NEVADA BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS

It is illegal in the state of Nevada to operate any boat, or manipulate any waterskis, surfboard or similar device while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.

In Nevada, a person is considered to be under the influence if:

• They are impaired by alcohol, drugs or a combination of such substances.
• They have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)  level of 0.08 or more.

FINES AND PENALTIES

In Nevada, a person convicted of operating a boat while under the influence will be subject to the following penalties:

• Jail time for up to 6 months.
• A fine of up to $1,000.
• Court costs.
• Testing fees.

The penalty for boating under the influence (BUI) causing death or injury is:

• Jail time from 2-20 years.
• A fine from $2,000-$5,000.

NEVADA BOAT REGISTRATION

To operate a boat in the state of Nevada you must obtain a Certificate of Number and validation decals.

Nevada Certificates of Number and validation decals are obtained through the Nevada Department of Wildlife, by submitting an application form and a fee. Once obtained, the Certificate of Number must be carried on board at all times during operation, and must be available for inspection by law enforcement. In Nevada, boats that require registration must also be titled.

Certificates of Number are valid for one year and expire December 31st of the year they were issued.

THESE VESSELS DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION IN NEVADA

• A ship’s lifeboats.
• Boats that have been registered in another state, and are temporarily using Nevada waters for 90 consecutive days or less.
• Sailboats and human-powered boats (i.e. canoes, kayaks, etc.).

CHANGE OF ADDRESS REQUIREMENTS

Boat owners that have changed their address must notify the Nevada Department of Wildlife in writing, within 10 days of the change. They are required to do the same if their boat is abandoned, destroyed, or stolen. If a Certificate of Number, decal or title is lost or destroyed, boat owners are required to pay a fee and submit an application in order to obtain a duplicate.

DO I NEED BOAT INSURANCE IN NEVADA?

Boats in Nevada are not required to be insured, however it is recommended. 

Boats in Nevada are required to correctly display their registration number and validations stickers. 

Registration numbers and stickers must be displayed as follows:

• Numbers must be applied as a decal, painted or permanently affixed to the forward half of each side of the boat (boat owners are not permitted to display any other numbers in this area).
• The registration number must be in bold block letters that are at least 3 inches high and in a color that contrasts with the color of the boat.
• The numbers in the registration number must be separated from the letters by a hyphen or by an equivalent space.
• The numbers must be read from left to right.
• Validation decals must be affixed to each side of the boat, behind the registration number (towards the stern) and must be within 6 inches of, and in line with the registration number.
• The placement requirements also apply to personal watercraft (PWCs).

ENGINE CUT OFF SWITCH REQUIREMENTS 

In Nevada, all operators or motorized boat which are equipped with an engine cut-off switch (such as a Personal Watercraft), must keep the lanyard attached to their person when operating at more than 5 mph.

NEGLIGENT BOAT OPERATION

It is illegal in the state of Nevada to operate any boat or manipulate any waterskis, surfboard or similar device in a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person.

Examples of reckless operation include:

• Riding on the bow, gunwale, transom or outboard engine cover.
• Maneuvering a towed skier or device so as to pass the towline over another boat or its skier.
• Chasing or harassing wildlife with any boat.
• Navigating any boat, skis or device between a towing boat and its tow.
• Operating a motorized boat while any person is hanging onto, or sitting, standing or riding on, a swim platform or a swim ladder that is attached to the boat.
• Overloading a boat beyond it’s safe carrying capacity.

NON-NATIVE AQUATIC SPECIES

The spread of quagga mussels in Nevada poses a risk to the native aquatic wildlife, ecosystems and to all of Nevada’s water-based recreation!

Quagga mussels are a non-native species that have been discovered in the Colorado River system and in Lake Mead. They collect in industrial and municipal water pipes, eventually blocking them and costing the state millions of dollars to treat and clear. Unfortunately, they spread easily from one body of water to the next, which is why boaters must actively prevent the spread of this AIS.

Nevada requires boaters (both motorized and human-powered) to purchase an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) decal from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), prior to boat operation on Nevada waterways. These decals generate funds that go directly into Nevada’s AIS mitigation and preventative programs. This includes all motorized boats (from in-and-out of state) and all human-powered craft (i.e. canoes, kayaks and rowboats). Exemptions include: Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs), float tubes and other watercraft that will not retain water, and also kayaks that are self-bailing (with no internal storage compartments that will retain water).

HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES

• Inspect all surfaces of your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before leaving any body of water.
• Ensure you flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea-strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.
• Empty and dry any buckets before leaving a body of water. 
• Remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props. 
• Dispose of plant fragments and bait into a garbage receptacle on land.  
• Avoid chopping vegetation with your boat’s propeller.
• Clean and dry all live-wells prior to transporting your boat.
• Drain all water from your motor and bilge and dry all areas. t.
• Thoroughly wash your boat, including the hull, before putting it into a new body of water.
• Refer to specific drying times.