How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in West Virginia?
Registering a boat in West Virginia costs $30–$75 per 3-year cycle, based on length. It's handled by the West Virginia DMV and renews every 3 years. Non-motorized craft like kayaks and canoes are generally exempt (check local rules for sailboats). Boats with motors — including trolling motors on otherwise unpowered craft — almost always require registration.
Cost by boat size
| Boat | Per year | One-time (title etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| 14-ft motorboat | $10.00 | $15.00 |
| 20-ft motorboat | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| 28-ft motorboat | $20.00 | $15.00 |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Fees cover a full 3-year cycle (prorated if you enter mid-cycle) — effectively $10–$25 per year.
- Boats under 3 hp pay no fee; non-motorized craft don't register.
West Virginia: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in West Virginia?
Generally no — unpowered craft are exempt in West Virginia. But the moment you mount any motor, including an electric trolling motor, registration is required.
How often do I renew a boat registration in West Virginia?
Every 3 years — the fee shown covers the full 3-year period.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in West Virginia?
Yes — in West Virginia the boat and the trailer are two separate registrations. The boat's fee is above; the trailer registers as a utility trailer with the motor-vehicle agency, priced by the trailer's weight (often a low flat fee or a one-time permanent plate). See our West Virginia trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in West Virginia?
Yes — West Virginia issues a boat title for a one-time $15 fee, generally required for larger or newer motorized vessels (smaller craft are often exempt). The title is separate from the registration fee shown above.
Do I have to register a jet ski or PWC in West Virginia?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in West Virginia, usually in the smallest length class. The same West Virginia DMV handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in West Virginia?
Boat registration in West Virginia is handled by the West Virginia DMV. You can generally register in person, by mail, or online, and you'll need proof of ownership (a bill of sale or title) plus the fee shown above. Renew every 3 years before your decal expires.
Estimate your exact West Virginia cost
Your boat
- Registration fee (by length)$45 per 3-year cycle$45.00
- Title fee$15.00
Estimate only — actual fees are set by your state and county at the time of registration. Data last reviewed 2026-07-16.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://transportation.wv.gov/dmv/ — last reviewed 2026-07-16.