Boating in Tennessee

Registration, titles, boater education and taxes, from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and other official sources.

Registering agency	Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Registration fees	<=16 ft $18/$34/$50; 16-<26 $35/$68/$101; 26-<40 $54/$102/$153; 40+ $72/$138/$203
Renewal	1, 2 or 3 years
Title	no (Tennessee registers but doesn't title boats)
Boater education	residents (TWRA certificate); nonresidents need NASBLA-approved certificate; born after 1989-01-01
Sales/use tax	7% state + local up to 2.75% -- proof of sales tax paid required at initial registration; cap: Local tax only on the first $1,600 (single-article rule); extra 2.75% state single-article tax on $1,600.01-$3,200; 7% state on full price
Property tax	no for personal use

Sources

Checked 2026-10-24. Rules change; confirm with the agency.