boaters (including paddlers) are required to carry at least one, Coast Guard approved, Type I, II or III life jacket when operating on Virginia’s waters. Even though adults are not required to wear life jackets at all times while boating, you should always WEAR IT Virginia!

How long does it take to register a boat in VA?


Approximately three weeks

. How do I submit my paperwork and/or fees? You may mail it directly to our mailing address for processing, physically bring it to our Richmond location for processing while you wait, or you may take it to your local VA DMV office.

Where can I find my CF number?

Special CF Numbers (CCR §190.08) are:

Issued only by

the Vessel Section of Registration Processing Unit (RPU) II in DMV headquarters

. Available to vessel agents who call the Vessel Section in RPU II.

How much is boat insurance a year?

How Much Is Boat Insurance? The average cost of boat insurance is

$200 to $500 a year

—although for a really big or expensive boat (like a yacht or sailboat), insurance can cost around 1–5% of the boat’s value. For example, you may pay about $2,500 a year to insure a $100,000 yacht.

Are life jackets required on kayaks in Virginia?

There must be

one wearable (Type I, II, III, or V) USCG approved life jacket for each person on the boat

. The life jacket must be the appropriate size for each intended wearer. … This requirement applies to all boats including paddlecraft (canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards).

Do you have to register a boat with a trolling motor in Virginia?

Do you have to register a kayak with a trolling motor in Virginia?

Yes

. All motorized vessels require a valid certificate of number and validation decal.

Does Virginia require boat insurance?

Boat Insurance Requirements

Although

the law in VA does not mandate that you carry boat insurance

, it does require that you register your vessel with the state and take a boating safety course at the completion of which you will receive a certification.

What stickers do I need on my boat?

Display of Numbers and Stickers

Registration stickers

must be securely affixed three inches aft

of, and in line with, the registration numbers. The number must be visible from each side of the vessel. No other numbers, letters or devices may be placed in the vicinity of the state-assigned number.

Do you have to register kayaks in Virginia?

Do you have to register a kayak in VA?

No, you do not need to register a kayak or canoe if it does not have a motor attached

. Registration is also not required for other non-motorized vessels and sailboats less than 18 feet long.

What is legal for PWC operators?

A

PWC operator must always face forward

. A PWC must be operated in a responsible manner. Maneuvers that endanger people or property are prohibited, including: Jumping a wake with a PWC within 100 feet of another vessel.

Can you get a DUI on a boat in Virginia?

“Boat DWI / DUI” is known as a BUI / BWI: Operating Boat While Intoxicated. Virginia law section 29.1-738 punishes operating a boat while intoxicated with a BAC level of

. 08 or above

, or under the influence of drugs.

Can you carry a gun on a boat in Virginia?


YES

– Without a Permit/License Vehicle carry is allowed in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel and such handgun is secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle or vessel.

Can a passenger Drink on a boat?

Passengers on

a boat can drink alcohol

(not the operator), and it is allowed in most states. … However, excessive alcohol consumption can be dangerous since drunk passengers who are chaotic can distract the boat driver, causing any problems (accidents).

Can you drink a beer while driving a boat?

While

it isn’t illegal to drink alcohol on a boat

, it is against the law to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. The blood alcohol limit for boating is the same as that for driving a car – 0.08%.

Do you have to wear life jacket on boat VA?

Virginia law requires the following with respect to PFDs.

All vessels must have at least one USCG–approved wearable PFD of a proper size for each person on board

. … All vessels 16 feet or more in length must have one throwable device on board, in addition to the required total number of PFDs, and immediately available.

Does a Virginia boating license expire?

The Virginia Boating Safety Certificate

is good for life

and does not need to be renewed.

How do I get a title for a boat trailer in Virginia?

For in-state vehicles or trailers, you will need:

Virginia title with

the “Assignment of Title by Owner”

and “Application for New Owner Certificate of Title and Registration” sections completed or, if the vehicle is new, provide the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin/Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MCO or MSO).

How do I find my boat hull number?

Hull identification numbers are typically

located on the upper right hand part of the transom or aft starboard side in the case of double ended vessels

. On fiberglass boats, they are molded right into the hull itself by the manufacturer. State or Coast Guard assigned numbers may be affixed by a decal or plate.

What is a CF registration number?

What is a CF registration number/ EE reference number for COID? The registration number that you receive after applying for COID is also known as the CF number. The CF registration/ reference number starts

with 990000 followed by 6 unique numbers.

What size are CF numbers?

Number must be in

at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters

. Number’s color must contrast with its background. Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen. For example: CF 5573 JS or CF-5573-JS.

Do you really need boat insurance?


Most states don’t require boaters to purchase insurance for their watercraft

. However, many marinas do require some form of insurance if you wish to use a slip or mooring. Additionally, your bank will require insurance if you are financing the purchase of a boat.

What vessels are exempt from Virginia registration?

Exemptions for boat registration include:


Vessels used only on private waters

.

Canoes and other manually or sail powered vessels

(excludes sail powered vessels less than 18 feet in length even without propulsion) Vessels currently registered in another state and not kept in Virginia for more than 90 consecutive days.

How old do you have to be in VA to drive a boat?

For a personal watercraft, the minimum operator age continues to be

age 16

, except those 14 or 15 year olds who have completed and passed a course can operate.

How much is boat insurance in Virginia?

Generally speaking, boat insurance in Virginia can cost anywhere from

$75-$500+ per year

depending on the items mentioned above. If you own a large boat or yacht, coverage can exceed $1k/yr. It really depends on your boat and how much coverage you would like.

Does boat insurance cover hitting a rock?

Boat Rock Collision Coverage

So

yes

, boat insurance covers you if you hit a rock – as long as you have collision or full coverage insurance. Your insurer will either pay to fix the boat or replace the boat completely if it is deemed a total loss.

Are kayaks considered PWC?

PWC are manufactured by BRP (Sea-Doo®), Kawasaki (JET SKI®), and Yamaha (WaveRunner®). … When the PWC and WJD devices are connected they are considered to be one vessel. Canoes, kayaks, standup paddleboards and rafts all belong to the category of

manually propelled vessel

commonly referred to as paddle craft.

What does a boat less than 20 feet must have?

Federal law mandates that boats of less than 20 feet in length must have

a capacity plate in the steering or helm area

. … It includes the total weight of persons, equipment, stores, fuel, engine assembly and steering controls.

Is a sit on or sit in kayak better?

As far as recreational kayaks go,

sit-on-top models

are the better choice for paddling far from shore, including on the ocean. They won’t fill with water if you capsize, and they are easy to climb back onto if you fall off. Sit-inside recreational kayaks frequently have large cockpits and limited floatation.

Do I need a fire extinguisher in my boat?

The Coast Guard requires boats to have

at least one B-1 marine fire extinguisher

on board. Depending on the size of your boat you may need more than one. Boats less than 26′ have to have at least one B-1 fire extinguisher on board.

Does a trolling motor count as a motorized boat?

Generally,

boats must be registered in their state if

they have a gasoline, diesel or electric motor, including a trolling motor. Personal Watercrafts (PWCs) are considered motorized crafts and needs to be registered in most states.

What numbers go on the side of a boat?

Number

must read from left to right on both sides

of the bow. Number must be in at least three-inch-high bold BLOCK letters. Number’s color must contrast with its background. Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen equal to the letter width: FL 3717 ZW or FL-3717-ZW.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.