What states require boating license?
- You operate a personal watercraft, regardless of your age, in New York State.
- You wish to operate a motorboat (including personal watercraft) and you are at least 10 years old and less than 18 years old.
- If you are less 10 years old you may operate a motorboat (non-PWC) only if someone over 18 or someone between the ages of 10 and 18 who holds a ...
What size boat do you need a license for?
To legally operate any boat with an engine or motor, other than a personal watercraft, or a sailboat 19 1/2 feet in length or longer, the following persons must obtain a 'Safe Boating Certificate' or a 'Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation'.
Does my state require a boating license?
While the state’s mandatory boating license age does not currently include all applicants, boaters must be at least 16 years old to apply. The requirements are different from neighboring states. Therefore, you are required to apply for a license if you operate a vessel on state waterways.
Can I rent a boat without license?
The short answer to this question is, No, you don’t need a licence to rent a boat. As long as you’re not the one doing the actual sailing, that is. Now, here’s the long version: At Zizoo, we offer holiday-goers two types of bookings: bareboat charters or captain-guided charters.
When do you have to get a boating license in Arkansas?
Arkansas. In Arkansas, it is required that anyone who is born on or after January 1, 1986 , must take the boating course and get a boating license before boating on their state waters. Arkansas wants to make it as easy and safe as possible on their waters.
What age do you have to be to get a boating license in New Mexico?
As for specific age requirements and restrictions, there isn’t much. In order to take a boating course, there is no minimum age required.
How old do you have to be to drive a boat in Iowa?
Date of Birth Limitation. N/A. In Iowa, it is required that all 12-year-olds through 17 years olds who operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower or operate a PWC have some boat safety education. According to DMV, Iowa requires to attend and complete a boating safety course and then receive the certificate of completion.
What is the boating safety course in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, any person operating a motorboat, or any power-driven vessel with a motor that is more than 10 horsepower must take a NASBLA- approved boating safety course. When operating these boats the license and certificate of completion are required to be with the boater on the boat they’re operating at all times.
What is a NASBLA license?
NASBLA is the board and community of all 50 states boating authorities.
How old do you have to be to get a boating license in Delaware?
The minimum age requirement for boat operators is that they must be at least 14 years of age.
How old do you have to be to be a boater in Vermont?
No one under 10 may take the course to operate and receive a certificate of completion. Boat operators between the ages of 10 and 12 must take a classroom course of the needed boating safety information.
What state requires boating license?
California. The state requirement for boating education and license in California is quite different from the other states. It gives one chance to all boaters. But if a boater makes a mistake while boating, they need to take a boating course.
How old do you have to be to drive a boat?
In that case, you can operate a boat with a licensed driver over the age of 21.
How old do you have to be to get a boating license in Delaware?
All boaters are required to take a boating course approved by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. A boater must be at least 14 years old and until the age of 16, they must be accompanied with a licensed adult.
How old do you have to be to operate a boat in Colorado?
Any person who is operating a mechanical boat in Colorado must be at least 16 years old. Teenagers above the age of 14 and under 16 can operate a boat only if they complete a state approved safety course. However, after the age of 16, any one operating a boat does not need a license or boating education.
How much does a boating license cost in 2025?
The card is very similar to a license and is awarded to those who pass the state approved boating safety examination. The fee is $10 and the card lasts for lifetime.
What is the minimum age to get a boat license in Indiana?
Indiana. In Indiana, the state requires all boaters to possess a valid driver’s license. The minimum age of boater is years. Since they do not have a license, they can operate a boat only if they have taken and cleared the boating education course offered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDR).
How old do you have to be to own a boat in Louisiana?
Louisiana. To operate a boat in Louisiana, you need to attend a boating safety course only if you are under the age of 16. So while there is no minimum age, all boaters born after January 1 st 1984 must complete a boating safety course. The state does not require a boating license.
How old do you have to be to take the boating course?
This will be required in a classroom setting. You must be 16 or older to take the online course. Boaters under the age of 16 are required to have a boater’s education card and produce it upon request. Boaters who are age 16 or older are not required to have a boater’s education.
How old do you have to be to be a boater?
If you fall between the ages of 10 and 12, you are required to have supervision by a parent or guardian or a person that is 18 years or older designated by a parent or guardian. 12 to 18-year-olds must complete a boating safety course and possess a Boating Safety Certificate.
How old do you have to be to be a boater in Colorado?
In Colorado, whether or not you need a boater’s education is age-dependent. Anyone under the age of 14 cannot operate a motorized vessel on Colorado’s public waters. Anyone who falls under the age of 14 or 15 may complete a motorized boater course to operate a motorized vessel in Colorado legally.
What is the boater education card in Florida?
You must carry a Florida Fish, Wildlife Conservation Commission issued Boating Safety Education Card and photo identification while operating a Florida Waterways motorized vessel.
What do you need to know to operate a motorboat in Alabama?
Alabama. In Alabama, all operators must pass a state proficiency exam or boater safety course that has been approved by the Alabama Marine Patrol Division if they intend to operate a motorboat. All boaters must carry their license as proof of their boating education.
How old do you have to be to drive a boat in California?
California requires a person to be 16 years old and have a California Boater Card to operate a vessel with 15hp, including personal watercraft. For 12 to 15-year-olds, you must be supervised by a person 18 years old who has their boater card to operate a boat with more than 15hp.
How old do you have to be to be a boater in Mississippi?
You need a boater’s education in Mississippi if you were born after June 30, 1980, and will be operating a boat or personalized watercraft in Mississippi. Anyone under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a 21 or older person to operate a vessel, even with a boater’s education.
How old do you have to be to get a boating license in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts. License name: Massachusetts Boating Safety Certificate. If you're between 12 and 15 years old, you must complete a boating safety course to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. If you're 16-17 years old and want to operate a personal watercraft, you also need a license.
How old do you have to be to get a boat license in Alabama?
All persons who operate a motorized boat on Alabama waters need to obtain an Alabama Vessel License. You must be at least 12 years old to get your license. You can get your license by doing an online course and taking the exam online. You'll have to visit a DPS Driver's License Office to pick up your license.
How old do you have to be to sail a boat in Oklahoma?
All boaters between 12 and 15 years of age must have an Oklahoma Boater Education Card to operate any motorized watercraft over 10 HP or sailboat 16 feet or longer.
How to get a boater license in Washington State?
You can get your license by doing an online course and taking the exam online. After passing the exam, you have to apply at Washington State Parks. You'll get your official card in the mail within 6 weeks.
How do I get a PWC license?
You can get your license by doing an online course and taking the exam online. After passing the exam, you can immediately print out your license yourself. I recommend to get your license here.
How to get a boating license in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, you'll need a boating license if you operate a motorboat over 25 horsepower. If your boat has less, I still recommend getting your safety license. You can get your license by doing an online course and taking the exam online.
How to get a boater license in Nebraska?
You can get your license by doing an online course and taking the exam online.
How old do you have to be to be a boater in Florida?
For example, in Texas, you must be at least 13 years old and successfully pass a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department-approved boater education course (like Boat Ed or ilearntoboat ). In Florida, same deal, except you must be at least 14 years old.
Do you need a boater education card to cruise?
Trust me, you don’t want to be caught cruising without your card!
Do I Really Need a Boating License? A Few Things to Consider
Whether you need a boating license depends on the boating regulations set by the state where you reside. This article dives into all the important things you need to know regarding a boating license. It also discusses the standard requirements to apply for one depending on where you live.
What is a Boating License?
Every state in the country decides the specific requirements for operating a sailboat, powerboat, or PWC (personal watercraft) on the water bodies under its area of jurisdiction. The majority of the states need some kind of boating education and safety certificate. Such a certificate or document is what you call a boating license.
How do you get a Boating License?
To acquire an official boating license, just follow these straightforward steps:
Age Variations
Different states have different age requirements that boat license holders have to meet. For example, Alabama has set a requirement that all boat operators residing in the state aged 12 and above have to clear an official boating license exam. The exception is for those born before April 28, 1954.
Boat Licenses and Laws by State
Suppose you happen to be a first-time owner of a boat, or you have purchased a new boat. In that case, your dealer might be able to provide you important details regarding how you can obtain an official boating license in your particular state.
How much does a Boating License Cost?
This is a common question most folks ask. The BoatUS Foundation provides boating license courses free of cost for thirty-five of the states in the country. Other license providers offer the exam and boating course for a fee that ranges between $29 and $50.
How old do you have to be to be a boater?
Requires all boat operators born after January 1st, 1989 or under 21 years of age (regardless of birth date) to complete a boater education course and carry a certificate proving completion.
What age do you need to be to get a boater license in Kentucky?
Requires all boat operators aged 12 to 17 to complete a boater education course and carry a Kentucky Boating Education blue card.
Which state requires a boater to have a boat license?
States with mandatory boating law require safety certification for some or all boaters. Only one state (Alabama) requires an actual boat license.
What does a boating safety course give you?
Passing a boating safety course will give you a discount on boat insurance and will increase your water safety skills. Boat safety courses are an excellent investment of time and money, regardless of your state's boating law. Each state has unique boating education requirements, and the boating rules, laws and regulations vary from state ...
Does Alabama require a boating license?
States with mandatory boating law require safety certification for some or all boaters. Only one state (Alabama) requires an actual boat license. However, many prospective students are not aware of state legal terminology, and search for information about a boat license or licence, or a captain or captains license.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
- In Arkansas, it is required that anyone who is born on or after January 1, 1986, must take the boating course and get a boating license before boating on their state waters. Arkansas wants to make it as easy and safe as possible on their waters. While they do require everybody of the legal boating age born in 1986 or later to be licensed, they now offer a convenient online boating cour…
California
- California is a unique place to go boating. The way their regulations work is that they give everybody one chance. The only people that have to take a boating course is any boater who is convicted of a moving violation while boating. In the result of their blunder, they must take the boating safety course and successfully complete it before they can continue boating. While gen…
Colorado
- In Colorado, any person who is operating a motorboat, or any vessel that is propelled through the water by machinery must be 16 years or older. People who are 14 or 15 though can operate a motorboat if they complete a state-approved boating safety course. But, after the age of 16, there is no boater education or license required.
Connecticut
- In Connecticut, a boating safety course and a license are only required of those who own boats or vessels and/or anyone who is wishing or planning to boat more than 60 days out of the year. This means that renters and tourists who want a quick boating vacation out on the water do not have to get their license.
Delaware
- Delaware requires anyone who was born on or after January 1, 1978, to take a boating course and receive a boating license. The boating course must be approved by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. The minimum age requirement for boat operators is that they must be at least 14 years of age. Until 16 years old, a teenager must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
Florida
- Any person born on or after January 1, 1988, must take the boating course and receive the license to operate a boat in Florida waters. Is required that the boating course is not only state-approved but it must be approved by the NASBLA. Either they take a NASBLA-approved course or they pass an approved equivalency exam to operate a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or greater motor …
Georgia
- In Georgia boaters between the ages of 12 to 15 need a license to operate certain vehicles on their own. Under the age of 12, boaters are not allowed to operate a PWC or vessel that is longer than 16 feet. They may, however, operate a boat less than 16 feet in length, is powered by a motor less than 30 horsepower and only if they are accompanied by a competent adult in the boat. Boa…
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
- The state rules are different for tourists and professionals. The state requires both boating education and a license if you are planning to continue boating for more than 60 days a year. This means that if you are a tourist in the state, you don’t need a license. But once you get a license in Connecticut, this will be valid in all other states.
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
- In Connecticut, you are required to carry a Boating Certificate for any boat with an engine, or a sailboat 19.5' or longer. The certificate is called Safe Boating Certificate or Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation. You can get your license by doing an online course and taking the exam online. I recommend getting your license here.
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida