Exempt from Registration

For DMV registration purposes, the following is the definition of a boat:

“Boat” means a watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except for:

• a ship’s lifeboat;
• a seaplane;
• an inspected passenger vessel; and
• a single air mattress, single inner tube, or other water toy.

This definition is intended to be very broad so that it includes everything that floats and is capable of carrying a person or cargo.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR:

• A boat with mechanical propulsion (powered boat), regardless of length, including boats that have auxiliary power units. The mechanical propulsion may be gas, diesel, electrical, or other fuel driven boats.
• Non-power boats operated by Sport Fishing Guides. (AS 16.05.395)  Do not charge the registration fee.

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EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION:

1. A boat owned by any federal, state, or local government agency. If an agency decides to register their boats, they are not exempt from fees.
2. A boat that has been documented in the U.S. or a foreign country.
3. Non-powered boats except those operated by Sport Fishing Guides. The owner may register their non-powered boat if they wish to do so.
4. A boat that is not operated in Alaska for more than 90 consecutive days, provided:

NOTE: Tenders are boats that are used exclusively for transportation from a boat to shore. Under the Coast Guard registration program tenders were not required to be registered. This changed under the state program; therefore, tenders with mechanical propulsion must be registered.

HISTORY:

06/04/09 ~ Clarified that Sport Fishing Guides do not pay registration fees for non-powered boats.

02/10/05 ~ Sport Fishing Guides required to register their non-powered boats.

06/04/04 ~ Non-powered boats no longer required to be registered. Previously, non-powered boats over 10 feet in length or boats owned by a non-resident and operated in Alaska for more than 30 days in a calendar year were required to be registered.

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