Additional State Boating Regulations

REGISTRATION:

Before planning your first outing, be familiar with the laws and regulations.   These include boat numbering, registration and titling, and safety equipment.   Some states have additional requirements, so check with state boating officials if you travel or move.

In Idaho, sailboats and motorboats must be registered and numbered.  Boats properly registered in another state may use Idaho waters up to 60 consecutive days before Idaho numbers are required.

Boats that do not have to be registered include boats propelled manually (rafts, kayaks, etc.), sailboards, documented vessels and float tubes.

Large boats (32 feet and longer) can be documented with the federal government instead of state registration.  Check with the Coast Guard for more information.  The toll free documentation hot line is 1-800-799-8362.

Apply for your boat registration with Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.   New boats can also be registered by visiting a local boat licensing vendor or county assessor's office.  You will receive a registration number for your boat and two validation decals.

Your boat registration will expire on December 31 each year.  The registration fees are as follows:

• Boats 0-12 feet in length:  $13.00
• Boats over 12 feet in length:  $13.00 plus $2/foot over 12 feet
• Boats owned by non-profit organizations:  $2.00 (a vendor fee will be added to the aforementioned cost)

Your certificate of registration must be on board and registration validation sticker must be up to date anytime your boat is on the water.  Remove old validation stickers. 

A boat owner must contact the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation within 15 days of a change of address, sale, destruction, abandonment or theft of boat.

HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:

Boats must have a Hull Identification Number (HIN).  It must be permanently attached to the transom on the starboard side, above the waterline.  This number is like the vehicle identification number on a car.  Boats also have the HIN permanently attached in a second, unexposed location.  Record your HIN number, and keep it in a safe place away from the boat.  It may assist police in identifying your boat should it be stolen.  Also, it will be necessary to have the HIN to number your boat in most states.

PROPER DISPLAY OF BOAT NUMBERS:

1. The figures are to read from left to right.
2. They must be displayed on the forward half of each side of the bow of the boat.
3. Numbers must be in bold, block letters of good proportion.
4. Numbers must be not less than three inches high.
5. They must be of contrasting color to the boat hull or background.
6. They must be as high above the waterline as practical.
7. No number other than the number assigned can be displayed on the forward half of the vessel.
8. Letters must be separated from the numbers by spaces or hyphens.
9. Attach the validation sticker on each side of the bow directly in line with the boat's registration number.