- Federal
- U.S. Coast Guard Policy Letter 01-22
- California
- DMV registration and CF numbers
- Florida
- State title and registration
- Hawaii
- Registration at 5 hp or more
- Oregon
- State title and registration
Federal: U.S. Coast Guard
Policy Letter 01-22, dated August 26, 2022, says mechanically propelled personal hydrofoils and motorized surfboards are vessels. They fall under the laws for recreational vessels propelled by machinery (U.S. Coast Guard Policy Letter 01-22). The letter lists these points.
- A Hull Identification Number is required. It must be validated before a Certificate of Number is issued.
- The state where the craft is mainly used issues the number. The number is shown on the forward half of the deck.
- A PFD must be worn or carried as state and federal rules require. A fire extinguisher is not required when everyone aboard wears an approved PFD.
- A sound-producing device such as a whistle must be carried. The Inland Navigation Rules apply, including lights at night and in poor visibility.
- Operators must use the engine cut-off switch if the craft has one.
The letter says it does not impose legally binding requirements and describes the Coast Guard's current thinking.
State rules
California
DMV notice VIN 2023-12, issued December 20, 2023, classes motorized eFoils and jet boards as vessels. The DMV must register them and assign CF numbers before they are operated on California waterways (California DMV notice VIN 2023-12).
Florida
Technical Advisory RSTL22-028, dated September 13, 2022, says these craft must be titled and registered with the state. The owner needs a HIN and a Manufacturer's Statement or Certificate of Origin (Florida HSMV advisory RSTL22-028).
Hawaii
DOBOR says a motorized vessel must be registered if its power rating is 5 hp (about 3.73 kW) or more. Within 200 feet of any shoreline, surfer or swimmer, an eFoil may not go faster than slow-no-wake. The page says that generally means under five miles per hour. Boating safety education is required at 10 hp (about 7.46 kW) or more. Area limits are set in the DOBOR administrative rules. The page was last updated March 12, 2025 (Hawaii DOBOR eFoil page).
Oregon
The State Marine Board says all watercraft powered by a motor must be titled and registered, whether the motor is gasoline, diesel or electric. Speed limits, slow-no-wake zones and other area rules vary. The Board refers riders to its Boat Oregon Map (Oregon State Marine Board foils page).
Other states
Other states are Not listed. The state boating agency is the authority in each state, and local lake and harbor rules can add more.