Additional State Boating Regulations

METHOD OF REGISTRATION:

All boats with motors, including electric trolling motors, operating on the waters of the state, must be registered and numbered.  Boat registration applications are available from most boat dealers, from any Wildlife and Fisheries district office in Alexandria, Monroe, Minden, Ferriday, Lake Charles, Opelousas, New Orleans, and from main headquarters (Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Motorboat Section, PO Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898).  Phone:  765-2898.

Specific instructions on the application explain how to fill out the form.  Read these instructions and follow them carefully.  All blanks must be filled in correctly or the application will be returned.  Incomplete or incorrect applications may cause a delay in your boat registration.

The fee for a first-time boat registration is $15.00.  After completing the application, mail it with your check or money order to the main headquarters for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  Allow six to eight weeks for processing.   There is a $1 postage and handling fee for all transactions.

Upon receipt and approval of your application, the Department will issue you a certificate of number, stating the number assigned to the boat and two decals.  Every certificate of number awarded is valid for three years.

Your boat registration certificate must be on board the vessel at all times.   It is wise to keep a copy of it on board in a waterproof container and the original in a safe place where it can be readily found by the owner.  The original registration certificate is as important as the pink slip to automobile registration.

DISPLAY OF NUMBER AND DECALS:

The number assigned (and no other) shall be painted on or attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel's hull.  It should be placed so it is clearly visible and legible.  The letters and numbers must be of a plain block design and good size, not less than 3 inches high, and of a color which will contrast with the hull for maximum visibility and legibility, (light numbers on a dark hull or vice versa).  The number and letters must be vertical (not slanted) and plain (not script or varying in thickness).   Border, outline, or "shadowing" must be disregarded in determining height or color contrast.  Between the prefix, the numerals, and the suffix there must be a hyphen or space.  The hyphen or space must be at least the width of a number (except "1") or any letter (except "I").  Examples of correct number display are:

LA-123-AB or LA 123 AB

Decals received from the Department must be attached to each side of the vessel's bow within six inches of the numbers.

EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL:

Boat registrations expire on the date stated on the registration certificate.   Certificates of number must be renewed within 60 days of the expiration date.   Application for renewal can be done on the same form used for new, duplicate, transfer, or change of address procedures, by checking the box labeled "Renewal."  The renewal fee is $10.00.

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP:

Certificates of number that have not expired or been cancelled can be transferred.   For instance, this means that if you sell your boat, the new owner does not obtain new boat numbers but a transfer of the original boat registration numbers and certificate to his name.

When a boat is sold, the Department must be notified within 15 days of the  date of the transaction.  The regular registration application should be used for this purpose.  The fee for transferring a certificate of number is $5.00.

On a transfer application you must include the Louisiana registration number, and proof of ownership from the previous owner.  This may be the certificate of number card with the re-assignment of ownership on the reverse side completed and signed by the prior owner stating he sold the boat to you.

DUPLICATE CERTIFICATES:

If a certificate is lost or destroyed, the boat owner must notify the Department in writing within 15 days, describing the circumstances of the loss.  In addition to this report, the owner must fill out the regular boat registration form and check the box for duplicate copy.  The fee for a duplicate certificate is $5.00.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

The law requires that the Department be notified within 15 days of any change in the mailing address of the owner of a vessel registered with the state.  Again, the regular boat registration application form should be filled out and the box for change of address checked.  The cost for a certificate of number showing the address change is $5.00.

The law requires that the Department be notified within 15 days of any change in the mailing address of the owner of a vessel registered with the state.  Again, the regular boat registration application form should be filled out and the and the box for change of address checked.  The cost for a certificate of number showing the address change is $5.00.

TAX PAYMENT CERTIFICATES:

Louisiana law requires that, before registration, all vessels (old and new) purchased from a boat dealer in Louisiana or a boat coming in from out of state must show proof that all necessary sales taxes have been paid.  A special tax payment certification form must therefore be filled out correctly, signed, and returned to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries along with the registration application.

The certification must be signed by either the dealer, builder,or by a Revenue Deputy of the Department of Revenue in the case of a boat brought into Louisiana from another state. Tax certification is not required on casual sales between individuals within Louisiana.

HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:

A hull identification number is a 12-digit combination of letters and numbers located on the outside transom in quarter inch minimum letters.  Any vessel constructed after November 1. 1972, must have this number permanently displayed on the boat by the manufacturer before the boat can be sold.  (Boats manufactured prior to this date will have a metal tag serial number).

All owners or backyard guilders of homemade boats will be assigned a hull identification number by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries when they submit their registration application.

The boating registration application requires a hull identification number.   Without the number, the application will be rejected.  Do not confuse the hull identification number with the boat registration numbers that are displayed on the bow.

It is a violation of Federal and State law to possess knowingly any vessel or motor from which the hull identification number or serial number has been removed.  Salvage or found vessel, or vessels with no identification markings must be reported immediately to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  Vessels of this type will not be eligible for registration until a physical inspection has been performed by an Enforcement Officer of the Department.