Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Your Vessel’s Certificate of Registration and Stickers
Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state.
Yyou must have a Vermont Certificate of Registration and validation
stickers to legally operate any vessel propelled by a motor on
the public waters of Vermont. The only exceptions are:
- Non-motorized vessels
- Vessels registered in other states using Vermont waters for
90 consecutive days or less
- Vessels documented by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
The Certificate of Registration
and validation stickers are obtained by submitting the proper
application and fee to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05603-0001
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Registration
Certificate
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This Certificate of Registration (registration card) must
be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer
whenever the vessel is operated.
The registration number and validation sticker must be displayed
as follows:
- Number must be painted, applied as a sticker, 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 block letters
in a color that contrasts with its background.
- Letters should be separated from the numbers by spaces or hyphens;
for example: VT 3717 ZW or VT-3717-ZW.
- No other number may displayed on either side of the bow.
- Stickers must be displayed on both sides, on the forward half
of the vessel.
If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate
it or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered
and numbered as described above.
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PWCs also are required to display the certificate’s
number and validation stickers. |
Other Facts About Titling and Registering
Your Vessel
- All motorized vessels that are 16 feet long or longer and manufactured
as a 1989 model year or newer must also be titled.
- Registration is valid for one year from the date of issue.
- If you change address or transfer ownership of your vessel,
you must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days
of the change.
- If a registered vessel is lost, stolen, or abandoned, the
owner must report it to local authorities and to the Department
of Motor Vehicles within 15 days.
- If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Registration or
sticker, you must apply for a duplicate and submit a processing
fee.
- Vessels registered in other states using Vermont waters for
30 days or more must obtain and display a Vermont validation
sticker.
- 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. Owners
of documented vessels must obtain and display a Vermont validation
sticker.
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.
If the HIN is missing or nonexistent, such as with a homemade
vessel, apply for an identification number from the Department
of Motor Vehicles.
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