An undocumented vessel is registered by DMV and does not have a marine certificate issued by the United States (U.S.) Coast Guard.

A documented vessel is registered and issued a marine certificate by the U.S. Coast Guard. It does not require DMV registration. Please see the previous note.

You are required to register your undocumented vessel and pay applicable fees before it is placed in California waters.

Assembly Bill (AB) 2443 (Chapter 485, Statutes of 2012) authorized the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways to require DMV to collect an additional quagga and zebra mussel infestation prevention fee.

Effective December 31, 2013, this fee is due on all vessels subject to registration in the state. The fee is due upon initial vessel registration and biennially upon vessel registration renewal. Vessels used exclusively in marine waters are exempt from the additional fee. Fee-exempt vessels and CF numbers issued to vessel dealers and manufacturers are exempt from the program.

Funds from this additional fee will be used to, among other things, implement and administer non-native dreissenid mussel monitoring, inspection, and infestation prevention programs.

Unless exempt from the program, a unique identifying sticker will be issued for the vessel as evidence of payment of this fee and must be attached to the vessel. The sticker allows the vessel to be operated in all waters of the state unless expressly prohibited. If your vessel is used exclusively in marine waters, you may claim an exemption from this fee by notifying DMV.

Additional information regarding quagga and zebra mussels is available from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways at www.dbw.ca.gov or by calling 1-888-326-2822.

Regulations Development

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways have adopted emergency regulations to establish the procedures for the collection and use of the quagga and zebra mussel infestation prevention fee as required by California Harbors and Navigation Code Chapter 5, Division 3, Article 1.3 §675 through 676 beginning with vessel registration payable on December 31, 2013. These emergency regulations specify how the fee will be collected and the criteria for administering the grants in accordance with the statutes.

For additional information on the requirements of AB 2443, please consult the chaptered version of AB 2443.

To pay the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation fee and obtain a Quagga sticker, please go to the Quagga Sticker Request page.