Overview
The bigger surprise is the tax rate. While cars owe 4.15% Sales and Use Tax, Virginia taxes watercraft at just 2% - and caps the total tax at $2,000 no matter how expensive the boat is, so a $500,000 yacht owes the same $2,000 in tax as a $100,000 boat. If you already paid sales tax to another state on the same vessel, Virginia only collects the difference up to its 2% rate.
01 - Official fees
Virginia boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 ft | $32 | 3-year registration |
| 16 ft to under 20 ft | $36 | 3-year registration |
| 20 ft to under 40 ft | $42 | 3-year registration |
| 40 ft and over | $50 | 3-year registration |
| Watercraft title fee | $10.00 | |
| Watercraft sales & use tax | 2% | capped at $2,000 total, any price |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Virginia DMV (your county or city Commissioner of the Revenue collects the annual car tax) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Virginia
- 1
Get the seller's signed-over title (or the dealer's paperwork for a new purchase).
- 2
Complete DWR Form BRT-001 (Application to Register and Title a Boat).
- 3
Submit to Virginia DWR by mail, online, or at a DWR office, along with proof of the sale price.
- 4
Pay the $10 title fee, the length-based registration fee, and 2% watercraft tax (capped at $2,000).
- 5
Display your registration numbers and current decal on both sides of the bow as required.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Virginia vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Virginia boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Virginia?
For three years: $32 under 16 ft, $36 for 16 ft to under 20 ft, $42 for 20 ft to under 40 ft, $50 at 40 ft and up. New owners also pay a $10 title fee and 2% watercraft sales tax, capped at $2,000 regardless of the boat's price.
Why is the boat tax rate so much lower than the car tax rate?
Virginia taxes watercraft under a separate statute from motor vehicles, at 2% instead of the 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax - and unlike vehicles, it's capped at a flat $2,000 maximum. A $2 million yacht and a $100,000 boat both max out at exactly $2,000 in tax.
Do kayaks or canoes need to register with DWR?
No - non-motorized kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are exempt regardless of length. Add any motor, including an electric trolling motor, and registration becomes mandatory.
Is there sales tax on a used boat bought from a private seller?
Yes, the same 2% applies to private-party sales, assessed on the price you report to DWR (subject to review if it looks understated relative to the boat's value).
What if I already paid sales tax on the boat in another state?
Virginia only collects the difference. If you paid 3% elsewhere, you owe nothing further here since that already exceeds Virginia's 2%. If you paid 1%, Virginia collects the remaining 1 percentage point, still capped at $2,000 total.
Does my boat trailer register with DWR too?
No - a boat trailer is a vehicle and registers through the DMV like any trailer, completely separate from the boat's DWR registration and title.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.