CA Regs On Drift Boats

[Troutsource]

Do drift boats need to be registered in CA if they don't have a motor? Or just the trailer?

Googling around with no luck. Typical confusing bureacratic language.

Thanks for any input.

NEVER MIND I think I found my answer here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/register-your-boat-vessel/

There are some boats/vessels that do not have to be registered:

Canoes, rowboats, or any boats/vessels that use paddles or oars





24.180 Vessels Required to be Registered in California
The following vessels must be registered: Show Citation 11
Undocumented motor boats.
Undocumented sailboats over eight feet in length or with a motor.
Amphibious vehicle/vessels.
Houseboats.

Exception: A floating, stationary residential dwelling (floating home) not designed to have power of its own, dependent for utilities from a source on shore, and which has a permanent sewage hookup on shore (CVC §9840).

Inflatable vessels with motors.
Personal watercraft ski-type vessels (for example, jet ski or wet bike).
Shuttle craft. A shuttle craft is a full-size, open bow, jet boat similar to a barge. It is powered and steered by a personal watercraft.

[Rossflyguy]

Do drift boats need to be registered in CA if they don't have a motor? Or just the trailer?

Googling around with no luck. Typical confusing bureacratic language.

Thanks for any input.

NEVER MIND I think I found my answer here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/register-your-boat-vessel/

There are some boats/vessels that do not have to be registered:

Canoes, rowboats, or any boats/vessels that use paddles or oars





24.180 Vessels Required to be Registered in California
The following vessels must be registered: Show Citation 11
Undocumented motor boats.
Undocumented sailboats over eight feet in length or with a motor.
Amphibious vehicle/vessels.
Houseboats.

Exception: A floating, stationary residential dwelling (floating home) not designed to have power of its own, dependent for utilities from a source on shore, and which has a permanent sewage hookup on shore (CVC §9840).

Inflatable vessels with motors.
Personal watercraft ski-type vessels (for example, jet ski or wet bike).
Shuttle craft. A shuttle craft is a full-size, open bow, jet boat similar to a barge. It is powered and steered by a personal watercraft.

Yea, any type of motor you have to register it. That means bringing the boat and trailer to DMV so they can inspect it before giving you registration for it.

[Sonoman]

My buddy's drift boat has a plate on the trailer, but the boat never needed registration since he never used a motor on it.

[Rossflyguy]

It took me 4 trips to the DMV when they finally figured out what they needed me to do to get it registered. I’d just tow it to DMV to be safe if you’re trying to get it registered.

[RSK]

If anyone has a boat that is registered and doesn't use a motor like I do, you have to have it listed as totaled by the dnv to stop the registration and payments. I was told you can always re register it.

[Sonoman]

Gotta love the DMV

[PV_Premier]

Do not register the boat if it doesn’t have a motor on it. Get a PTI plate for the trailer. Be prepared to pay the difference in sales tax on the trailer and boat from Colorado (where I believe you bought it?) to California.

I registered my boat trailer in Idaho yesterday. Couldn’t have been easier. 20’, one signature, and $47 and my trailer is good to go for 10 years. Then $7 for the Idaho AIS sticker for rest of this year.

[Troutsource]

PV, that's definitely not CA.

I have a DMV appt Friday for the PTI plate. Will post if any problems others can learn from.

Can't wait to finally use this thing.