Do You Need to Register a Kayak in Minnesota?
Kayaking is one of the most exciting activities you can do in Minnesota.
But before you take your kayak to the waters, you need to familiarize yourself with the legal paper works to operate a watercraft.
You do not want your water adventure to go wrong, do you?
The most common concern for watercraft owners is:
Do you need to register a kayak in Minnesota?
- Answer: Yes, you need to register your kayak in Minnesota
Registration of watercraft boats differs from state to state. In Minnesota, you will need to register your kayak before you operate one.
All motorized or non-motorized watercraft must be registered under the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Decals for the boats for use in public waters are required to get a license under the same as well.
However, there are exceptions for the requirements of registration, which includes:
- Vessels registered in another state or country (not kept in Minnesota for more than 90 days)
- Vessels having US coast guard documents
- Duck boats and rice boats (during hunting season and harvest season)
- Seaplanes and lifeboats
- Non-motorized or human-powered watercraft that are 10 feet in length or less
An Overview of Minnesota Boating Regulations
A person under the age of 13:
- Is prohibited from operating a PWC (personal watercraft) even with adult supervision
- Can operate a PWC with adult supervision. They can also have their Minnesota Watercraft Operator’s Permit, but will still require an adult within view.
- A person who is 14 – 17 years of age can operate a PWC with their Minnesota Watercraft Operator’s Permit, or there should be an adult on board with them.
In 2016, laws for boat registration in Minnesota were set forth.
Section 86B.301 of Minnesota statutes include a display of registered numbers.
Just like other states, boats in Minnesota State are required to display the numbers on both the side of the motorized watercraft.
The displayed registration number should be in block letters with a height of three inches or more.
The colors of the background and the registration numbers and letters must be contrasting for better visibility.
There should be spaces between the letters and numbers, e.g., MN 1247 AB.
The Registration decals which the state provided must be exhibited four inches apart from registration number near the stern.
Minnesota State does not issue decorative stickers or registration number paid or free templates.
For boat operators, it is necessary to know the Minnesota boating laws and regulations.
It is crucial to be aware of the fundamentals that include life jackets, distress signals, navigation lights, navigation aids, and trailering.
In short, a boating education is a must to operate a watercraft.
Minnesota Boating Regulations
While registering your boat, here is a list of things you need to provide.
- The length of the boat (the straight line from the bow to the stern
- Manufacturer of the boat
- Type of the hull material (plastic, wood, or metal)
- Bowspirits, rudders, and other attachments that are not included in the given boat length
- Type of propulsion
- Boat model and year
- HIN (hull identification number)
- Receipts to show you have covered sales tax
The license will cover three calendar years and expire on the 31st of December of the third year. You can find the expiration date on the license certificate and validation decals of the boat.
A fee is required to pay for registration. It is not considered as a fee rather a contribution because the fees collected are used in the maintenance and conservation of the state waterways.
When you are ready to get a license for your kayak, here are a few pointers you should note:
- Purchasing online permit should be made solely on the official website of DNR
- You can contact the DNR License Center, in case you detect any anomalies on online transaction
- You can also purchase a license by phone
Conclusion
Now that you have the fundamentals of boat registration in your hands registering your kayak or any other PWC will be a simple task.
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