Boating Registration Fees Have First Increase In A Decade

The new Tennessee boating registration fees are effective as of July 1, 2008, marking the first increase since 1998, according to Ed Carter, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Boating Chief.

Boats 16 feet or less in length will increase $3 to $13 for one year. Boats more than 16 feet to less than 26 feet cost will increase $5 to $25.

While the fee increase becomes effective July 1, boats will not see the increase until their current registration expires. At the owner’s discretion, boats in Tennessee may be registered for one to three years.

The increase in the registration fees in these categories and other categories of boats represent the increase in the Consumer Price Index since 1998.

Additionally, boats must have a validation decal that must be affixed to the vessel on each side of the vessel immediately preceding or following the Tennessee identification number. Vessels with a valid document issued by the United States Coast Guard are not required to display a certificate of number but will display a current validation decal issued by TWRA.