Andrew Pace
If you own a boat in California, it's important to know the rules and regulations for registering and displaying your vessel's registration number and sticker. In California, boats over 8 feet long or motorboats of any size that are undocumented must be registered with the DMV. Once registered, you'll receive a certificate, a decal, and a registration number and sticker, which must be displayed in a specific way. This includes placing the registration number and sticker on each side of the bow, well above the waterline, with the number clearly visible at all times. The number must be in block characters, at least three inches high, and separated by letters with spaces or hyphens. In addition, if you boat in California's fresh waters, you must also purchase and display a Mussel Fee sticker next to your registration sticker.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where to place the registration sticker | On both sides of the bow, well above the water line |
| Where to place the registration number | On each side of the bow of the registered vessel in a position that is clearly visible at all times |
| How to display the registration number | BLOCK characters, no less than three inches high and contrasting with the background colour of your boat |
| How to separate the letters in the registration number | With a space or a hyphen |
| Direction of reading the registration number | Left to right |
| Where to place the Mussel Fee sticker | Next to your registration sticker |
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What You'll Learn
- Stickers must be placed on both sides of the bow, well above the water line
- The registration number must be clearly visible at all times
- Stickers must be placed in line with the registration number, three inches towards the stern
- Stickers must be block characters, no less than three inches high, and contrast with the background colour of the boat
- Stickers must be renewed every two years
Stickers must be placed on both sides of the bow, well above the water line
In California, if you own a sailboat over 8 ft long or a motorboat of any size that is undocumented (not registered with the U.S. Coast Guard), it must be registered with the DMV before you can operate or moor it on California waterways. Once your vessel is registered with the DMV, you will receive a registration number and sticker, which must be placed on the boat in a specific way. Stickers must be placed on both sides of the bow, well above the water line. They must be in line with the registration number, three inches towards the stern. The registration number must be clearly visible at all times, in BLOCK characters, no less than three inches high and contrasting with the background colour of your boat. If you boat in California fresh waters, you must also purchase and display a Mussel Fee sticker next to your registration sticker.
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The registration number must be clearly visible at all times
To ensure that your boat registration number is clearly visible at all times, there are a few requirements you must follow. Firstly, the number must be placed on each side of the bow of the boat, well above the water line. The characters must be in block format, at least three inches high, and in a colour that contrasts with the background colour of your boat. This will ensure that the number is easily readable from a distance.
Additionally, the letters "CA" must precede the registration number, followed by a space or hyphen and then the rest of the number. For example, "CA 3214 BA" or "CA-3214-BA". This format is important to distinguish California boat registration numbers from those of other states.
The registration stickers must be placed on each side of the boat, in line with the registration number and three inches towards the stern. It is important to note that only valid registration stickers should be affixed to the boat, and expired stickers must be removed. If you boat in California fresh waters, you must also purchase and display a Mussel Fee sticker next to your registration sticker. This sticker matches the registration sticker in colour and date and can be purchased online.
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Stickers must be placed in line with the registration number, three inches towards the stern
In California, if you own a sailboat over 8 ft long or a motorboat of any size that is undocumented (not registered with the U.S. Coast Guard), it must be registered with the DMV before you can operate or moor it on California waterways. Once your vessel is registered with the DMV, you will receive a registration number and sticker, which must be placed on the boat in a specific way.
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Stickers must be block characters, no less than three inches high, and contrast with the background colour of the boat
When registering a boat in California, you will receive a registration number and sticker. The registration number must be placed on each side of the bow of the registered vessel, clearly visible at all times. The sticker must be placed on each side, in line with the registration number three inches towards the stern.
The registration number must be in block characters, no less than three inches high, and must contrast with the background colour of the boat. The letters CA must precede the number, and the number must be separated by letters with a space or hyphen. For example, CA 3214 BA or CA-3214-BA.
Only valid registration stickers should be affixed to the boat, and expired ones should be removed. Vessel registration must be renewed every two years by 31 December of odd-numbered years. If you boat in California fresh waters, you must also purchase and display a Mussel Fee sticker next to your registration sticker.
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Stickers must be renewed every two years
To register your boat, you must complete a BOAT 101 form, provide proof of ownership and pay the applicable fees. You may also need a bill of sale if you bought the boat from an individual. You can register your boat at any DMV field office or send in your application by mail. Once your vessel is registered with the DMV, you will receive a registration number and sticker, which must be placed on the boat in a specific way. The permanent registration number appears on the right-hand side of the certificate, preceded by the letters CA. This number must be placed on each side of the bow of the registered vessel in a position that is clearly visible at all times. The number must be in block characters, no less than three inches high and contrasting with the background colour of your boat. The registration stickers must be placed on each side, in line with the registration number three inches towards the stern. If you boat in California fresh waters, you must purchase and display a Mussel Fee sticker next to your registration sticker.
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Frequently asked questions
Registration stickers must be placed on each side of the boat, in line with the registration number and three inches towards the stern.
You must register your boat with the DMV. To do this, you need to complete a BOAT 101 form, provide proof of ownership and pay the applicable fees. You may also need a bill of sale if you bought the boat from an individual.
Your permanent registration number appears on the right-hand side of the certificate, preceded by the letters CA. This number must be placed on each side of the bow of the registered vessel in a position that is clearly visible at all times. The number must be in BLOCK characters, no less than three inches high and contrasting with the background colour of your boat.
If you boat in California fresh waters such as the Delta, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and streams, you must purchase and display a Mussel Fee sticker next to your registration sticker.
