Sticker Strategies: Boating Style In Florida

If you're looking to put stickers on your boat in Florida, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, all motorized vessels on state waterways are required to have a title and registration, which includes a set of identification stickers, from Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The registration number must be displayed on both sides of the bow, above the waterline, in block letters and numbers at least 3 inches high, with a colour that contrasts the hull. The registration decal must be renewed annually and displayed within 6 inches of the registration number on the port (left) side. The decal indicates the year the registration is valid and must be removed when expired.

Registration number decal placement

Florida has strict regulations for the titling and registration of recreational vessels. All motorized vessels on state waterways must be registered and titled. This includes personal watercraft. The registration number is permanent and remains with the vessel as long as it is in Florida.

The registration number must be painted or affixed as a decal to both sides of the bow, above the waterline. It must be placed within six inches of the registration number, either before or after it, on the port (left) side of the vessel. The number must be in block letters and numbers, at least three inches high, with a space or hyphen between the letters and numbers. The colour of the number must contrast with the hull and be clearly readable.

The registration decal must be renewed annually and should be displayed clearly, showing the expiration date. It should be removed when expired.

To apply a decal, first clean the surface and then wet it with a solution of 95% water and 5% soap. Next, place a strip of painter's tape to ensure the decal is straight. Peel off the backing and apply the decal, smoothing it out with a paint scraper. Finally, slowly peel back the wax paper, being careful not to remove the letters.

Registration number format

The registration number must be displayed on the forward half of your vessel, well above the waterline. It must be painted or applied as a decal, in a place where law enforcement officials can clearly read it.

The registration number must be in BLOCK-style letters and numbers, at least 3 inches in height, and in a colour that contrasts with the hull. The number must be displayed on both sides of the bow and read from left to right. Letters and numbers must be separated by a space or hyphen, for example, 'FL 4252 AF' or 'FL-3534-AF'.

The validation decal must be displayed on the port (left) side of the vessel, within 6 inches of the registration number, either in front of or behind it. The decal must also be in line with the numbers and show the expiration date.

Registration number application

To apply for a vessel registration in Florida, you must submit proof of ownership (e.g. manufacturer's certificate of origin, builder's contract, bill of sale, etc.) to a county tax collector or license plate agent and pay the applicable fee. Check the FLHSMV website for a full breakdown of required fees. There are fee reductions available for recreational vessels equipped with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and owners who have a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

The registration number must be displayed on both sides of the bow and placed where it can be observed clearly. The number must be in at least three-inch-high bold BLOCK letters, with the letters separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen equal to the letter width. For example, "FL 3717 ZW" or "FL-3717-ZW". The number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed, and it must contrast in colour with its background.

The registration number issued to a vessel is permanent and remains with the vessel as long as it is operated or stored in Florida, even if the ownership changes. The number must be maintained in a readable condition.

In addition to the registration number, a decal must be displayed on the port (left) side of the vessel. This decal indicates the year in which the registration is valid and must be affixed within six inches of the registration number. Decals from expired registrations must be removed.

Hull identification number

In Florida, all registered and/or titled vessels operating on Florida waters must display their assigned hull identification number (HIN). This is usually branded into the vessel by the manufacturer, but if there is no manufacturer's HIN, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) will assign one.

The HIN must be permanently affixed to the outboard side of the transom or, if there is no transom, the outermost starboard side at the end of the hull, above the waterline. The hull identification number must be carved, burned, stamped, embossed, or otherwise permanently affixed to the hull. The characters of the HIN must be of no less than 12 numbers and letters and no less than ¼ inch high. The hull identification number must be clearly displayed, and it is illegal to operate a vessel without it.

Vessels manufactured before 1972 were not required to have a HIN assigned by the manufacturer, and homemade vessels do not have a HIN. However, FLHSMV requires all registered and titled vessels to display a HIN. If your vessel does not have a manufacturer's HIN, the FLHSMV will assign one.

Registration certificate

To operate a boat legally in Florida, you are required to obtain a Certificate of Registration and a validation decal. The Certificate of Registration is valid for one or two years, depending on the owner's preference, and the decal must be renewed annually.

The Certificate of Registration must be kept on board the boat at all times while it is in operation and stored in a safe place where it can be easily accessed by a law enforcement officer for inspection. It is recommended to keep the certificate in a sealable plastic bag in a dry place.

The registration number must be displayed on both sides of the bow of the boat, above the waterline. The number can be painted or applied as a decal and must be in bold, BLOCK-style letters that are at least 3 inches high. The colour of the number must contrast with the colour of the boat, and the letters and numbers must be separated by a space or hyphen.

In addition to the registration number, a decal indicating the year of valid registration must be displayed on the port (left) side of the boat, within 6 inches of the registration number. This decal must be renewed annually and old decals from expired registrations must be removed.

Frequently asked questions