new boat requirements

[junyaah]

I live in Virginia but will be fishing in Tennessee. I just got my new boat yesterday     my question is can i take it out on the water before i register and tag it? I know i wont be takin it out until I insure it.

[mrshakeyhead]

Not sure I'd do that if I were you.  I'm not familiar with how the state of Va. works, but I'd think you should be able to get your boat registered in a few minutes with a set of paperwork showing you paid for the license and you're legal.  Check into it.

[junyaah]

yeah i was originally gona take it out in the morning..i thought the dealer said if i had the paperwork i could but i think i misheard him..I am gona go to the dmv and do all that in the morning..hopefully it wont take too long haha

[Bigwrench]

Welcome to UB neighbor ! Your trailer is registered through DMV and your boat is done through DGIF. DMV should have paperwork for you to fill out to mail to DGIF and you keep a copy as your registration until your official copy comes in mail. You can also get a temporary registration iirc for your boat at most places that sell licenses  . You wouldn't happen to live in ABINGDON or Bristol area would ya ?
anyways welcome aboard and might see ya on the water this weekend after the drag races

Bass Fishin and Banjer Pickin !

[junyaah]

I actually live in weber city,near kingsport. We go to the street fights a lot. I just heard of a boating license and boater safety education.  Is this required? Even if i dont plan to use the boat in va.

[Bigwrench]

I have some co workers from weber city. As to your question about the safety course the way I read it it is only required to operate in Virginia waters . Verbatim from DGIF ....
"As of July 1, 2011, all PWC operators 50 years old and younger and Boat operators ages 20 and younger must complete a boating safety course. This is the next phase-in of the Education Compliance Requirement for all Virginia boaters. Beginning July 1, 2012, all PWC operators regardless of age must take a boating safety course and Boat operators ages 30 and younger need to take a boating safety course.

PWC Age Restriction: No person under the age of 14 may operate a PWC. Those operators 14 and 15 MUST show proof of completing an approved and accepted boating safety course either in a classroom or online. The challenge exam or other provisions of the Education Compliance Requirement do not meet the requirements of the age restriction law."

That being said I would recommend taking at the very least the online course offered at boatus.org it is the only one I know of approved in VA online and is free. I cant speak for TN regs but if they don't require it now it won't be long before they follow suit I would bet . TWRA website should have info for you.  I gained a lot of knowledge on safety and operating a boat .  But will take some time to complete . You should also consider fishing some VA waters too or you might miss out on some great local fishing
Here's a couple caught recently in VA.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask me or any UB member!
Here is the online course link
http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/default.asp
Let's see some pictures of that new boat when ya get a chance and get over to the new members contest board and get signed up to win some free stuff ! Again welcome to Ultimate Bass !
Bass Fishin and Banjer Pickin !

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