Oklahoma State Specific Regulations

Who May Operate A PWC

Only persons 12 years of age and older may legally operate a PWC alone.

As a PWC owner, you may be held responsible if you allow anyone else to operate your PWC in such a way that it violates the laws of Oklahoma.

Requirements Specific To PWC

PWC operators must follow all boating laws. In addition, they must follow requirements that are unique to their watercraft:

Each person riding on a PWC or being towed on water skis, wakeboard, or similar device, must wear a U. S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device.

If the PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch, the lanyard must be attached from the safety switch to the person, their clothing or the operator's PFD at all times while the personal watercraft is being operated.

It is illegal to operate a PWC after sunset and before sunrise, unless, the PWC is equipped with the required navigation lights for night operation.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

All boats must be equipped with the proper number of U. S. Coast Guard (USCG)-approved personal flotation devices (Type I, II, III or V) for every person onboard or any person being towed. The quantity and type of personal floatation devices is dependant on the length of your boat and the number of people onboard, including those being towed. Each PFD must be in good serviceable condition (without tears or missing straps etc.). They must be of the proper size for the intended wearer, and must be readily accessible by persons on board.

Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size (check U.S.C.G. tag on PFD for size information). In addition to the above requirements, boats 16 ft. in length or longer must have one Type IV (throwable) U. S. Coast Guard-approved PFD onboard and readily accessible for use. Children under 13 years old must wear a PFD whenever underway in a boat less than 26 feet in length. Each person on a personal watercraft, sailboard, paddleboat or similar device must wear one at all times.

The PFDs must be able to be put on in a reasonable amount of time in case an emergency occurs (boat sinking, fire, etc.). PFDs should not be kept in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments or have other gear or boating equipment stowed on top of them. Boat operators should ask everyone on their boat to wear a PFD whenever on the water. Keep the PFDs in sight at all times while boating.

Alcohol and Drugs

Oklahoma law prohibits anyone from operating any vessel or PWC, or be in physical control of any boat, vessel or PWC, while under the influence of alcohol and or drugs. Alcohol and drugs impede, or cause a loss of, a person's balance. Blurred vision, poor hand-eye coordination, and slow reaction time may also result from alcohol or drug consumption. Impaired judgment is also a concern, as people are more inclined to take risks when drinking. Being under the influence of alcohol contributes to about one-third of all boating accidents nationally.

Because people can drink faster than their system can burn off the alcohol, there is an increasing level of alcohol in their blood. The amount of alcohol not burned off is referred to as Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).

Oklahoma law states that a person is considered to be "under the influence of alcohol" if there is:

There is a concentration of alcohol (BAC) 0.10% or higher, as measured in the person's breath or blood.

There's evidence of any other intoxicating substance to a degree which makes the person incapable of safely operating the PWC or other boat.

There's evidence that the person is under the influence of alcohol, drug, other intoxicating substance to a degree which impends their safe operation of the PWC (or boat).

Oklahoma Has Established The Following Penalties:

Upon a first conviction of operating a vessel or PWC under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, the violator will receive a maximum fine of $1,000.

Upon a subsequent conviction of operating a vessel or PWC while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, the violator will receive a maximum fine of $2,500 and not less than $1,000.

By operating a PWC or boat on Oklahoma waters, boat operators have consented to be tested for the presence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances, if requested by any Oklahoma peace officer.

Failure to submit to this request for a test shall be admissible as evidence in trial.

Accidents and Casualties

A vessel operator must stop and render whatever necessary assistance possible to any person involved a boating accident, unless rendering this assistance would endanger your own boat, your life or the lives of your crew or passengers. Accidents must be reported as soon as possible to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Lake Patrol Section.

An accident report form must be filled out and submitted to the Lake Patrol Section if the accident results in any of the following situations:

The death or disappearance of any person as a result of the boat accident

Any person involved in the accident is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid

Any property damage in excess of $500, to any vessel or other structures involved in the accident

Reports of death, or the disappearance of any person, must be made by the quickest means possible to any local police department, county sheriff or highway patrol office.

In the event of a boating accident, you must provide your name, address and vessel Certificate of Registration information in writing to any injured person and to the owner of any damaged vessel or property.

If a person who is 16 years old or older, operates any vessel in a reckless manner, and is responsible for an accident resulting in the death of another person (can occur immediately or within one year after the accident), the person will be guilty of negligent homicide.

Inner Tubes, Floating Chairs or Similar Devices

These items must not be more than 50 feet from shore when being used by a swimmer. You should avoid swimming and playing in areas of high boating traffic such as boat ramps and marinas.

Local Regulations

Many Oklahoma waterways may have specific equipment and operational requirements in addition to those covered here. For example, the Grand River Dam Authority places additional lake rules and regulations on those boating on the Grand Lake of the Cherokees, Lake Hudson and W. R. Holway Reservoir. Find out what the local regulations are before you go out boating.

Races, Regattas and Tournaments

If an event is planned on Oklahoma state waters, you must contact, in advance of the event, the agency which has jurisdiction of the waters - either the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Information or the Grand River Dam Authority. If an event is being held on federally controlled waters, you must apply for a permit from the U. S. Coast Guard at least 30 days prior to the event.

Your PWC's Certificate of Boat Registration and Decal

Operators must have an Oklahoma Certificate of Registration number and a validation decal attached to the vessel in order to legally operate on public waters in Oklahoma.

The only exceptions are:

Boats that are currently registered in other states and are only using Oklahoma waters for 60 days or less

Boats that have valid U. S. Coast Guard documentation

The Certificate of Registration and validation decals may be purchased in person at any Oklahoma motor license agent (tag agent) or by submitting the proper application form and fee by mail to:

Oklahoma Tax Commission
Motor Vehicle Division
2501 North Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73194

This Certificate of Registration must be onboard and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the PWC or other vessel type is being operated. The Certificate of Boat Registration (registration card) must be carried onboard the boat whenever the boat is operated.

The issued registration number and valid Oklahoma decal must be displayed in the following manner:

The number must be painted in contrasting colors of the vessel, attached as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow, as high on the hull as possible.

The number characters shall read from left to right on both sides of the bow.

The registration number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters and numbers.

The number must be kept legible at all times.

The valid registration card must be carried onboard the boat whenever the boat is being operated.

The color of the number must contrast with the color of the background.

The letters and numbers must be separated by a space or hyphen. For example: "OK 4718 AB" or "OK-4718-AB."

No other numbers or letters of any type may be displayed on either side of the bow.

The valid registration decal must be affixed to both sides of the bow, in the area just behind (towards the stern) and in-line, with the number.

Registering and Titling - Outboard Motors

Outboard motors that are 10 horsepower or more are required to be titled and have a current Oklahoma Certificate of Registration.

Applying for a title and registration certificate for an outboard motor is made separately from that of a boat. It must be submitted within 30 days of purchase or transfer of ownership. If you title and register a boat with an outboard motor it will require you to fill out TWO forms, one for the boat and a separate one for the motor.

The registration of a motor must be renewed annually. The Certificate of Registration is valid for one year and expires on June 30th each year. Owners of registered motors are issued a motor registration decal, which should be displayed on the upper back side of the motor on the left.

Hull Identification Number

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique number, assigned by the manufacturer, to boats built after 1972.

Hull Identification Numbers (HINs):

1. Identify one boat from another

2. Are engraved in the fiberglass or on a metal plate attached to the transom

3. Should be recorded by the owner and put in a place other than the boat in case warranty problems arise or the boat is lost or stolen

Boats are assigned a HIN or serial number by the following process:

1. The owner submits the proper documents to the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Tax Commission

2. MVD reviews the documents and issues the applicant written instructions to be provided to the Department of Public Safety (DPS)

3. DPS inspects the boat, and if appropriate, completes a form to be submitted along with the other documents, to a motor license agent or MVD for issuance of a title and registration

4. A copy of the Oklahoma Certificate of Registration must be carried with the boat and/or motor when in operation on the water

Homemade boats and boats or motors without HIN or serial numbers:

1. May be assigned hull identification numbers only by the Department of Public Safety, Lake Patrol Section of the Highway Patrol