(a) General rule.--Except as provided in section 5302 (relating to exemptions), it is unlawful for any person to operate or navigate, or cause to be operated or navigated, any motorboat upon, over or through the waters of this Commonwealth unless the motorboat is registered in accordance with this subchapter.
(b) Out-of-State registration.--When another state is the state of principal operation of a boat and the boat is numbered and validly registered in that state under a numbering system approved by the Secretary of the Federal Department of Transportation, the boat is deemed in compliance with this chapter while temporarily operating on waters of this Commonwealth.
(c) Moving boat into this Commonwealth.--When Pennsylvania becomes the place of principal operation of a boat, numbered and validly registered in another state, the number issued by the other state shall be recognized for a period of 60 days from the date the boat is moved to Pennsylvania during which time the owner of the boat shall apply for and obtain a Pennsylvania registration and number.
(d) Penalty.--Any person who violates this section commits a summary offense of the third degree.
(Dec. 22, 1989, P.L.735, No.102, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Dec. 12, 1991, P.L.368, No.39, eff. imd.; July 2, 1996, P.L.467, No.73)
1996 Amendment. Section 4(3) of Act 73 provided that the amendment of section 5301 shall take effect six months after the effective date of regulations promulgated under the authority of section 5325.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 53 - Registration and Titling of Boats
Section 5301 - Registration of motorboats required
Section 5303 - Voluntary and special registrations
Section 5305 - Application for registration
Section 5306 - Certificate of registration
Section 5307 - Dealer registration
Section 5308 - Period of registration
Section 5309 - Change of address of registrant
Section 5310 - Display of registration number
Section 5311 - Tampering with identification numbers or capacity plates
Section 5312 - Transfer, destruction or abandonment of boat
Section 5313 - Records open to public
Section 5321 - Certificate of title required
Section 5322 - When certificate of title not required
Section 5323 - Content and effect of certificate of title
Section 5324 - Refusing issuance of certificate of title
Section 5325 - Rules and regulations
Section 5326 - Offenses relating to titling
Section 5331 - Scope of subchapter
Section 5334 - Notice for boats and related equipment
Section 5335 - Notice for watercraft trailers
Section 5336 - Responsibility of commission
Section 5337 - Publication for boats and related equipment
Section 5338 - Publication for watercraft trailers