I believe if you have ors on the boat then yes you do as well as a few other items. If you use only flippers and have no ors on the craft I believe then you do not. You also need a whistle, your name and address located visibly somewhere on the craft. I have my info on the back of the seat. I think there are a few more regs I can not remember. The best thing you can do is to register your pontoon. Hope that helps...Pope