FL · State boating guide
Florida
boating laws
Last verified
At a glance
- Boater card
- Required for specified operators
- operators born on or after January 1, 1988, running a boat powered by 10 horsepower or more
- Operating age
- No minimum age to operate a boat; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and renters at least 18.
- Life-jacket age rule
- Children under 6 must wear a Type I, II or III life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway.
- BUI / BAC limit
- 0.08 BAC (0.02 for operators under 21)
- Registration fee
- $5.50–$189.75
- Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
- Registration term
- 1 year
The short answer
Do I need a boating license in Florida?
Boating Safety Education Identification Card is required for operators born on or after January 1, 1988, running a boat powered by 10 horsepower or more.
Confirm with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ↗Florida requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 to pass an approved boater safety course and carry an FWC Boating Safety Education ID card plus photo ID to run a boat with 10 horsepower or more. There is no minimum age to operate a boat, but you must be 14 to operate a personal watercraft and 18 to rent one. Most boats must be registered through the county tax collector and renewed every year. A boater is presumed impaired at 0.08 BAC, or 0.02 for anyone under 21.
Before you operate
Boater education & operating age
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education required | Yes — see who needs a card below |
| Who needs a card | operators born on or after January 1, 1988, running a boat powered by 10 horsepower or more |
| Card or certificate | Boating Safety Education Identification Card |
| Minimum operating age | No minimum age to operate a boat; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and renters at least 18. |
| Out-of-state cards | Non-residents are exempt if they carry proof of a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency exam from another state. |
Your boat’s paperwork
Boat registration & fees
All boats except non-motorized boats under 16 feet and non-motorized canoes, kayaks, racing shells or rowing sculls of any length. Register through the county tax collector within 30 days of purchase; the decal is renewed annually. Fees shown exclude a $2.25 service fee, a $0.50 FRVIS fee and any county fees.
- Class A-1 (less than 12 feet)$5.50
- Class A-2 (12 to less than 16 feet)$16.25
- Class 1 (16 to less than 26 feet)$28.75
- Class 2 (26 to less than 40 feet)$78.25
- Class 3 (40 to less than 65 feet)$127.75
- Class 4 (65 to less than 110 feet)$152.75
- Class 5 (110 feet or more)$189.75
Registration fee data and sources
| Boat / fee category | Fee | Term | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A-1 (less than 12 feet) | $5.50 | 1 year | Official source: Class A-1 (less than 12 feet) ↗ |
| Class A-2 (12 to less than 16 feet) | $16.25 | 1 year | Official source: Class A-2 (12 to less than 16 feet) ↗ |
| Class 1 (16 to less than 26 feet) | $28.75 | 1 year | Official source: Class 1 (16 to less than 26 feet) ↗ |
| Class 2 (26 to less than 40 feet) | $78.25 | 1 year | Official source: Class 2 (26 to less than 40 feet) ↗ |
| Class 3 (40 to less than 65 feet) | $127.75 | 1 year | Official source: Class 3 (40 to less than 65 feet) ↗ |
| Class 4 (65 to less than 110 feet) | $152.75 | 1 year | Official source: Class 4 (65 to less than 110 feet) ↗ |
| Class 5 (110 feet or more) | $189.75 | 1 year | Official source: Class 5 (110 feet or more) ↗ |
Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) rules
- You must be at least 14 to operate a personal watercraft and at least 18 to rent one.
- Everyone operating, riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a non-inflatable USCG-approved life jacket.
- Attach the engine cut-off lanyard (if equipped) to your body, clothing or life jacket.
- No PWC operation from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, even with navigation lights.
- Weaving through congested traffic, jumping another boat's wake unreasonably close, or last-second swerving counts as reckless operation.
Towing & watersports
- When towing a skier or tuber, carry an observer in addition to the operator, or use a wide-angle rear-view mirror.
- No skiing or aquaplaning from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise.
- Anyone being towed must wear a non-inflatable USCG-approved life jacket.
- Do not pull a skier close enough to a fixed object or another boat to risk a collision.
Life jacket rules
- Carry one wearable USCG-approved life jacket of the right size for each person on board, in serviceable condition and easy to reach.
- Boats 16 feet or longer must also carry a throwable Type IV device.
- Children under 6 must wear a Type I, II or III life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway.
Boating under the influence
Published limit: 0.08 BAC (0.02 for operators under 21). Read the linked official guidance for the full rule and any age-specific provisions.
At a glance
- Boater education applies to anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, on boats with 10 hp or more.
- No minimum age to drive a boat, but PWC operators must be 14.
- Registration is renewed every year through the county tax collector.
- Kids under 6 must wear a life jacket underway on boats under 26 feet.
Plan your day
Before you launch
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Sources and last checked
Sources
Official guidance is the final reference. Rules and fees may change after this guide’s verification date.
- Boating Regulations ↗Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Boating Safety Education ↗Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Boater Safety Courses ↗Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Fees (Vessel Registration Fees) ↗Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Vessels ↗Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
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