Assigned number format
Louisiana assigns numbers in the pattern LA 4002 CS, using the LA prefix. Border, outline and shadow do not count toward the height or contrast requirement.
State Requirement Summary
Louisiana Boat Registration Number Requirements
Boats registered in Louisiana display an LA-prefixed number such as LA 4002 CS. Louisiana calls for characters 3 inches high in plain vertical block design, reading left to right, contrasting color, positioned each side of the forward half. Our lettering is designed to meet the displayed Louisiana size and formatting requirements. The state itself issues the validation/expiration decal — we supply the registration-number lettering.
Boat number requirements
Last regulatory review: August 22, 2026
Assigned number example
LA 4002 CS
- Minimum character height
- 3 inches
- Lettering style
- Plain vertical block design
- Contrast
- Contrasting color
- Spacing / separator
- Hyphen or space equal to ordinary character width
- Reading direction
- Left to right
- Number location
- Each side of the forward half
- Validation decal
- Within 6 inches of the registration number; may be BEFORE OR AFTER the number
- State agency
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
What we sell vs. what the state issues: RegistrationDecals.com supplies the registration-number lettering, designed to meet the displayed Louisiana size and formatting requirements. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issues the official validation/expiration decal — and any separate stickers such as aquatic-invasive-species, mussel-awareness, carbon-monoxide or lake-protection stickers, which are not interchangeable with each other.
Design your LA numbers
Starts with the Louisiana format (LA 4002 CS). Tap the decal and type your own assigned number exactly as it appears on your certificate of number.
Tap the decal to edit
Decal color
We supply the registration-number lettering, sized to the displayed Louisiana requirements. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issues the validation decal.
Louisiana placement diagram
Both sides of the hull carry the number. The grey square marks where the state-issued validation decal goes — within 6 inches of the registration number; may be before or after the number.
- Height: 3 inches, plain vertical block design
- Spacing: Hyphen or space equal to ordinary character width
- Location: Each side of the forward half
- Validation decal: Within 6 inches of the registration number; may be BEFORE OR AFTER the number
Diagram is illustrative. Confirm exact positioning against the instructions issued with your Louisiana registration.
Official source
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries — Primary state agency source. Last verified August 22, 2026 (source check 2026-08-22).
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries — Boat registrationRegistration requirements can change. RegistrationDecals.com summarizes publicly available boating-registration requirements to help boat owners select and display registration numbers. Always compare your registration and decals with the current instructions issued by your state boating or registration agency before applying them to your vessel.
Louisiana rules in detail
Minimum character height
Louisiana specifies characters 3 inches high. Measure the character body itself — if the state excludes borders, outlines or shading, decorative trim does not count toward the minimum.
Required lettering style
Plain vertical block design, reading left to right. Script, italic and decorative treatments are not what this style describes.
Contrast requirement
Contrasting color. In practice that means dark characters on a light hull and light characters on a dark hull, checked in daylight from the side of the vessel.
Spacing and separator
Hyphen or space equal to ordinary character width. Example: LA 4002 CS. Running the groups together with no separation does not match the stated format.
Placement on the hull
Each side of the forward half. Clearly visible and legible.
Validation decal placement
Within 6 inches of the registration number; may be BEFORE OR AFTER the number. The validation or expiration decal is issued by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries — RegistrationDecals.com supplies the registration-number lettering only.
Common mistakes
- Ordering the number without the LA prefix or the suffix letters.
- Characters shorter than the stated minimum (3 inches) so they fit inside a narrow accent stripe.
- Using a script, italic or shadowed style instead of plain vertical block design.
- Losing the required separation between the groups — hyphen or space equal to ordinary character width.
- Placing the state validation decal somewhere other than the position Louisiana describes: within 6 inches of the registration number; may be BEFORE OR AFTER the number.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Louisiana boat registration number look like?
Louisiana numbers follow the pattern LA 4002 CS, using the LA prefix, a numeral group, and suffix letters.
How tall do Louisiana boat registration numbers have to be?
3 inches, measured on the character itself, in plain vertical block design.
What lettering style does Louisiana require?
Plain vertical block design, reading left to right, and contrasting color.
How much space goes between the letters and numbers in Louisiana?
Hyphen or space equal to ordinary character width. Example: LA 4002 CS.
Where do the numbers go on the boat in Louisiana?
Each side of the forward half. Clearly visible and legible.
Where does the Louisiana validation decal go?
Within 6 inches of the registration number; may be BEFORE OR AFTER the number. The decal itself is issued by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; we supply the registration-number lettering.
Who regulates boat registration numbers in Louisiana?
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Confirm the current instructions issued with your registration before applying anything to your hull. Last regulatory review: August 22, 2026.
Can I order Louisiana boat registration numbers online?
Yes. Enter your assigned LA number in the designer on this page, pick a color that contrasts with your hull, and we cut a matched port-and-starboard pair and ship it to the 48 contiguous states.
Do I need two sets of Louisiana registration numbers?
You need the number displayed on both sides of the vessel — each side of the forward half — so every order ships as a matched port-and-starboard pair.
Related guides
Ready to design your LA numbers?
Our designer starts with plain block characters and proper group spacing, so you can see exactly how LA 4002 CS will read on your hull before you order.
Source: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries · Primary state agency source · Primary · Source last checked 2026-08-22.
Registration requirements can change. RegistrationDecals.com summarizes publicly available boating-registration requirements to help boat owners select and display registration numbers. Always compare your registration and decals with the current instructions issued by your state boating or registration agency before applying them to your vessel.