Boat Registration and Licenses in Louisiana
All vessels used on Louisiana state waters need to be titled and registered with the LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). Keep reading to learn about tilting and registering watercraft AND the qualifications needed to operate a boat in The Pelican State.
LA Boat Registration & Title Procedures
The LDWF requires you to title and register any recently-purchased boat within 15 days of purchase. Start by gathering the following documents:
- A completed Boat Registration/Boat and Motor Title Application (Form 55).
- A proof of purchase document:
- Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (boats purchased from dealers).
- Original notarized bill of sale signed by the buyer AND seller (boats purchased from private sellers) stating the vessel's:
- Registration number.
- Hull identification number (HIN).
- Make and model year.
- The properly assigned boat title (if applicable).
- If purchased from a dealer, a Boat Registration Tax Payment Certification (Form R-1331).
- If your boat is homemade OR doesn't have a valid HIN, an Affidavit for Boat Inspection (REV 2015).
- Payment for the applicable title and registration fees.
Then, mail the items above to:
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
- P.O. Box 14796
- Baton Rouge, LA 70898
Allow 45 days for the LDWF to mail your boat's new title and registration to you. Once you receive your registration number, refer to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries boating equipment and regulations page to learn the correct way to display your registration numbers and decals.
If you have additional questions, call the LDWF's boat registration line: (225) 765-2898.
LA Vessel Title & Registration Fees
The LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' fees for titling and registering your vessel are as follows:
- Original/renewal registration—Varies by boat length:
- 15 feet, 11 inches. or less: $36.
- 16 feet to 25 feet 11 inches.: $57.
- 26 feet to 39 feet 11 inches.: $78.
- 40 ft and over.: $99
- Original title: $26.
- Record/release a lien: Additional $10.
- Registration transfer fee: $5.
- Duplicate:
- Registration certificate: $5.
- Registration decal: $10.
- Title: $23. An additional max fee of $18 for titles not obtained through the OMV.
- HIN inspection fee: $25.
- Sales tax:
- State—4.45% of the purchase price.
- Local—Varies according to your LA county of residence.
LA Boat Renewals & Replacements
Registrations are valid for 3 years and you should receive a renewal notice from the LDWF about 15 days before your renewal month. If you fail to renew your registration within 60 days of the expiration date, your registration numbers will need to be reinstated via the instructions above.
You can renew your boat's registration:
- Online by providing information about your vessel AND payment for the applicable renewal fees through the LDWF's renewal portal.
- By mailing your completed renewal notice OR Boat Registration/Boat and Motor Title Application (Form 55), along with the appropriate renewal fees to the address on your renewal notice.
Replacing a Lost Registration
Lost vessel titles and registrations must be reported to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries within 15 days of losing/damaging the certificate. You can request duplicates by submitting:
- A completed Boat Registration/Boat and Motor Title Application (Form 55).
- The necessary title and/or registration replacement fees.
Mail the above to:
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
P.O. Box 14796
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
Boater Qualifications in Louisiana
If you were born after January 1, 1984, you'll need to obtain a boater education certificate to operate a motorized boat with over 10 horsepower unsupervised. Otherwise, you must be supervised by someone who's 18 years old or older and has completed the course OR someone who's exempt from the education requirement. You must be at least 10 years old to take a boater education course for certification. You may take the boater education course at any age, however.
Additionally, it's unlawful for anyone under 16 years old to operate a personal watercraft.
You can choose to complete your boater education requirement:
- Online through an approved education provider listed on the LDWF's boating courses page.
- In the classroom with an LDWF education provider nearest to you.
If you still have questions about Louisiana's boating education requirements, call the LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at (225) 765-2887 or (225) 765-2898.