Additional State Boating Regulations

The State of Alabama participates in the On-line Boating Safety Course in providing state-specific information to better inform Alabama boaters. The On-line Boating Safety Course does not currently fulfill all of the boating education requirements for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The successful completion of this course does not qualify as an exemption for an Alabama Operator's License, but will serve as an excellent review for state requirements and is free to the public.

(Updated 5/99)

Alabama Law requires all persons age 12 and older that operate a motorized vessel on the waters of the State of Alabama to be licensed. The license requirement becomes effective and enforceable on April 28, 1999. The license must be in possession of the operator at the time of operation. The state has recently granted a six month grace period for enforcement of the licensing law--warnings will be issued instead of fines during this time period.

The following procedures must be followed in order to obtain a boat operator's license:

1. All applicants must go to the Department of Public Safety Driver's License Examiner's Office in the county of residence.
2. Make an application and pay appropriate fee.

3. Answer medical questions.
1. Successfully complete written/oral exam or show proof of exemption from exam.
2. Take the DL2 form to the Probate Judge or License Commissioner's Office to have the "V" endorsement placed on the driver's license. THIS SHOULD BE DONE AT THE TIME OF DRIVER'S LICENSE RENEWAL.

Exemptions from the Written Exam:

1. Holder of US Coast Guard Motorboat Operators License
2. Anyone showing valid certificate of successful completion of any of the following:
1. US Power Squadron Boating Course
2. US Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Course
3. Alabama Boating Basics Course
4. Alabama Boating Basics Home Study Course
3. Any boat operator who was age 40 or older on April 28, 1994. (Note: These individuals are still required to have the "V" endorsement added to their driver's license.)

IMPORTANT: All approved boating course certificates or motorboat operator's license must be presented to the DPS License Examiner at the time of making application for the State Boat Operators License.

Additional information can be obtained by phoning Captain Bob Huffaker, Boat Operators License Section, Alabama Marine Police at (334) 242-3673.

REGISTERING YOUR BOAT:

Alabama registers all mechanically propelled vessels, sailboats, and boat for hire.

Exceptions:

1. A vessel operating under valid temporary certificate of number.
2. A vessel already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to federal law or a federally applied numbering system of another state, provided, that such vessel shall not have been within this state for a period in excess of 90 consecutive days.
3. A vessel under registry from a country other than the U.S. temporarily using the waters of this state.
4. A vessel owned by the U.S., or a state, country, or municipality.
5. A ship's lifeboat.
6. A vessel not propelled by machinery, except sailboats and boats for hire (rental).

DOCUMENTED VESSELS:

Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard as commercial are not required to be registered with the state.  Vessels documented as pleasure are required to register, however, they do not have to display the Alabama registration number on the bow.  The current year decal should be placed in a conspicuous location on the vessel and the certificate shall be on board when in operation.

ALABAMA DOES NOT REQUIRE BOAT TRAILERS TO BE LICENSED AND DOES NOT HAVE A TITLE LAW ON BOATS.

MEASURING THE LENGTH OF YOUR VESSEL:

It is important that you list the exact length of your vessel on the application for registration.  The length is the straight line distance from the foremost part of the boat (bow) to the rearmost part of the boat (stern).  Bowsprits, outboard motors, brackets, rudders and other attachments are not to be included in this measurement.

Boats are divided into four (4) classes as follows:

• Class I - Less than 4.9 meters (16ft)
• Class II - 4.9 meters (16ft) to less than 7.9 meters (26ft).
• Class III - 7.9 meters (26ft) to less than 12.2 meters (40.ft).
• Class IV - 12.2 meters (40ft) and above.

FEES:

First Time and Renewal

• Class I - $11.00 plus $1.00 issuance fee
• Class II - $15.00 plus $1.00 issuance fee
• Class III - $30.00 plus $1.00 issuance fee
• Class IV - $50.00 plus $1.00 issuance fee
• Class V (dealer) $26.00 plus $4.00 for each additional tag

Transfer:  $1.00 plus .25 issuance fee. (Applies to vessels with a current year registration but needs to be
                    transferred into new owner's name.

Transfer/Renewal:  $1.00 plus .25 and the correct class fee; applies to vessels with no current registration
                                    and needs to be transferred into new owner's name.

NOTE:  IF YOUR VESSEL IS BROUGHT INTO ALABAMA FROM ANOTHER STATE, THERE WILL BE NO TRANSFER FEE CHARGED, A NEW ALABAMA NUMBER WILL BE ISSUED.  ALSO, IF PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN ANOTHER STATE, PLEASE SURRENDER LAST STATE REGISTRATION.

Duplicate:  .50 plus .25 issuance fee.  (certificate has either been lost or destroyed)

WHERE TO APPLY:

All boat owners may register, renew, or transfer ownership at their office of county Judge of Probate or License Commissioner.  If not a resident of Alabama, registration can be accomplished at the Marine Police Division office in Montgomery, AL.  All dealer and livery (rental) must register with the Marine Police Division in Montgomery, AL.

Liveries (rental) and dealer licenses can only be issued from the Marine Police Division office in Montgomery.

WHEN TO APPLY:

• There is a 72 hour grace period for the registration of a new boat.
• If you buy a used boat that is currently registered with this state, you must make application for transfer within 15 days.
• If you buy a used boat with an expired registration, you must currently register the boat before it is used.
• If you buy a boat that was used for rental purposes, the old number will have to be removed from the boat and a new one issued.  No transfer will be necessary for this case.

There is no grace period for a used boat.

The Alabama boat registration system is on a staggered basis.  The first letter of an individual's last name determines the month of renewal.  The renewal months in which a vessel owner shall register his vessel(s) are indicated below. 

WHAT IS REQUIRED WHEN YOU SELL YOUR VESSEL:

1. Notify the Marine Police Division within 15 days of sale of vessel, specifying the name and address of the new owner and the registration number assigned to the vessel.
2. Provide new owner with the last registration certificate and a bill of sale.

Notify the Marine Police Division within 15 days when your boat is abandoned, lost, destroyed, or stolen.  Also, any change of address should be reported.

NUMBERING YOUR VESSEL:

Your permanent registration number appears on the right-hand side of the certificate preceded by the letters AL.  The number contains 1 to 4 digits plus the 2-letter suffix following the number.  This number remains with the boat regardless of change of ownership within the state.

The registration number must be placed on each side of the bow of the vessel for which it was purchased, in such a position as will make it clearly visible at all times.   The number must be displayed in three parts with a hyphen or space separating each part, i.e.:  AL-1234-AA, and can be of a color that contrasts with the background of the boat. --  dark on light or light on dark.  Numbers shall be BLOCK characters, not less than 76mm (3 inches) in height, excluding borders and must be of good proportion.  Characters of varying thickness, slanted characters,and scroll-type characters are not acceptable.  No number other than the number issued shall be displayed on either side of the bow.

The validation decal must be affixed within 152mm (6 inches) before or after and in line with the registration number on port and starboard bow.

HOMEMADE VESSELS:

Homemade boats built after 1972 are required to have a hull serial number.

Boat owners registering a homemade vessel shall apply with the Marine Police Division for a hull serial number to affix to the transom of their boat. It is necessary to give the date construction was completed.

HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:

All vessels manufactured after 1972 are required by Federal Law to have a hull identification number affixed to the vessel by the manufacturer.  This 12 digit number is normally located on the outside stern of the vessel on the right side, below the gunwale.  This number must be included on the registration certificate and application for registration.