Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Motorboat's Certificate of Number and Decals

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Arkansas, you must have an Arkansas Certificate of Number (registration) and validation decals to operate a motorboat legally on Arkansas public waters. Exceptions to registration are: Vessels that are not propelled by an engine or by sail Vessels properly registered in another state and using Arkansas waters for 90 or fewer consecutive days Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by presenting the proper application form and fee to the Revenue Office of the county of residence of the owner or the county where the motorboat is principally used. According to Arkansas Code (law), “motorboat” means any vessel operated upon water that is propelled by sail or machinery, whether or not the machinery is the principal source of propulsion.

Certificate of Number The Certificate of Number (pocket-sized registration card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the motorboat is operated.

The registration number and validation decals must be displayed as follows.

• Number must be painted, decaled, or otherwise affixed to the forward half of each side of the motorboat and placed to be clearly visible.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the motorboat.
• Number must be in at least 3-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:AR 3717 ZW, AR-3717-ZW, AR 999 AZZ, or AR-999-AZZ.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Decals must be affixed on each side of the motorboat, toward the stern of the registration number, and 3 inches from and in line with the number.

If your motorboat requires registration, it is illegal to operate it, or allow others to operate it, unless it is registered and numbered as described above.

PWCs also are required to display the certificate’s number and validation decals.

Other Facts About Registering Your Motorboat

• The owner of a motorboat that requires registration must apply for the registration within 30 days of the date of purchase. The motorboat may be operated during this period if the owner has on board a dated proof of purchase.
• A Certificate of Number is valid for three years.
• If an outboard engine is purchased for a previously registered motorboat, the serial number of the engine must be provided to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
• If ownership of a numbered motorboat changes, the new owner must apply to the DFA for transfer of the registration within 30 days of the ownership change.
• If a numbered motorboat is abandoned or destroyed, the owner must notify the DFA within 15 days of the event and the certificate will be terminated.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or decals, you must apply for a duplicate and submit a processing fee.
• Larger recreational vessels, owned by U.S. citizens, may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard. Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more information. Note: Documentation through the USCG does not relieve the owner of his or her responsibility to assess the motorboat for personal property taxes.

Registration Questions? Call the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration at 1-800-662-8247.

Liability Insurance Requirement

All personal watercraft and motorboats powered by engines of more than 50 horsepower must be covered by a liability insurance policy issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Arkansas.

• The policy must provide at least $50,000 of liability coverage per occurrence.
• It is illegal for the owner of such vessels to operate it, or allow others to operate it, unless the vessel has the required insurance.
• The insurance requirement does not apply to vessels properly registered in another state.

Proof of insurance must be carried on board the vessel and be available for inspection if requested by an enforcement officer.

Registration applications for vessels requiring liability insurance must be accompanied by proof of the insurance policy.

Hull Identification Number

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique, 12-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972.

Hull Identification Numbers:

• Distinguish one vessel from another­—the same as serial numbers distinguish one car from another.
• Are engraved in the fiberglass or on a metal plate permanently attached to the transom.

You should write down your HIN and put it in a place separate from your vessel in case warranty problems arise or your vessel is stolen.

Under the Boat Identification Act, it is unlawful for a person to remove, cover, alter, mutilate, or destroy the HIN.