Get Aluminum Boat Plates: Texas Requirements And Steps

If you're looking to obtain plates for an aluminum boat in Texas, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, you'll need to register your boat and obtain a Texas title for it. This can be done online, by mail, or in person at a TPWD Law Enforcement field office or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector office. You'll need to provide the necessary forms, application fees, supporting documents, and pay any boat/outboard motor taxes due. Keep in mind that photo identification is required to process the transaction.

Registering an out-of-state boat in Texas

If you're bringing a boat into Texas that's already registered in another state, you can operate it for up to 90 consecutive days with your current out-of-state registration. After that, you'll need to register it with Texas Parks and Wildlife.

To register your boat in Texas, you'll need to complete certain forms and submit them, along with any required fees and taxes, to Texas Parks and Wildlife. The specific forms you'll need depend on the type of boat you have. For example, if you're registering a new boat, you'll need to submit a PWD 143 - Vessel/Boat Application form. If you have a motorboat, you may also need to complete the PWD 144 - Outboard Motor Application form. You can find the full list of forms on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

In addition to submitting the completed forms, you'll also need to provide any required fees, taxes, and supporting documents. The cost of registration depends on the length of your boat:

• Less than 16 feet in length (Class A): $32
• 16 feet but less than 26 feet in length (Class 1): $53
• 26 feet but less than 40 feet in length (Class 2): $110
• 40 feet or more in length (Class 3): $150

You have several options for submitting your registration application:

• By mail: Mail your completed forms, along with any required fees and supporting documents, to TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744. Be sure to track your package and keep original copies of all documentation.
• In person: Schedule an appointment at a Texas Parks and Wildlife law enforcement office or your local tax collector's office.

It's important to note that Texas Parks and Wildlife cannot process a Texas boat trailer registration, so you'll need to contact your local tax collector's office for assistance with trailer registration.

Renewing boat registration

Renewing your boat registration in Texas is a straightforward process, and you have several options to choose from. Here is a detailed guide to help you renew your boat registration:

When to Renew:

You can renew your registration as early as 90 days before your current registration expires. Keep an eye out for a renewal notice by mail, which you should receive before your registration expires.

Online Renewal:

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) encourages boat owners to renew their registration online as it is the quickest and most convenient method. To renew online, go to the TPWD or Texas Online website. After renewing, you can legally operate your vessel for up to 45 days before receiving your new registration decals. Remember to print and carry the receipt during this time.

Renewal by Mail:

If you prefer, you can renew your registration by mail. Return the green renewal notice that you receive, along with a check or money order for the registration fee, using the envelope provided. Alternatively, you can use the Vessel/Boat Records Maintenance Form (PWD 143M) and mail it to TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744.

Renewal in Person:

You also have the option to renew your registration in person. Visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Headquarters in Austin or any TPWD field office throughout the state. These offices are typically open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Remember that only the owner of record can renew the registration. If someone else is renewing on your behalf, you must complete a Letter of Authorization form (PWD 581).

Fees:

The cost of renewing your boat registration in Texas depends on the length of your boat. For boats less than 16 feet, the fee is $32. For boats between 16 to 26 feet, it's $53; for 26 to 40 feet, the fee is $110; and for boats over 40 feet, you'll pay $150. There may also be additional fees, such as a title fee, so be sure to check the current rates on the TPWD website.

Registration Validity:

Once you renew your registration, it will be valid for two years. Remember to mark your calendar and renew again before it expires to avoid any penalties for late renewal.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your boat registration in Texas is up to date, allowing you to enjoy your boating experiences in the Lone Star State without any worries!

Replacing a lost or destroyed title

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is responsible for issuing replacement titles for boats in Texas. The process for obtaining a replacement title depends on whether the boat has a lien on it and whether you are applying for the replacement online, in person, or by mail.

Online Application

If your boat does not have a lien on it, you can apply for a replacement title online through the TPWD or Texas Online website. You will need the following information:

• Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card
• Identification number (TX Number) from the TPWD, consisting of four digits and two letters
• Primary owner's last name and business name, if applicable
• Serial or title number, consisting of a mix of 12 digits and letters
• Identification numbers from a driver's license, ID, and date of birth or Employer Identification Number

In-Person or Mail Application

If your boat has a lien on it, or you prefer to apply in person or by mail, you can do so at ## Replacing a Lost or Destroyed Title for a Boat in Texas

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is responsible for issuing replacement titles for boats in Texas. The process for obtaining a replacement title depends on whether the boat has a lien on it and whether you are applying for the replacement online, in person, or by mail.

Online Application

If your boat does not have a lien on it, you can apply for a replacement title online through the TPWD or Texas Online website. You will need the following information:

• Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card
• Identification number (TX Number) from the TPWD, consisting of four digits and two letters
• Primary owner's last name and business name, if applicable
• Serial or title number, consisting of a mix of 12 digits and letters
• Identification numbers from a driver's license, ID, and date of birth or Employer Identification Number

In-Person or Mail Application

If your boat has a lien on it, or you prefer to apply in person or by mail, you can do so at TPWD headquarters in Austin, one of the TPWD's field offices, or a county tax assessor-collector office in your area. You will need to submit the following:

• Completed form PWD 143M for a vessel/boat, or form PWD 144M for an outboard motor
• Required fees, which are $27 for a standard replacement title

The standard processing time for replacement titles is 21 days. If you need your title sooner, you can pay an additional fee for expedited processing, which will take about one day.

Boat tax exemption

The following entities are exempt from paying taxes on boats and boat motors in Texas:

• Volunteer fire departments
• The federal government
• Texas state agencies
• Texas cities, counties, and other political subdivisions

Additionally, boats and boat motors that meet the following criteria are also exempt from taxation:

• Removed from Texas within 10 days of purchase
• Placed in a permitted repair facility for repairs or modifications within 10 days of purchase and removed from Texas within 20 days of the completion of the repairs or modifications
• Purchased with a temporary use permit, and the boat or boat motor is removed from Texas within 90 days of purchase

The state of Texas also imposes a tax on the retail sale of boats and boat motors. The tax rate is 6.25% of the taxable value, which includes the total amount paid for the boat or boat motor, accessories attached before or at the time of sale, transportation costs before the sale, and any applicable excise taxes. The taxable value can be reduced by the amount of any trade-in.

For boats purchased outside of Texas and brought into the state, a use tax is imposed. This use tax is also 6.25% of the taxable value, with a credit given for any sales or use tax legally paid in another state. If you are a new Texas resident bringing a boat into the state, a $15 use tax is assessed instead of the regular 6.25% rate.

It is important to note that the tax is imposed on boats that are 115 feet or less in length, measured in a straight line from the tip of the bow to the stern. This includes sailboats, inboards, outboards, and personal watercraft. The tax also applies to gasoline or diesel internal combustion boat motors. Electric motors are generally exempt from taxation unless attached to a taxable boat and sold together as a single unit.

Boat registration requirements

In Texas, all motorized vessels, regardless of length, including any sailboat with an auxiliary engine (motorized boats include boats propelled by a trolling motor), and all non-motorized vessels (including sailboats) 14 feet in length or longer, must be registered. USCG-documented vessels are also required to be registered.

Registration may be renewed up to 90 days before the expiration date. The owner on TPWD record may renew registration online, by mail, or in person at a TPWD Law Enforcement field office or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector office in their area. Only the owner of record can renew the registration. If someone else is renewing on their behalf, the owner of record must complete a Letter of Authorization form PWD 581.

For online renewals, the owner may legally operate the vessel for a period not exceeding 45 days from the date stated on the receipt. They must print and carry the receipt during this time period before receiving the registration decals. USCG-documented vessels are not eligible for online registration renewal.

To renew by mail, the owner must mail the required fee in the form of a check or money order with the renewal notice in the provided envelope or a completed Vessel/Boat Records Maintenance form PWD 143M or a signed written request to TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744.

To renew in person, the owner must present either the renewal notice or a completed PWD 143M form at a TPWD Law Enforcement field office or a participating County Tax Assessor-Collector office in their area. Credit and debit cards are not accepted at TPWD locations. Acceptance of credit and debit cards at County Tax Assessor-Collector locations is at the discretion of each individual tax office.

The following vessels are exempted from registration:

• All non-motorized canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, or rubber rafts (regardless of length)
• Other vessels under 14 feet in length when paddled, poled, oared, or windblown
• USCG-documented commercial vessels used in coastal shipping
• Vessels exceeding 115 feet in length

Frequently asked questions