2006 Code of Virginia § 29.1-702 - Registration requirements; display of numbers; cancellation of certificate; exemption

29.1-702. Registration requirements; display of numbers; cancellation ofcertificate; exemption.

A. 1. The owner of each motorboat requiring numbering by the Commonwealthshall file an application for a number with the Department on forms approvedby it. The owner of the motorboat or the owner's agent shall sign theapplication and pay the following boat registration fee:

a. For a motorboat under sixteen feet, eighteen dollars;

b. For a motorboat sixteen feet to less than twenty feet, twenty-two dollars;

c. For a motorboat twenty feet to less than forty feet, twenty-eight dollars;

d. For a motorboat forty feet and over, thirty-six dollars.

2. Owners, other than manufacturers or dealers, of more than ten motorboatsnumbered by the Commonwealth, shall pay eighteen dollars each for the firstten such boats and twelve dollars for each additional boat.

3. Upon receipt of the application in approved form, the Department shallhave the application entered upon the records of its office and issue to theapplicant a certificate of number stating the identification number awardedto the motorboat and the name, address and a social security number ornumbers, or federal tax identification number of the owner or owners. Anycertificate issued in accordance with this chapter shall expire three yearsfrom the first day of the month in which it was issued. Upon properapplication and payment of fee, and in the discretion of the Director, thecertificate may be renewed.

B. The owner shall paint on or attach to each side of the bow of themotorboat the identification number in the manner prescribed by rules andregulations of the Board. The number shall be maintained in legiblecondition. The certificate of number shall be pocket-size and shall beavailable for inspection on the motorboat for which issued whenever suchmotorboat is in operation. However, the certificate of number for any vesselless than twenty-six feet in length, and leased or rented to another for thelessee's noncommercial use for less than twenty-four hours, may be retainedon shore by the vessel's owner or his representative at the place at whichthe vessel departs and returns to the possession of the owner or hisrepresentative, provided the vessel is appropriately identified as to itsowner while in use under such lease or rental.

C. No number other than the number awarded to a motorboat or grantedreciprocity pursuant to this chapter shall be displayed on either side of thebow of the motorboat.

D. The Department is authorized to cancel and recall any certificate ofnumber issued by the Department when it appears proper payment has not beenmade for the certificate of number or when the certificate has beenimproperly or erroneously issued.

E. Any motorboat purchased and used by a nonprofit volunteer rescue squad orvolunteer fire department shall be exempt from the registration fees imposedby subsection A of this section.

(1960, c. 500, 62-174.5; 1962, c. 626; 1964, c. 654; 1968, c. 659, 62.1-170; 1970, c. 240; 1972, c. 412; 1980, c. 256; 1983, c. 126; 1986, c.125; 1987, c. 488; 1990, c. 321; 1991, c. 82; 1992, c. 250.)