The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries requirements for online boating safety courses changed effective January 1, 2009 and the NEW Boat Virginia Online Course meets those requirements. The old Boat Virginia course and test does not meet those requirements and was discontinued on December 31, 2008.

• Take the NEW Boat Virginia Online Course!
• Or, you can order the Boat Virginia Video Course

The course material below remains as a resource for all who boat on Virginia's waters—particularly experienced boaters who need a refresher, but not a boater education certificate.

Your Vessel's Certificate of Number and Decal

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Virginia, you must have a Certificate of Number (registration) and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on the public waters of Virginia. The only exceptions are:

• Non-motorized vessels
• Vessels properly registered in another state and on Virginia waters for 90 or fewer consecutive days
• Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
• Vessels operating under valid temporary registration

The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application form and fee to:

Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
Boat Section
P. O. Box 11528
Richmond, VA 23230-1528

Application forms are available from marine dealers, offices of the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), DMV Service Centers, and agents who sell fishing and hunting licenses. Forms also may be downloaded from the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries website.

You must sign the original Certificate of Number (pocket-sized registration card) upon receipt and carry it on board whenever the vessel is operated.

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

• Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow.
• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high vertical BLOCK letters.
• Number's color must contrast with its background.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen; for example, VA 4696 AF or VA-4696-AF.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
• Decals must be affixed to each side of the vessel within six inches of, and in line with, the registration number. Expired decals must be removed.

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

PWCs also are required to display the certificate's number and validation decal.

Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel

• Vessels propelled by a motor (including gasoline, diesel, and electric motors) and sail-powered vessels over 18 feet in length must be titled.
• A Certificate of Number expires every three years. Renewal notices are mailed to all owners of previously registered vessels 60 days before expiration. The registration number assigned to your vessel remains the same.
• If you change your address; if you sell, abandon, or destroy your vessel; or if your vessel is stolen, you must contact VDGIF within 15 days.
• If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or decal, you must apply to the VDGIF 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's Documentation Center at
  1-800-799-8362 for more information. (Read more about obtaining the U.S. Coast Guard's Certificate of Documentation.)

Documented Vessels—Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard cannot be titled, but the owner of a documented vessel may apply to VDGIF for state validation decals.

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.