Overview
Sales tax on boats is also its own system: 6.25% like vehicles, but administered by TPWD with a cap - Texas limits boat sales tax to the first $350,000 of the price. All motorized boats and any sailboat 14 feet or longer must register; kayaks and paddleboards are exempt. The calculator below totals registration, titles, and tax for your purchase.
01 - Official fees
Texas boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 ft (Class A) | $32 | 2-year registration |
| 16 ft to under 26 ft (Class 1) | $53 | 2-year registration |
| 26 ft to under 40 ft (Class 2) | $110 | 2-year registration |
| 40 ft and over (Class 3) | $150 | 2-year registration |
| Boat title | $27 | |
| Outboard motor title | $27 | titled separately in Texas |
| Boat sales tax | 6.25% | capped at first $350,000 of price |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county tax assessor-collector's office (TxDMV) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Texas
- 1
Buy with a signed-over boat title AND a separate motor title if there's an outboard.
- 2
Complete TPWD Form PWD-143 (boat) and PWD-144 (outboard motor).
- 3
Submit at a TPWD office, participating county tax office, or by mail within 45 working days.
- 4
Pay registration by length class, $27 per title, and 6.25% sales tax on the purchase.
- 5
Display the TX numbers and validation decal on both sides of the bow.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Texas vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Texas boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Texas?
For two years: $32 under 16 ft, $53 for 16–25'11", $110 for 26–39'11", $150 for 40 ft+. First-time buyers add $27 per title (boat and outboard motor are separate titles) and 6.25% sales tax on the purchase price.
Do kayaks or jon boats need registration in Texas?
Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards with no motor: no registration, any length. Add even a trolling motor and registration becomes mandatory. Sailboats register at 14 feet and longer, or any length if motorized.
Why did I pay two title fees when I bought a used boat?
Texas titles outboard motors separately from the boat itself - $27 for the hull title, $27 for the motor title. Inboard motors are part of the boat; it's specifically outboards that carry their own title.
Is there sales tax on a used boat bought from a private seller?
Yes, 6.25% paid to TPWD at registration, based on the sale price (TPWD can question suspiciously low declarations). Texas caps taxable value at $350,000, so the maximum boat sales tax is $21,875 no matter the price.
What's the deadline to transfer a boat title in Texas?
45 working days from the sale - more generous than the 30 calendar days for vehicles. Late transfers owe tax penalties similar to vehicles: 5% after the deadline, 10% if it drags past 60 days.
Does my boat trailer register with TPWD too?
No - the trailer is a vehicle. It registers with your county tax office through TxDMV like any trailer ($45/year under 6,000 lbs), completely separate from the boat's TPWD paperwork.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.