Woods & Water: Answers to questions on boat registration
Each year the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency received numerous calls from boaters needing information on boat registration. In response, the agency has compiled some of the more frequently asked questions in hopes that your questions may be answered. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for here, visit the agency’s web site at www.tnwildlife.org , contact the regional office of the TWRA at 1-800-262-6704 or drop me an e-mail at twra@blomand.net.
All vessels powered by a motor, trolling motor or sail must be registered. Boats powered by paddles or oars do not have to be registered.
Initial Registration
The Tennessee Department of Revenue requires proof that sales taxes have been paid before the boat’s initial registration. If the boat was purchased from a Tennessee boat dealer, the dealer should provide the owner with an application that has been certified showing taxes have been paid. The white copy of the application is mailed in for processing. The yellow copy is kept as a temporary permit to operate with until the application has been processed.
Boats Transferred from one Individual to another
A Tennessee county court clerk must certify applications for boats purchased between individuals. The clerk will collect taxes and usually requires a bill of sale from the individuals involved. The white copy of the application is mailed in for processing. The yellow copy is kept as a temporary permit to operate the boat until the application has been processed.
Renewing a Registration That Does Not Involve a Change of Ownership.
Complete the renewal notice that was mailed to you and return it along with the correct fee to the address shown on the notice.
OR
Renew your registration at a business which sells TWRA hunting and fishing licenses (i.e. many Wal-Marts and K-marts, etc.). The business will collect the fee and issue a receipt that serves as a temporary permit until the new certificate and decals arrive by mail in about 2 or 3 weeks.
NOTE
After 10 years without renewing your boat, you are dropped from the system and need to register as if it were your initial registration.
Registration by Boat Docks or Boat Rentals or Registration by Dealers or Manufacturers.
Call the Boat Registration Office of the TWRA in Nashville, (615) 781-6618 and ask for details.
Please allow 30 days for your registration to be processed and returned. If your new decals and certificate have not arrived within 30 days, call (615) 781-6522 to check on the progress.
Pick up a blank boat application from a boat dealer or county court clerk. Fill out the application and be sure to include your Tennessee boat number and letters. Check the box for a “duplicate” if you only need the card. Check the box for a “replacement” if you need the decals or both the card and decals.
Persons under the age of 12 may not operate a powered boat unless they are accompanied by an adult who can take immediate control of the vessel. An exception is made if the boat is powered by an outboard motor of 8.5 horsepower or less. A further exception is made for unaccompanied operators between the ages of 10 and 12 if the boat is over 14 feet long, powered by an outboard motor less than 15 horsepower, and the person has successfully completed a boating education course approved by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
The boat’s hull identification number should be a combination of 12 letters and numbers. It is generally located in the upper right corner of the boat’s transom (the flat part of the boat where the motor is mounted). The number for pontoon boats can also be found on a bracket between the pontoon and deck in the lower right corner on the back of the boat.
Either call in your new address to (615) 781-6618, or send a letter to the main TWRA office to the attention of the Boating Division notifying them of the change.