DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS: Powered / Non-Powered | Other Numbers
Removal of Number | Transfer | Validation Sticker

BOAT NUMBER

Every boat registered in the state is assigned a boat number but only powered boats are required to display the number. Owners of non-powered boats may display the number but are not required to do so. The boat number serves much the same purpose as the license plate on a car; the purpose is to be able to identify the boat.

All boat numbers begin with two letters that signify the state of issue. Boat numbers for boats registered in Alaska always begin with “AK”. The numbers issued by the Coast Guard had AK followed by 4 numerals and 1 letter, e.g. AK 1234 R. When DMV took over the registration program on January 1, 2001, the boat numbers consisted of AK followed by 4 numerals and 2 letters beginning with AK 1000 AA. These numbers are sequentially assigned by the ALVIN system when the initial data entry is done. There are no special request or personalized numbers. Boats whose initial registration is done at a dealer who is not on-line will not be assigned a number until the actual data entry is done. Boat owners may operate the boat with a copy of the boat registration application as a temporary registration for 60 days.

DMV assigns a boat number but it does not issue any type of sticker, decal, or plate with the number on it. It is the responsibility of the owner to place the boat number on the boat.

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VALIDATION STICKER

The validation sticker shows the year the registration expires. Powered boats are issued 2 validation stickers and non-powered boats are issued 1 validation sticker. Each individual sticker is approximately 3 inches square. There is a four-color sequence for the validation sticker beginning with blue in 2001, international orange in 2002, green in 2003, and red in 2004. The sequence began again with blue in 2005. All states use the same color sequence for the validation sticker.

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DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS – POWERED BOATS

Boat Number:

1. Normally the number must be painted or permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the boat. “Permanently Attached” usually means some type of stick-on numbers or decals that make up the complete number. For inflatable boats, canvas boats, boats owned by dealer or manufacturer and used only for demonstration, and boats configured so that a number on the hull or superstructure would not be easily visible, the number must be painted on or attached to backing plates that are firmly attached to each side of the forward half of the boat.
   
2. Each number must:

• be in plain vertical block characters 3 inches or more in height;
• contrast with the color of the background and be distinctly visible and legible;
• have spaces or hyphens that are equal to the width of a letter other than “I” or a number other than “1” between the letter and number groupings (Examples AK-1234-AA or AK 1234 AA);
• read from left to right.

Validation Sticker: The sticker must be displayed within 6 inches of the boat number on both sides of the boat. If a backing plate is used to display the boat number, the sticker must also be on the backing plate.

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DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS – NON-POWERED BOATS

Boat Number: Non-powered boats are not required to display the boat number but may do so at the owner’s option following the same requirements as above for powered boats.

Validation Sticker: Non-powered boats are issued a single sticker which may be displayed on the top or side of the forward half of the boat. The sticker may be displayed so that it is visible when the boat is in operation. If it is not practical to affix the sticker to the boat, it may be displayed on a backing plate attached to the front half of the boat.

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TRANSFER OF NUMBER

Except for numbers issued to a dealer or manufacturer, a number may not be transferred to another boat. When a boat is sold the number will remain the same for the new owner. Numbers issued to a dealer or manufacturer may be used on any boat owned by the dealer or manufacturer while the boat is demonstrated.

OTHER NUMBERS PROHIBITED

It is illegal to operate a boat with a number other than the assigned boat number on the forward half of the boat.

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REMOVAL OF NUMBER

An owner must remove a boat number when the boat is:

• documented by the Coast Guard or
• no longer principally used in the state.

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