Laws and Safety Equipment

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REGISTRATION AND TITLING

Generally, every sail-powered vessel over eight feet in length and every motor-driven vessel (regardless of length) that is not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard which is used or on the waters of this state are subject to registration by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The vessel must be located in California.

Vessels previously registered in other states must be registered in California within 120 days of being brought into the state, if it will be used upon California waterways the majority of the time.

The term vessel applies to every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except the following:

• A seaplane on the water.
• A watercraft specifically designed to operate on a permanently fixed course and guided by a mechanical device that restricts the watercraft's movement to the fixed course.
• A floating structure that is designed and built to be used as a stationary waterborne residential dwelling, which, (a) does not have and is not designed to have a mode of power of its own, (b) is dependent for utilities upon a continuous utility linkage to a source originating on shore, and (c) has a permanent, continuous hookup to a shoreside sewage system.

Any vessel that is used or moored on California waterways, including private lakes, must be registered.

The following vessels do not have to be registered in California:

• Vessels propelled solely by oars or paddles.
• Nonmotorized sailboats that are eight feet or less in length.
• A ship’s lifeboat (a dinghy is not a lifeboat).
• Vessels currently and lawfully numbered (registered) by another state that are principally used outside California.
• Vessels brought into California for racing purposes only (exempted only during races and tune-ups).

NOTE: Commercial vessels of five net tons or more, or 30 feet or more in length must be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Required Documents

The documents required to register and title a new vessel or a vessel being registered for the first time are: Application for Vessel Certificate of Number (BOAT 101).

Proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale, certificate of origin, bill of lading, invoice, or out-of-state title.

or

A bond for the vessel value if proof of ownership cannot be provided and the vessel's value is $2,000 or more.

NOTE: If your vessel is located at an address other than your residence address, you must show the vessel location on the application.

You may register your vessel at any DMV office or mail your registration application (Boat 101) to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001
Attn: Vessel Section

NOTE: The vessel trailer must also be registered and is separate from the vessel registration. The trailer is no longer required to be registered annually.

Fees

• The fee to register and title a new vessel is $9.
• The fee to register a vessel that was previously registered in another state or country is $37.
• Use tax based on the purchase price may also be due. Use tax is based on new registered owner's county of residence.

NOTE: The registration fees must be paid prior to placing the vessel on California waters to avoid penalties.

Vessel Registration Number

The vessel registration number (CF number) issued by the DMV must be displayed as follows:

Painted on or permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel. Be in plain vertical block characters of not less than three inches in height. Be arranged so that it reads from left to right. Contrast with the color of the background so that it is distinctly visible and legible. Have spaces or hyphens that are equal to the width of a letter other than "I" or a number other than "1" between the prefix and the number, and the number and the suffix.

Example: CF 1234 AA or CF-1234-AA

Hull Identification Numbers

A hull identification number (HIN) must be displayed on all vessels registered in California. The HIN must be:

• Permanently affixed to the vessel in such a way that its alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious.
• Assigned and affixed by manufacturers to commercially built vessels.
• Assigned by the DMV to homemade vessels.

Registration Renewal

You must renew your vessel registration by December 31 of every odd-numbered year (i.e., 2003, 2005, etc.) regardless of use. DMV mails a renewal notice approximately 60 days prior to the expiration date.

The DMV issues a Certificate of Number (registration certificate) and a pair of registration stickers to identify a vessel as currently registered.

• Registration stickers must be securely affixed to each side of the vessel three inches aft of and directly in line with the registration numbers and must be clearly visible at all times.
• Do not place any numbers, letters, or devices in the proximity of the registration sticker.
• If you lost the title, complete an Application for Duplicate Title (REG 227). If you lost the Certificate of Number or sticker, complete an Application for Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) to replace the lost certificates or sticker. For DMV vessel forms click here.

Invalid Certificate of Number

A Certificate of Number becomes invalid when:

• The vessel is required to be documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.
• The vessel owner transfers ownership.
• The vessel is destroyed or abandoned.
• The vessel is no longer used primarily in California.