New Idaho boat registration rules now in effect
Boat owners take heed.
The U.S. Coast Guard has changed to the vessel registration process, affecting registrations and renewals for vessels and owners throughout the United States. This includes many of Idaho’s 87,000 registered boats because Idaho boat law is based on U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
“The changes in regulations impact about half of our registered boaters,” said Idaho Parks and Recreation spokeswoman, Jennifer Okerlund, in a message to The Press.
The IDPR recently mailed registration renewals to Idaho boat owners.
“Individuals who receive renewal notices in the mail can renew their vessel registration as they typically do,” said Tammy Kolsky, IDPR Reservation and Registration Program Manager. “Boat owners who did not receive renewal notices will instead receive a letter in the next few weeks with additional instruction on what’s needed before their vessel can be registered for 2017 and in compliance with new U.S. Coast Guard regulations.”
The changes for 2017 require mandatory verification of each vessel’s hull identification number and that all boat owners provide a “unique identifier” for every owner listed on a boat’s title or bill of sale. This unique identifier can be one of two things: a driver’s license and date of birth for Idaho residents only; or a tax identification number such as a social security number, employer identification number or individual tax identification number.
Similar to a VIN on a vehicle the hull identification number, or HIN, is the number stamped on your boat by the manufacturer. It is not the number you put on the bow of your boat when you initially registered. The HIN is 12 characters long.
To verify a boat’s HIN, a vessel owner should compare the HIN on the boat to the HIN on the renewal card or registration from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and compare that number to the HIN on the boat’s title issued by the Idaho Transportation Department. The numbers should all be the same.
If the HIN on a boat’s title is incorrect, the owner should call ITD Boat Titling staff at (844) 834-2446.
If the HIN on a boat title starts with US and does not contain spacing between the US and the next characters, the owner will need to contact ITD Boat Titling Staff at (844) 834-2446.
If the HIN on a renewal or registration is incorrect, the owner should call (800) 247-6332.
The U.S. Coast Guard is making these changes in order to improve boating safety efforts and enhance law enforcement capabilities.
“IDPR is in the process of creating and testing an online portal to assist vessel owners with compliance of the new rules and process. Most vessel owners will be able to easily log in to supply needed information, then be prompted to renew their registration online,” Kolsky said. “The letters that will be sent to vessel owners will include the necessary link to access the portal and instruction.”
IDPR reports that a small number of vessel owners in Idaho will not be able to update their information electronically and will require an official inspection, only available through the Idaho Transportation Department.
Vessel owners who have not received renewal notices and need their registrations immediately can call the IDPR Registration Program at 1-800-247-6332 or email reghelpline@idpr.idaho.gov (link sends email) for assistance.
Additional information about changes to boat registration requirements and U.S. Coast Guard rule changes can be found here: http://www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/changes-registration-process-boats