Boating in Virginia

Registration, titles, boater education and taxes, from Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and other official sources.

Registering agency	Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Registration fees	<16 ft $37; 16-<20 $41; 20-<40 $47; 40+ $55; title $15
Renewal	3 years
Title	yes for motorboats; sail-only vessels over 18 ft need title but not registration
Boater education	Currently only ages 14 and 15 for personal watercraft. Beginning July 1, 2009 compliance with boating safety education will be phased in according to age category. [per USCG-hosted NASBLA state survey; survey date not shown, may be outdated]; all ages for motorboats 10 hp+ (since July 1, 2016); all PWC operators (minimum age 14; 14-15 need a course)
Sales/use tax	2% watercraft sales and use tax (separate from general sales tax; paid before DWR titling); cap: $2,000 per transaction (does not apply to lease/charter receipts)
Property tax	yes (local, varies)
Forms	Official forms

Sources

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