Owning a swimming appliance is not only a pleasure of fishing or cruising on the water, but also a legal responsibility to the state. Many owners of water appliances mistakenly believe that if their vessel is small, then there is no need to register anything for it. However, Russian legislation clearly regulates which objects are subject to mandatory registration, primarily for motorboats and themselves. boat-engineIf the power exceeds the established threshold.
The process of filing documents may seem like bureaucratic red tape, but understanding the procedure will save you time and money. It is important to distinguish between the notions of registering the vessel itself (hull) and registering the engine as a separate source of increased danger. Often these processes are parallel, but have their own nuances, especially when it comes to buying an outboard motor separately from the boat. Ignoring the requirements can lead to serious fines and even seizure of equipment by GIMS inspectors during a raid.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the current rules for the current year, find out what engines must be registered, and prepare a full list of necessary documents. You will learn how the technical inspection is carried out, where to pay the state duty and what steps should be taken immediately after buying a new or used one. Tohatsu, Yamaha or MercuryProper preparation for the visit to the inspection is the key to a quick and successful registration.
What motors are subject to mandatory registration
The first question that any boat owner has is, do I need to register my particular engine? Under the current legislation, namely the Code of Administrative Offences and the Decrees of the Government of the Russian Federation, all small vessels used for sports and recreation are subject to registration. The key parameter here is the weight of the curbed vessel and engine power. For outboard motors, the power threshold is 5 horsepower (about 3.68 kW).
If your engine is 5 hp or higher, registration is mandatory, regardless of whether the boat hull is made of PVC, aluminum or plastic. It is important to note that it is the passport power specified in the manufacturer's documents, and not the actual power that the engine produces on the water. Even if you artificially "strangled" the engine up to 4 hp, but the passport is listed 6 hp, the inspector has every right to write a fine for not registering.
⚠️ Warning: Buying the motor with your hands, be sure to check the engine number on the body with the number in the PTS. If the numbers do not match or have traces of mechanical impact, registration will be denied, and the equipment can be withdrawn for examination.
There is also a nuance with electric motors: Electric motors of any power do not require registration with GIMS, unless they are the main engine for a vessel weighing more than 200 kg in running order. However, if you use a hybrid or a gasoline engine-generator, the rules may apply differently. Always check the status of your equipment with the inspector when buying.
- 🚤 Mandatory registration is subject to motors with a capacity of 5 hp (3.68 kW) and above.
- ⚓ It is the factory capacity specified in the product passport, and not the real traction.
- 📜 Electric motors generally do not require registration unless the vessel is classified as a large small size.
- 🛑 The lack of registration entails a fine and a ban on the operation of the reservoir.
Required documents for registration in GIMS
The collection of documents is the stage where there are most hitches. In order to visit the inspection of GIMS (State Inspectorate for small craft) was successful, you need to prepare originals and copies of all papers. Contract of sale It should be in triplicate: one stays with the seller, one with you, and one is sent to the GIMS.
The second critical document is Vehicle passport (PSM) or certificate of conformity for outboard motors. The passport must be marked with a mark of sale (date and signature of the seller) if the engine is new, or the previous owner, if used. Without a mark of sale in the PSM, the inspector will not be able to confirm the legality of the transfer of ownership, and you will need your personal passport of a Russian citizen and TIN.
☑️ Documents for GIMS
If the motor has been purchased long ago and the documents are lost, the procedure for regaining ownership is much more complicated and may require a court to recognize ownership. Therefore, keep all checks, contracts and technical passports in a secure place, preferably making digital copies of them.
| Document | Necessity | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Russian passport | Sure. | I need an original and a copy of all the pages. |
| Contract of sale | Sure. | 3 copies filled with pen |
| PSM (engine data sheet) | Sure. | With a sales stamp and store stamp |
| State duty receipt | Sure. | Payment before visiting GIMS |
| Certificate of conformity | On demand | Usually included in the PSM kit |
Step-by-step procedure for engine registration
The process of registering an outboard motor is strictly regulated by the administrative regulations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The first step is to visit a specialized store or meet with the seller to formalize the transaction. Sales contracts Make sure the contract clearly states the model of the engine, its serial number, year of manufacture and passport details of both parties.
After purchase, you have to pay the state fee for registration documents and license plates. Payment details can be obtained from the GIMS office or found on the official website of the department of your region. It is important to pay the fee for "registration of a small vessel" or "issuing rights", depending on the current tariffator, so that the payment is not lost.
Where to find the exact details for payment of the fee?
The details are always up to date on the official website of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations in your region under the section “Public Services” or “For Citizens”, and can be obtained from a branch of Sberbank or through online banking, choosing the appropriate recipient of payment.
With the package of documents and the fee paid, you arrive at the GIMS office, where you write an application for registration, which is checked by the inspector, if all the documents are in order, the time for a technical inspection is assigned (if you need it), or the documents are immediately issued, the entire process ideally takes no more than one working day, if there are no queues and problems with the documents.
The secret to success is to fill out the contract perfectly, and any fault or error in the engine number can lead to a refusal to accept documents.
Technical inspection and assignment of numbers
Although new engines that are less than 1 year old often do not require inspection (document checks are sufficient), for used vehicles or in controversial cases, the inspector has the right to require the motor to be shown. engine The case matches the number in the documents and has no signs of forgery or interruption.
During the inspection, the equipment and safety of the engine are also checked, the inspector can check for checks (engine emergency stop cable) if it is provided by the design. If the engine is used, it is recommended to pre-clean it of dirt, oil and algae so that the number is clearly readable. In some cases, photo recording of the engine from different angles is required by a GIMS officer.
⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to clean your engine number with a metal brush or sandpaper until it shines, which can damage the stigma and be regarded as an attempt to conceal the number, which will entail criminal liability.
After passing the test, you will be given a small vessel registration card (even if only the engine is registered, the entry is entered in the general registers) and side numbers. The side numbers must be applied to the boats (or to the transom, if the boat is without boards, but this is rare) according to the scheme.
- 🔍 The engine number must be read without magnifying devices and be clean.
- 📸 The inspector may request a photo of the motor for the GIMS archive.
- 🧼 Dirt and oil on the crankcase can cause denial of admission to the examination.
- 🚫 Independent restoration of the room is prohibited by law.
The cost of registration and the amount of state duty
The cost of registration is made up of the state fee for the issuance of registration documents and, if necessary, for the issuance of license plates. Tariffs are set by the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and can be indexed, so it is better to specify the current amount immediately before payment.
Separately, you should consider the possible costs of travel to the place of registration, especially if the GIMS office is far from your home, and the cost of making copies of documents. If you turn to the services of intermediaries or law firms to speed up the process, their services are paid separately and can cost from 3 to 10 thousand rubles, which is much higher than the state fee.
Pay the state duty through the portal "State Services" or online bank with a commission of 0%. This will not only save time on visiting the bank, but also allow you to instantly receive confirmation of payment, which is accepted in GIMS.
It is important to understand that the savings on registration can be more expensive: the penalty for operating an unregistered small vessel or not registering an engine is from 1500 to 2000 rubles. If you violate it again, the fine can be increased, so that a single payment of the state duty is fully paid off by the calmness and legality of ownership of equipment.
Liability for Violations and Important Nuances
The operation of water vehicles without proper registration is a risk that should not be taken. GIMS inspectors regularly raid popular bodies of water, checking the availability of documents and the conformity of the engines with the declared specifications. Failure to register is considered an administrative offense. In addition to a fine, the inspector has the right to prohibit further movement on the water until the violations are corrected, which can mean the evacuation of the boat to the parking lot.
There is also a nuance to handover: If you handed over control of a boat with an unregistered engine to another person, a fine can be issued to both the owner and the actual user. In the case of a water accident, the lack of registration makes it difficult to insurance and receive payments, since the equipment is considered illegal.
Another important thing is that you sell the engine, and if you decide to sell the outboard motor, you have to deregister it or re-issue the registration for a new owner, and you can't just "give" the engine under the contract of sale without notifying GIMS, and the taxes and penalties will come to the former owner, and the deregistration procedure is similar to registration, but you apply for it.
Do I need to register the engine if the boat is already registered?
Yes, if the engine power exceeds 5 hp, registration of the vessel (hull) and registration of the engine are different procedures. In the documents on the boat, the engine number is entered, but the engine itself as a source of increased danger must have its registration data in the GIMS register.
Can I register a motor if I bought it 5 years ago?
Yes, the limitation period does not matter, but the main thing is that there is a valid Sale Agreement and a Vehicle Passport (VSP), and if the PSM is lost, it is extremely difficult to restore it, you will need to request a manufacturer or a court.
What to do if the engine number is worn?
If the room is worn naturally (corrosion), you need an examination, if there is a suspicion of interruption, it is a criminal case, in case of natural wear, you write a statement, you do an examination, you set the original number, and then you can register.
Do I need to have a checkup every year?
For private small vessels used for personal use, the annual technical inspection is canceled, however, the inspector may initiate an unscheduled inspection if he has doubts about the safety of the vessel or documents.
Where exactly do I need to put the side numbers?
The shipboard numbers shall be marked on the sides of the vessel in the middle of the length of the side and 1/4 of the height of the sideboard from the upper edge of the rod. the height of letters and numbers shall be not less than 150 mm, width - 100 mm, thickness of lines - 15-20 mm. the color shall contrast with the color of the board.