Alabama Boat Licensing
In the state of Alabama, the only vessels that require registration include sailboats, boats for hire, and mechanically propelled vessels. These include fishing boats, power boats, speed boats, and more. Additionally, you don't need titles to register your watercraft, and trailers and U.S. Coast Guard vehicles don't require registration in the state of Alabama. There is a list of exempted vehicles that don't require registration that you can get from the Alabama department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
When you buy a boat, it has to be registered within 72 hours of you purchasing the boat, unless you buy it from a private seller. If it's already registered, you've got 15 days to put it in your name. You simply need to complete a registration form and take it and the fees to the local probate judge or license commissioner. Once licensed, you should keep registration on your boat, and put the sticker somewhere that is easily noticeable on the bow of your boat. The fees required for boaters depend on the size of the boat that you own.
Ranging from $18 to $98, boating fees are based on five classes of size, and cover your vehicle for one year. Like registering a car, you'll need to re-pay the fees every year to keep your boat currently licensed in the State of Alabama. Renewal fees aren't reduced for boat owners, so you'll need to be prepared to pay the same amount each year that you own your boat. If you lose your registration, it can be replaced for a $5 fee by contacting the Alabama Marine Police.
In Alabama, you're required to be at least 12 years of age and have an operator's license to legally drive a boat. When boaters are under the age of 14, they're required to be supervised by a licensed driver that must be at least 21 years of age and competent to operate the boat. Getting a license is easy. All you have to do is pass a boating course offered by one of many authorities or even a third party service. You can also go to the Driver's License offices and pay $5 to take the test there. Once you've passed the test, you'll get a class V designation on your driver's license if you have them. If you don't have a license, you'll be issued a boating license instead, which is valid for four years from the date of issuance.
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Submitted by: michelle
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Added: Thu Dec 11 2008
