Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

Site Search

Boating

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How many days to I have to register my newly purchased boat?

Answer: The owner of a motorboat that requires registration must apply for the registration within 20 working days of the date of purchase. The motorboat may be operated during this period if the owner has on board a dated proof of purchase.

Question: How long is the registration good for?

Answer: A Certificate of Number is valid for three years.

Question: What happens if my boat is destroyed?

Answer: If a numbered motorboat is abandoned or destroyed, the owner must notify the DFA within 15 days of the event and the certificate will be terminated.

Question: What if I lost my registration card or decals?

Answer: If you lose or destroy your registration card or decals, you must apply for a duplicate with a processing fee.

Question: How big and where should the numbers be placed on my boat?

Answer: The registration number and validation decals must be displayed as follows:          

  • Number must be painted, decaled or otherwise affixed to the forward half of each side of the motorboat, placed to be clearly visible.        
  • Number must read from left to right on both sides of the motorboat.        
  • Number must be in at least 3-inch high, bold, BLOCK letters.        
  • Number's color must contrast with its background.        
  • Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: AR 3717 ZW, AR-3717-ZW, AR 123 ABC or AR-123-ABC.        
  • No other numbers or letters may be displayed on either side of the bow.        
  • Decals must be affixed on each side of the motorboat, toward the stern of the registration number, 3 inches from and in line with the number.    

Question: Do I have to have liability insurance?

Answer: All personal watercraft and motorboats powered by engines of more than 50 horsepower must be covered by a liability insurance policy issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Arkansas.   

  • The policy must provide at least $50,000 of liability coverage per occurrence.        
  • It is illegal for the owner of such vessels to operate or allow others to operate unless the vessel has the required insurance.        
  • The insurance requirement does not apply to vessels properly registered in another state.    

Proof of insurance must be carried on board the vessel and be available for inspection by an enforcement officer.

Question: What if I have other registration questions?

Answer: Call the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration at 1-800-662-8247 or (501)682-4703. Also, you can call or visit your County Revenue Office, or visit the Department of Finance and Administration at www.ark.org/dfa.