How to register your amphibious ATV as a boat.

[Mike]

If you are planning on taking your amphibious ATV into public lakes and waterways in the U.S. then you will need to register it as a boat in order to be legal. This is a fairly simple (and cheap) process but it varies slightly from state to state. Use this article as a basic guide but always be sure to check your local and state laws as well.

I will list a couple of states below and the procedures that they require but you can always check your states laws by visiting Boat Registration at DMV.org


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North Carolina vessel registration - NC is probably one of the more difficult states to register an AATV . I just registered both of my Max's and I was told that in the past 19 years the state supervisor had registered only 1 AATV before.

Anyway, in NC, vessel registration is governed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Division of Engineering Services. WOW, what a mouthful! Here's what you do:

- First, you will need to fill out a VL1 vessel registration form . I didn't have a title with one Max and I did with the other so instead of sending the title in on one, I just applied for a Vessel title for both of them. It is $45 for a three year registration that way. That is your choice though and if you want to use your actual title as the vessel title, registration is only $25 for three years but you have to send the title in.

Note: Since we don't have Hull I.D. numbers I was told to just use the VIN number instead.

- If you don't have a title then you also have to fill out a Sworn Statement of Vessel Purchase and have it notarized.

- Finally, you need to attach a note with all of these forms that simply says "This is an amphibious ATV"

I was told that I had to mail all of these forms in simply because the main supervisor was the only one that knew how to handle the AATVs. You could try going in person to your local NCWRC department though.

I mailed mine in on Monday and got everything back that Saturday so it was a pretty quick process.
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New York boat registration - Thanks to jpswift1 for letting us know how it's done in NY!

In NY, boat registration is governed by the DMV and it only cost $21 for three years. Just head to your local DMV and take your title, license, and the VIN number in order to register your AATV. If you don't have a title, they should be able to provide you with a "sworn statement of purchase" . You have to fill it out and get it notarized.

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So, you are registered, now what?

You are almost ready to (legally) hit the water. You just need a few things to take with you and most of the time these are outlined in the information you get during the registration process. Use this article as a guide but be sure to check your state's regulations.

1) Apply your ID numbers. Most states require the letters (stickers) to be at least 3" tall and have contrasting colors from the background. They normally have to be applied on both sides of the body and can easily be found at you local hardware or Wal-Mart.
2) Apply your registration sticker where instructed. (usually on the starboard side)
3) Have one life jacket on board for every passenger
4) Have some rope on board
5) Some states also require a whistle or any other device for making a noise (ie. airhorn).

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