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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>62216</law_id><section_number>29.1-703</section_number><catch_line>Identification numbers required; decals</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>29.1-733.7</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="29.1">Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="7">Boating Laws</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Boat Registration and Identification</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Every <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> on the waters of this Commonwealth shall be numbered except those specifically exempt in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Exemption from numbering requirements" href="/29.1-710/">29.1-710</a>. No person shall <span class="dictionary">operate</span> or give permission for the operation of any <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> on such waters unless the <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> is numbered in accordance with this chapter, federal <span class="dictionary">law</span>, or a federally approved numbering system of another state, or has been issued a temporary registration certificate pursuant to the provisions of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Temporary registration certificate; fee; application" href="/29.1-703.1/">29.1-703.1</a>. In addition to the numbering requirements, (i) the certificate of number awarded or temporary registration certificate issued to the <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> must be in effect, (ii) the identifying number set forth in the certificate of number must be displayed on each side of the bow of the <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span>, and (iii) decals signifying the last month and year during which the certificate of number is valid must be displayed on each side of the <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> within six inches of the registration number so as to be visible while the <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> is being operated. Decals will be furnished with each certificate of number issued or reissued by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>. Expired decals must be removed from the <span class="dictionary">vessel</span>. Upon written request and for good cause, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may allow exceptions to the requirement to display decals. If a decal becomes defaced, lost or destroyed, application for replacement shall be made to the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> within fifteen days. A fee of one dollar shall be charged for each decal or set of decals replaced. Decals must be displayed upon the watercraft for which they were purchased and are not transferable.</p></section></text><history>1960, c. 500, &#xA7; 62-174.4; 1962, c. 626; 1968, c. 659, &#xA7; 62.1-169; 1984, c. 3; 1987, c. 488; 1995, c. 241.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
