Oklahoma boating and alcohol laws

It is illegal in the state of Oklahoma to lease or otherwise give permission to another person to operate any boat on any waters, except privately owned waters, while the operator is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances.

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

• They have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of 0.08% or greater as measured in the person’s breath or blood.
• They are under the influence of another controlled substance to a degree that makes him or her incapable of safe operation.

Penalties for drinking and boating

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

• On a first conviction, they will receive a fine of up to $1,000.
• On a second, or subsequent conviction, they will receive a fine of up to $2,500 and not less than $1,000.

OKLAHOMA BOAT REGISTRATION

In order to legally operate a motorized boat or sailboat in the state of Oklahoma, you must obtain a Certificate of Registration and validation decals. The Certificate of Registration must be carried onboard during operation and be available for inspection by law enforcement officers.

The Certificate of Number and validation decals can be obtained from any motor license agent, or by submitting an application and fee to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Registration is valid for a period of 1 year or 3 years, and expire on June 30th of the year indicated on the validation decals. Boat owners will be mailed a renewal reminder prior to the expiration date.

THESE VESSELS DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION IN OKLAHOMA

• Boats that have been federally documented by the Coast Guard.
• Boats that are only used for racing purposes.
• Boats that have been registered in another state and are using Oklahoma waters for 60 days or less.
• Human-powered craft (i.e. canoes and paddleboats).

BOAT TITLING REQUIREMENTS

A boat or engine that is required to have a title can not be registered until a title is issued in the new owner’s name. Boat and engine titles can be obtained from any county title office.

The following boats and engines must be titled in order to be sold, purchased or otherwise acquired:

• An outboard motor of 10 horsepower or greater.
• A boat that is  14 feet in length or greater,
• A boat that is under 14 feet in length that has a permanently attached, mechanical engine of 10 horsepower or greater.

BOAT TITLING REQUIREMENTS

Boat owners must apply for a title within 30 days of the purchase or transfer of a boat. The boat may be operated for 30 days prior to obtaining the title and registration so long as the original bill of sale is carried on board.

If the Certificate of Registration is lost or destroyed, boat owners must apply to the Oklahoma Tax Commission and pay a fee in order to obtain a replacement.

DO I NEED BOAT INSURANCE IN OKLAHOMA?

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

Boats in  Oklahoma 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 both sides of the bow (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, 1.5 inches in stroke width and in a color that contrasts with the color of the boat.
• The numbers must be separated from the letters by a hyphen or by an equivalent space.
• The numbers must be read from left to right on both sides of the boat.
• Validation decals must be affixed on both sides of the boat behind and in line with the registration number.

NEGLIGENT OR RECKLESS BOAT OPERATION

No person is permitted to operate any boat, parasails, water skis, surfboard, personal watercraft (PWC), or similar device, in a reckless, careless or negligent manner that may endanger the life or property of any person.

Examples of Reckless/Negligent Operation include:

• Operating a boat or allowing another person to operate a boat during hazardous weather/wind conditions which may endanger a person or their property.
• Operating in restricted areas.
• Disregarding posted speed limits, no wake zones or other boating restriction signs.
• Failing to stop for an emergency boat which is making a visible or audible signal.
• It is illegal to overload or give permission to overload a boat with passengers or gear so as to exceed the posted capacity plate, Coast Guard standards, or the recommended capacity of the boat manufacturer.

CARELESS BOAT OPERATION

In Oklahoma, it is illegal to operate a boat in a careless manner. Careless operation includes mooring, beaching or parking a boat at the edge of or within a designated swimming area or causing danger to others due to the wake of your boat. 

Non-native Aquatic Species

American waterways have been under threat from foreign aquatic plants, fish and invertebrates. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are transferred from boats and boating equipment that originate from external waterways. Once introduced to a new waterway, the ANS will detach from the contaminated boat and spread like wildfire. ANS include: Milfoil, Zebra Mussels and Quagga Mussels.

Why are ANS such a serious threat?

• They have no natural predators in U.S. waters.
• Some ANS can actually survive out of water, making transfer easy.
• They reproduce quickly.
• They have harmful effects on the native wildlife, habitats and ecosystems.

For more information on Aquatic Nuisance Species, visit: www.protectyourwaters.net/impacts.php.

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.
• Thoroughly wash your boat, including the hull, before putting it into a new body of water.
• Refer to specific drying times.