What Size Boat Not Needed To Register In Va

Who is immune to drive a boat? What happens if the commuter/boater is intoxicated? How one-time do y'all have to be to stop wearing your life jacket? What is required to operate a boat in Virginia?
We reply all these questions and more in this comprehensive guide to Virginia boating law and Virginia kayaking laws !

Virginia boating and kayaking law

Who is allowed to drive a gunkhole?

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, anyone of whatever age is immune to operate a non-motorized boat (such as a kayak or canoe). Virginia kayak laws state that if the gunkhole has a motor of 10 horsepower or greater, the operator must be 14 years old or older and consummate a boating safety course.
Anyone operating a motorized gunkhole or vessel must carry proof that they have completed the form (this is similar a driver's license for boats). If you are caught driving illegally, you can be fined.

What are the boating safety laws?

In this article, we encompass ii boat rubber requirements : registration and life jackets.

Virginia Boat Registration

Whatsoever non-motorized water vehicle (such as a kayak or canoe) up to 18 feet does not need to exist registered in Virginia. Whatever motorized vehicle of any length does need to exist registered.

You can register and pay your Virginia boating license fees online. One time you lot practice, you will receive validation decals, which yous must display next to your registration numbers near the front (bow) of your vessel.

Life Jackets

Also known every bit Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) or life vests, life jackets are recommended for wearable for anyone on the water at any time. However, they are merely required by law for anyone up through the age of 12.
If you are not wearing your life jacket, yous are required to take one of the appropriate size easily accessible for each person in your vessel in case of emergency. Failure to comply with these laws could result in a fine. Or worse, they could event in dangerous, life-threatening situations which could end badly.

What is reckless boat operation?

Virginia reckless boat operation

Virginia takes safe boat operation seriously and punishes reckless operation .

The police force defines reckless boat functioning as operating "any personal watercraft recklessly or at a speed or in such a manner so every bit to endanger the life, limb or property of whatsoever person…"

Examples include:

Weaving through stopped vessels at an unreasonable speed.
Following another vessel as well closely, or "jumping the wake" of a vessel.
Cutting between a gunkhole and the person information technology is towing (on water skis or the like).
Purposely getting close to another person or h2o vessel and and so turning sharply with the intent to spray them with h2o.

If you are caught doing any of these things, you tin can exist charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor the get-go time. If convicted of a Class one Misdemeanor, the punishment is upwards to 12 months in jail and/or up to $2,500 in fines. A second and subsequent violation is besides Class one Misdemeanor PLUS you could lose your Virginia boating privileges for upwardly to 12 months.

If you have been charged with reckless boat functioning, please contact Cook Attorneys immediately. Nosotros can help you defend yourself in court, or even avert courtroom altogether.

What happens if I'm drinking and boating?

Can you go a DUI on a boat ? The canoeing equivalent of a DUI is a BUI—Boating Nether the Influence. Sometimes, it's called a BWI— Boating While Intoxicated . While many people like to bask a beer while boating, Virginia frowns heavily on BUIs.

boating while intoxicated in Virginia

If y'all are nether 21, and you are caught operating a motorized vessel with whatsoever booze content in your system, you volition be charged with BUI.
If you lot are 21 or over, and you are operating a motorized vessel with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08% or college, y'all will be charged. Information technology'southward the same if yous take certain levels of cocaine or methamphetamines in your system.

The Boating Under the Influence penalty is a Course one Misdemeanor, which means you could confront to 1 year in jail and/or $2,500 in fines. You could also have your boating privileges revoked.

Contact Melt Attorneys if you are accused of violating boating and/or kayaking law in Virginia. Acquire more about our traffic defense service , which includes defense force of water traffic violations.