MD registration, safety class required?

[zz4gta]

I live in VA but my boat is in MD and I need to get it registered there b/c most of the bay I'll be sailing in is MD waters. I've found the form and have a bill of sale but it looks like MD requires a safety class to operate the boat in MD waters. The course is $15 and can be taken online. I was wondering if its possible for me to register the boat in VA and avoid this requirement. If not, how long does the registration take to process? Thanks.

[camaraderie]

If the boat is kept in MD waters, it must be registered in MD and you will pay annual use tax there as well.

[merlin2375]

Here are the rules for:

Maryland
Virginia

I don't know about the registration process but do know that the online course will maybe take you an hour, it's pretty simple stuff.

Where will the boat be kept?

[chucklesR]

Oh the fun of out of state boaters.
Thank you ZZ because whether you know it or not you will also be paying an excise tax that is the difference between VA sales tax and MD sales tax. Fortunately for your boat that's not a small fortune, but do keep it in mind.

Thank you for supporting my boating habit.
The boating safety course only applies if you are young (July 1972) us old farts get better insurance so we are free to be stupid on the water.

[zz4gta]

All you MD boaters, you are welcome. And yes, I missed the '72 cut off date by 9 years. So close...

[JohnRPollard]

If your boat is federally documented, you don't have to register it in MD.

But you still have to get a MD sticker ($5/year) and pay the one-time 5% excise tax if you will primarily keep the boat in MD waters. There are a few exceptions that will let you avoid the MD excise tax, but they don't apply to most people.

The test is pretty straightforward. My son passed it when he was 10.

[chucklesR]

6% tax, raised as of 1/08 - however you only have to pay the difference in state tax between Va and Md. Provided of course you can prove you paid the tax in Va. You did keep the receipt didn't you

[zz4gta]

VA doesn't know I own a boat yet. And 6% ain't that bad on a boat, trailer, and motor I got for $1200.

Edit: just passed the boaters course.

[chucklesR]

Congrats!
Got a receipt for the 1200?
Don't worry, they will only charge the blue book value if you don't. Maryland is very aggressive re: taxes.

[zz4gta]

Ya, I have the original, signed bill of sale, and a copy of the check. So I should be good.