All boats kept, used or let for hire on the River Thames must be registered in line with the Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010.
If you have a boat and you keep it afloat or use it on the River Thames, you need to register it.
This requirement extends to every part of the non-tidal River Thames between Cricklade Bridge and Teddington Lock, and the short section of the tidal River Thames between Teddington Lock and the Port of London Authoritys boundary, including backwaters and marinas.
It also applies to the River Kennet between the River Thames and the Canal and River Trusts boundary downstream of the High Bridge in Reading and to every part of the Jubilee River flood alleviation scheme.
Only unpowered open boats can use the Jubilee River flood alleviation scheme; powered boats are not permitted. It is not possible to navigate into the channel directly from the Thames. There are portage points to gain access and to pass the weirs. Please be mindful that the levels in the Jubilee River respond to high flows in the Thames and can change without warning.
Updates to this page
Published 28 November 2014 Last updated 3 December 2024 +show all updates
River Thames boat registration and other charges: 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 added.
River Thames boat registration and other charges: 1 January to 31 December 2024 added.
Corrections made to unpowered tendered charge and minimum charge for powered boats and unpowered enclosed boats.
Added the 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 charges.
A few amends to clarify charges and improve consistency with the Anglian and Medway charges documents.
A few amends to clarify charges and improve consistency with the Anglian and Medway charges documents.
Boat registration charges for 2022
Boat registration charges: 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 added
Clarified where the requirement for registration applies.
New boat registration charges for 2020 added.
New boat registration charges for 2019 added.
River Thames boat registration charges, 2018 version added.
Boat registration charges for 2016/17 have been added.
Document River Thames boat registration charges 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 removed as it is out of date.
We have added the boat registration charges for 2016.
