Florida Freedom Boater Decal FAQs
A new state law requires boat owners/operators to demonstrate compliance with boating safety equipment requirements at the time of vessel registration or renewal. Those who sign an attestation form indicating compliance with Florida boating safety equipment requirements will be issued a Florida Freedom Boater Safety inspection decal by county tax collector or license plate agent offices. The attestation form and decal are expected to be available later in 2025.
NOTE: Please do not bring your vessel or associated boating safety equipment to the county tax collector or license plate agent office. Compliance with Florida boating safety equipment requirements is signified by the signing of an attestation form.
Please see the FAQs below for more information about the Florida Freedom Boater Safety inspection decal.
The Florida Freedom Boater Safety decal will be issued by county tax collector or license plate agent offices at the time of registration or renewal after an attestation form is signed, which indicates compliance with Florida boating safety equipment requirements.
No, the Florida Freedom Boater Safety decal will be issued by county tax collector or license plate agent offices at the time of registration or renewal after an attestation form is signed, which indicates compliance with Florida boating safety equipment requirements.
No, the Florida Freedom Boater Safety decal will be issued by county tax collector or license plate agent offices at the time of registration or renewal after an attestation form is signed, which indicates compliance with Florida boating safety equipment requirements.
At the time of vessel registration or renewal, individuals who sign an attestation form indicating compliance with Florida boating safety equipment requirements will be issued a Florida Freedom Boater decal, which will replace the safety inspection decal.
The Florida Freedom Boater decal is issued to those who sign an attestation form indicating their compliance with Florida boating safety equipment regulations.
A purchaser of a new or used vessel has 30 days to title and register their vessel and can obtain the Florida Freedom Boater decal when they register their boat.
Learn more about vessel titling and registration.
Yes. For nonmotorized vessels that are not required to be registered, the Florida Freedom Boater safety inspection decal must be located above the waterline on the forward half of the port side of the vessel.
Individuals who refuse to sign the attestation indicating compliance with Florida boating safety equipment requirements shall not be issued a Florida Freedom Boater decal.
No.
There is not a separate fee for the Florida Freedom Boater decal, which is issued at the time of vessel registration or renewal.
No. Please do NOT bring your vessel or associated boating safety equipment to the county tax collector or license plate agent office. Compliance with Florida boating safety equipment requirements is signified by the signing of an attestation form.
Compliance with Florida boating safety equipment requirements is signified by the signing of an attestation form at the county tax collector or license plate agent office during the vessel registration or renewal process.
A law enforcement officer may not board a vessel or conduct a vessel stop for the sole purpose of inspecting safety or marine sanitation equipment. Safety and marine sanitation equipment violations are secondary offenses.
A law enforcement officer may stop a vessel for any other lawful purpose if the officer has probable cause to believe a violation has occurred or is occurring.
The Florida Freedom Boater safety inspection decal must be located within 6 inches of the inspected vessel’s properly displayed vessel registration decal. For nonmotorized vessels that are not required to be registered, the Florida Freedom Boater safety inspection decal must be located above the waterline on the forward half of the port side of the vessel.
You can obtain a Florida Freedom Boater decal when you renew your vessel registration.
- Find information about boating safety equipment requirements.
- Get boating safety tips.