How to navigate the new boating decal requirements for the 2025 season

If you’ve been out on the water recently, you may have noticed a new sticker appearing on the bows of New Hampshire boats. Beginning Jan. 1, all motorboats registered in the state are required to display not one, but two decals: the traditional boat registration sticker and a new state boating fee decal. This update, prompted by federal requirements, ensures that New Hampshire remains eligible for critical funding from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The change comes from House Bill 1304, which was signed into law in response to a Coast Guard audit that found New Hampshire’s previous bundled fee system did not meet federal standards. In years past, the state collected a single fee as part of boat registration that supported a variety of boating-related programs. Under the new system, these fees must be accounted for separately, and that’s where the new decal comes in. While the increase to boaters is minimal, the new decal carries a $3 fee to cover the cost of the new sticker.

Starting in 2025, boaters receive two decals when they register their vessel. The first is the familiar registration sticker. The second is a boating safety and access fee decal, which must also be displayed on the forward half of the hull, one on each side of the bow. The new sticker makes it easier for the state to track compliance with how funds are used, satisfying federal grant rules and maintaining access to essential resources for boating infrastructure and safety.

The fees collected through this program directly support a range of services that benefit everyone on the water. These include the New Hampshire Marine Patrol, which enforces boating laws and responds to emergencies; the Department of Environmental Services’ aquatic invasive species prevention efforts; and infrastructure maintenance projects like public boat launches, docks, and navigation markers. The funds also support boater education programs that promote safe and responsible recreation on New Hampshire’s lakes and rivers.

Out-of-state boaters should also be aware of an existing law requiring the purchase of an Aquatic Invasive Species decal. Any motorized vessel not registered in New Hampshire must display a $20 AIS decal before launching in New Hampshire waters. This annual fee helps fund prevention and monitoring efforts aimed at protecting lakes from harmful invasive species such as variable milfoil and spiny water flea.

Whether you live here year-round or are just visiting for the summer, it’s important to stay informed and in compliance. While the second decal may seem like a small change, it plays a big role in sustaining the programs that make New Hampshire’s waterways safer, cleaner, and more accessible to all.

For more information on the new boating decal requirements, visit

dmv.nh.gov.

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Bree Rossiter is the conservation program manager for the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance. She leads the water quality and cyanobacteria monitoring efforts, coordinates the LakeSmart program to promote lake-friendly practices among property owners, and supports community education and outreach initiatives. Bree can be reached at brossiter@winnipesaukee.org. The Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance is the only nonprofit dedicated to protecting the water quality and natural resources of Lake Winnipesaukee and its watershed. To learn more visit winnipesaukee.org.