Whether you’re paddleboarding on the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe or launching your boat in the emerald waters of Lake Mead, a day on the lake with family and friends is always fun and memorable.
Nevada Boating Laws, Rules & Regulations – the need to knows.
Nevada offers some amazing boating opportunities! Before you head out, there are a few things you will need to check including the rules of operation and nay required equipment to have onboard.
Did you know that 70% of all boating fatalities occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction? That’s why Nevada boaters born on or after January 1, 1983 are required to complete a Nevada Department of Wildlife approved boater education course before operating a boat on Nevada’s interstate waters. It’s also why NDOW strongly recommends everyone get their boating education card before heading out on the water.
Nevada Boat Titling & Registration
Ready to get outside on your new watercraft? Whether you just bought a brand new boat or new to you boat, let us help you get it legal so you can do what it is you got it for… enjoying Nevada waters.
Title and Register a New or Untitled Watercraft
What do I need to bring to title and register my new or previous untitled watercraft?
- Present proof of ownership (original bill of sale or subsequent bills of sale).
- Present proof that a sales tax has been paid. Proof of sales tax is not required on private-party sales. Contact the Department of Taxation for locations:
- Reno (775) 687-9999
- Carson City (775) 684-2135
- Las Vegas (702) 486-2300
- Present the original Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO).
- If the original MSO is not available, or the watercraft is coming from a non-title state, you must bring the watercraft to a Nevada Department of Wildlife office for inspection.
- If you have an MSO, but the HIN number is hand written, you must bring the watercraft to a Nevada Department of Wildlife office for inspection.
- If coming from a non-title state, the previous state registration, or certified copy of the state record must be provided.
- Social Security number must be provided.
- Pay the required fees
Title and Register an Out-of-State Titled Watercraft
What do I need to bring to title and register my new or previous untitled watercraft?
To register an out-of-state titled watercraft, you will need the follow:
- Present the properly endorsed out-of-state Certificate of Ownership (Title) to an office of the Department of Wildlife. A watercraft inspection may be necessary, please contact the nearest Nevada Department of Wildlife office for more information. Check for the nearest NDOW office.
- Present proof that a sales tax has been paid, if applicable (dealer sale, broker sale, repossession). Proof of sales tax is not required on private-party sales. Contact the Department of Taxation for locations:
- Reno (775) 687-9999
- Carson City (775) 684-2135
- Las Vegas. (702) 486-2300
- Social Security number must be provided.
- Pay the required fees.
Title and Register a Previously Titled Nevada Watercraft
- Present the properly endorsed Nevada Certificate of Ownership (Title) to an office of the Department of Wildlife.
- Present proof that a sales tax has been paid, if applicable (dealer sale, broker sale, repossession). Proof of sales tax is not required on private-party sales. Contact the Department of Taxation for locations:
- Reno (775) 687-9999
- Carson City (775) 684-2135
- Las Vegas (702) 486-2300
- Social Security number must be provided.
- Pay the required fees.
Boat titling and registration fees are listed below.
Titling Fee
| Initial Certificate of Ownership (Title), this includes new, untitled, and out of state watercraft | $20 |
Registration Certificate & Decal Annual Fees
| Watercraft less than 13 feet | $20 |
| Watercraft 13 feet or more but less than 18 | $25 |
| Watercraft 18 feet or more but less than 22 | $40 |
| Watercraft 22 feet or more but less than 26 | $55 |
| Watercraft 26 feet or more but less than 31 | $75 |
| Watercraft 31 feet or more | $100 |
Other Boating Fees
| Nevada Title Transfer Fee | $20 |
| Replacement Certificate of Ownership | $20 |
| Replacement Certificate of Number and/or Decals | $20 |
| Replacement Certificate of Ownership and Certificate of Number | $20 |
*Prices do not include nominal processing fee
What are the Rules in Nevada for Personal Watercraft (PWC)?
Driving or riding a personal watercraft (PWC) is a fun way to enjoy time on the water, but a PWC also comes with its own set of concerns.
Know your PWC
Most PWC don’t have brakes. They require the rider to use thrust from the throttle while turning away from whatever object (swimmer, dock, boat, submerged log) you may be heading towards. This is important to think about because it is as counter-intuitive. For that reason, it is best to ride slow until you are comfortable.
Wear Proper Safety Gear
Part of the thrill of piloting a PWC is that “here we go” sensation. But responsible riding requires that you make sure you are protected while having fun. That means wearing a proper-fitting lifejacket. Eye protection is suggested as well. Snug fitting, wrap around sunglasses can prevent water or debris from entering the eye.
Know The Rules of the Road
A person must have taken a boating education course to operate a PWC on Nevada waters. These are powerful, fast moving watercraft that have proven very dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced and uninformed driver. You wouldn’t put an inexperienced driver on a powerful street bike and put them on the freeway. That would be extremely dangerous. Well, the same goes for a PWC. In the hands of a knowledgeable driver they are a great way to spend the day on the way. In the hands of an unprepared or reckless driver, they are a great way to wind up in the hospital, or worse.
An important rule to remember is that a PWC never has the right of way. Boats under power give way to sailboats and paddlers like canoes and kayaks. And the shorter and more maneuverable the powerboat, the lower on the pecking order you are. In other words, PWC riders always have to give way to other boats.
Boat Sober
Boaters need to remember that booze and boating DO NOT mix. Alcohol impairs your ability to operate a vessel safely in the same way that it impairs your ability to drive a car safely. Did you know that alcohol is the leading contributing factor in all boating accidents?
A PWC is a Boat
Personal watercraft are classified as boats and must adhere to the same rules and regulations as other vessels. Please reference NRS 488.580 Operation of personal watercraft for detailed information.
A “personal watercraft” means a class A motorboat which:
- Is less than 13 feet in length;
- Is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on, rather than in, the motorboat;
- Is capable of performing sharp turns or quick maneuvers; and
- Has a motor that exceeds 10 horsepower.
Nevada Alcohol Boating Laws
Boaters need to remember that booze and boating DO NOT mix. Alcohol impairs your ability to operate a vessel safely in the same way that it impairs your ability to drive a car safely. However, there are other factors that add to the intensity of your impairment when on the water, including the motion of the boat and dehydration.
Balance is one of the first things you lose when you consume alcohol, and when you combine this with the rocking of a boat, the chance of falling overboard increases.
The sun causes you to perspire, which removes the water from your body but leaves the alcohol in. This can cause impairment to happen more quickly. In a study of boating fatalities in four states, 51 percent of the people who died had a blood alcohol content of .04 or more. A blood alcohol of .10 or more was found in 30 percent of the fatalities.
In the Law
- NRS 488.410 Unlawful acts.
- NRS 488.400 Operation of vessel or manipulation of water skis or surfboard recklessly or while intoxicated or under influence of controlled substance prohibited.
- NRS 488.405 “Concentration of alcohol of 0.10 or more in his blood or breath” defined
- NRS 488.407 Operation of vessel under the influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled substance
Myths About Alcohol
- Beer is NOT less intoxicating than any other alcoholic beverage.
- Only time will sober a person, NOT black coffee or a cold shower.
- It is NOT easy to tell if someone is impaired. Many experienced drinkers can hide their impairment.
- You are NOT the best person to judge if you are fit to drive. Your judgement is one of the first things you lose when you drink.
- Remember, safe boating starts before your first trip out on the water. Do not wait until an accident happens to educate yourself as well as your family on the rules of safe boating.
Paddle Sports
Paddle sports are a great way to get out and enjoy many of Nevada’s scenic waters. Game wardens who patrol the waters used to see only a handful of paddlers just ten years ago, but now see hundreds of kayaks, paddleboards and canoes all across the state.
Paddle craft are less expensive than motorboats, require little maintenance and cause no noise or pollution. Many people view the growth in paddling as a positive development, but the challenge is making sure that people take the time to learn about basic boating safety before heading out.
Anyone considering heading out in a kayak, paddleboard or canoe must always remember that these vessels carry many of the same risks and responsibilities as larger motorboats, and paddling is a sport where it is very easy to end up in the water when you don’t expect it.
Once you are paddling any craft on the water, you become subject to the same boating rules as every other kind of vessel. Paddlers are required to carry a life jacket that fits properly for every person aboard the boat, and children under the age of 13 are required to wear the life jacket at all times. The best way to enjoy the water safely is to wear a life jacket at all times. In vessels such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and float tubes, it is very easy to lose balance and end up in the water and anglers who use paddle craft should be prepared.
Where can I Paddle Boat in Nevada
Access to Nevada’s water via boat ramps may change from week to week. Many boat ramps throughout the state are maintained by county, state or federal agencies.
Wear a Life Jacket
It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, or how strong of a swimmer you might be, they are called accidents for a reason. Experienced paddlers wear a life jacket every time they are on the water. Did you know that 85% of fatal canoeing accidents and 48% of kayaking fatalities involved people who were not wearing their life jacket. Don’t just have it on the board or boat, wear it. It just might save your life.
Paddle Sport Safety Course (FREE online course)
Earn your certificate in paddle sports safety with this free Paddle Sports Safety Course. The course is sanctioned by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators & recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. If it’s got a paddle it’s in this course. Including everything stand-up paddleboard (SUP). Just be careful standing up in those kayaks and canoes, in fact we’ll teach you how (or when not to).
Top Ten Safety Tips for Stand-Up Paddleboards
- Wear a life jacket and carry a whistle
- Be a competent swimmer
- Know how to self rescue
- Know how to tow another board
- Know the local regulations and navigation rules
- Understand the elements and hazards – winds, tidal ranges, current, terrain
- Know when to wear a leash
- Be defensive – don’t go where you aren’t supposed to be and avoid other swimmers, boaters, paddleboards
- Take a safety course
It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, or how strong of a swimmer you might be, they are called accidents for a reason. 85% of fatal canoeing accidents and 48% of kayaking fatalities involved people who were not wearing their life jacket. Don’t just have it on your boat, kayak or paddle board…wear it. It just might save your life.
Life Jacket Laws in Nevada
In the state of Nevada, you must have at least one USCG-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board, including paddleboards. Passengers under 13 years of age and under are required to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on board any boat while the boat is underway, unless they are in an enclosed area.
The Right Life Jacket for You
Life jackets come in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes and materials. Some are made to be more rugged and last longer while others are made to protect you from cold water.
No matter which life jacket you choose, be sure to get the one that is right for you. Select a PFD based on your planned activities, and the water conditions you expect to encounter.
United States Coast Guard (USCG) approval means that the PFD has passed rigorous testing. So, always look for the USCG approval number on any life jacket you buy, and be sure to read the manufacturer’s label. Testing Your Life Jacket
Inherently Buoyant Life Jackets
- Put your life jacket on. It should fit properly with all zippers, straps, ties and snaps correctly secured.
- Ease yourself into the water or walk into water up to your neck.
- Lift your legs and tilt your head back, in a relaxed floating position. Your mouth should be out of the water and you should float comfortably without any physical effort.
If the life jacket rides up, try securing it tighter to your body. If it still rides up, you may need a different style. You should be comfortable and able to swim without significant restriction. You should have someone else to act as a lifeguard or assistant if you are uncomfortable with being in the water or are trying this activity for the first time.
Inflatable Life Jacket
- If you do not wish to test the CO2 inflation system, remove the CO2 cylinder (and if the PFD has an automatic feature, remove the water-sensing element).
- Put your life jacket on and fully inflate it.
- Test it like an inherently buoyant life jacket.
Because of the design, ride-up is generally not an issue with inflatable life jackets. The amount of buoyancy provided with inflatable lifejackets will probably require the user to swim using some form of side or backstroke, as it will be difficult to swim on your stomach when the PFD is properly secured.