Guide
Boating Laws by State: Quick Facts for All 50 States
Published
Boating laws by state are set state by state, and core rules cover education, operating ages, registration, life jackets, jet skis and alcohol limits. Alabama requires certification unless you were born before April 28, 1954; Florida requires kids under 6 to wear a life jacket underway on boats under 26 feet; Texas registration lasts two years.
Before you launch, check the rules for the state where you will operate. A boater card, registration, or accepted out-of-state credential can affect whether you may use the boat there.
Key Takeaways
- State rules set different education and age requirements for boat operators.
- Registration, life jacket, and personal watercraft rules differ by state.
- Check the destination state's rules before boating across state lines.
The Short Answer
Boating requirements vary by state, and they can depend on your birth date, the boat's power, the vessel type, and where you operate. For example, Arkansas requires boater education for anyone born on or after January 1, 1986, while Nevada requires it for certain boats over 15 hp on interstate waters.
Check the rules for the state where you will boat, including whether it accepts your boater card and registration. Use the state links in the comparison table to find the relevant state page.
Boater Education and Licenses
Boater education rules depend on the state, your birth date, and the boat's power. Georgia requires education if you were born after January 1, 1998, to run a motorized boat; Oregon requires every operator of a motorboat over 10 hp to carry a card, at any age.
Check whether your credential expires: the Washington Boater Education Card costs $10 and is good for life. See Do You Need a License to Drive a Boat and Do Boating Licenses Expire.
How Old You Must Be
Minimum operator ages differ by state and vessel type. Illinois bars anyone under 10 from driving any motorized boat, while Missouri requires operators to be 14, or supervised on board by someone 16 or older.
For personal watercraft age rules, check the state requirement for the specific craft. See How Old Do You Have to Be to Drive a Boat.
Registering Your Boat
Registration terms, covered vessels, and fees vary by state. Arizona registration is annual and starts at $20 for residents; Arkansas registration lasts three years and starts at $7.50 for boats under 16 feet.
Check whether your boat, kayak, or canoe needs registration, then confirm the renewal date and fee with the state. Find steps at How to Register a Boat, costs at How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat, renewal details at Boat Registration Renewal, and kayak rules at Do You Need to Register a Kayak.
Life Jackets
Life jacket requirements can depend on a passenger's age, boat size, and season. New York requires life jackets to be worn on boats under 21 feet from November 1 to May 1; Wyoming requires kids 12 and under to wear life jackets while underway.
Check the rule for your boat and each passenger before leaving shore. See Life Jacket Laws by State.
Jet Ski Rules
Jet ski rules can set separate age, education, and operating-hour requirements. Maine requires you to be 16 to drive a jet ski; North Carolina prohibits PWC riding between sunset and sunrise.
Review the rules for operating and renting a PWC, including whether you need a card. See Do You Need a License to Rent a Boat, Do You Need a License to Drive a Jet Ski, What Age Can You Drive a Jet Ski, and Jet Ski Laws by State.
Alcohol Limits
Alcohol limits and boating-under-the-influence rules vary by state. Utah's legal limit for boat operators is 0.05 BAC; North Dakota's boating alcohol limit is 0.10, not 0.08.
Check the state's rule before operating a boat after drinking. See Can You Drink on a Boat.
Boating in Another State
Your home-state boater card may be accepted elsewhere, but rules for visiting boats differ by state. Connecticut accepts boating cards from MA, NH, NY and RI; Oregon requires visitors to have a NASBLA-approved card and has no 60-day grace period.
Check destination requirements for credentials and registration before launching. See Boating License Reciprocity.
Compare Rules Across States
The table compares key boating rules and fees for each state. Use the state link to check the full requirements for your boat and trip.
Registration periods at a glance
- 1 One year (16 states)
- 2 Two years (up to two where stated) (7 states)
- 3 Three years (19 states)
- 1/3 One or three years (3 states)
- P Permanent (1 states)
- ? Check the state page (4 states)
Tile numbers are years; P means permanent. Periods come from the key-facts table below; grey means a period is not stated there. Check the full state rules for term options, fees, expiration dates and vessel exceptions.
Read every state and its rule
| State | Category | Rule or term |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | One year | Boat registration renews every year and starts at $20 for boats under 16 feet. |
| Alaska | Three years | Motorized boats, including electric-motor boats, register with the DMV: $24 for three years. |
| Arizona | One year | Registration is annual and starts at $20 for residents. |
| Arkansas | Three years | Registration lasts three years and starts at $7.50 for boats under 16 feet. |
| California | Two years (up to two where stated) | Registration renews every two years, in odd-numbered years. |
| Colorado | One year | Registration is annual and runs January 1 to December 31. |
| Connecticut | One year | Registration runs to April 30 each year and starts at $7.50 for boats under 12 feet. |
| Delaware | One or three years | Registration starts at $20 a year, or $60 for three years, for boats under 16 feet. |
| Florida | One year | Registration is renewed every year through the county tax collector. |
| Georgia | Three years | Registration lasts three years and starts at $35 for boats under 16 feet. |
| Hawaii | One year | Registration renews yearly: $20 under 20 feet, $35 for 20 feet and longer. |
| Idaho | One year | Registration starts at $20 a year and runs through December 31. |
| Illinois | Three years | Registration lasts three years and all certificates expire September 30. Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards without motors do not need Illinois registration numbers. |
| Indiana | One year | Registration and boat excise tax are renewed every year through the BMV. |
| Iowa | Three years | Registration lasts three years; renewal is $28.15 for a motorboat under 16 feet. |
| Kansas | Three years | Registration is a flat $42.50 for three years. |
| Kentucky | One year | Registration is annual and expires April 30. |
| Louisiana | Three years | Registration lasts three years and starts at $36 for boats under 16 feet. |
| Maine | One year | Registration runs by calendar year and expires December 31. |
| Maryland | Two years (up to two where stated) | Registration is $70 for two years for every motorized boat. |
| Massachusetts | Two years (up to two where stated) | Registration lasts two years and starts at $44 for boats under 16 feet. |
| Michigan | Three years | Registration lasts three years and expires March 31. |
| Minnesota | Three years | Registrations last three years and cover canoes and kayaks over 10 feet. |
| Mississippi | Three years | Registration lasts three years and starts at $10.99 for boats under 16 feet. |
| Missouri | Three years | Registration lasts three years and starts at $25 (plus $9 processing) for boats under 16 feet. |
| Montana | Permanent | Boat registration is permanent, paid once to the county treasurer. |
| Nebraska | Three years | Registration runs three years, from $44 plus a $4 issuing fee. |
| Nevada | One year | Registration is annual, from $20 to $100 by length. |
| New Hampshire | One year | Registration renews every year and expires December 31. |
| New Jersey | One year | Registration runs $12 to $250 a year by length. |
| New Mexico | Three years | Registration lasts three years and costs $60 to $180 by length. |
| New York | Three years | Registration lasts three years and starts at $22.50 for boats under 16 feet. |
| North Carolina | One or three years | Registration runs one or three years: $30 or $90 for boats under 26 feet. |
| North Dakota | Three years | Registration runs on a 3-year cycle, 2026 through 2028. |
| Ohio | Three years | Canoes and kayaks need registration in Ohio; paddleboards do not. Registration lasts three years and starts at $12. |
| Oklahoma | Check the state page | Registration is value-based and never more than $151 a year. Registrations expire at the end of June; renew by July 1. |
| Oregon | Two years (up to two where stated) | Registration is two years, at $5.95 per foot plus $8. |
| Pennsylvania | Two years (up to two where stated) | Registration lasts up to two years and starts at $26 for motorboats under 16 feet. |
| Rhode Island | Two years (up to two where stated) | Registration is every two years, from $32. |
| South Carolina | One year | Registration renews every year for $10, billed with county property taxes. |
| South Dakota | One year | Registration is yearly through your county treasurer, $18 to $55. |
| Tennessee | Check the state page | Check the state page |
| Texas | Two years (up to two where stated) | Registration lasts two years and starts at $32 for boats under 16 feet. |
| Utah | Check the state page | Check the state page |
| Vermont | Check the state page | Registration starts at $31 a year for boats under 16 feet. |
| Virginia | Three years | Registration lasts three years and starts at $37 for boats under 16 feet. |
| Washington | One year | Boat registration renews every year and expires June 30. |
| West Virginia | Three years | Registration lasts three years and costs $30 to $75 by length. |
| Wisconsin | Three years | Registration lasts three years and starts at $22 for motorboats under 16 feet. |
| Wyoming | One or three years | Motorboat registration is $30 a year or $80 for three years. |
| State | Key boating facts |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Every motorized vessel operator needs a boater certification unless born before April 28, 1954. No one under 12 may operate a motorized boat or PWC. The vessel license costs a one-time $5 application fee plus a $36.25 issuance fee. Boat registration renews every year and starts at $20 for boats under 16 feet. |
| Alaska | No boating license or mandatory education. Motorized boats, including electric-motor boats, register with the DMV: $24 for three years. Kids under 13 must wear a life jacket in open boats, on deck and when towed. Out-of-state boats may run 90 consecutive days without Alaska registration. Alaska's DUI law covers watercraft at 0.08 BAC. |
| Arizona | No boater education card is required. Kids under 12 need a parent, guardian or adult 18+ aboard to drive anything over 8 hp. Registration is annual and starts at $20 for residents. Nonresidents pay an extra Non-Resident Boating Infrastructure Fee on top of registration. Boats with electric trolling motors must be registered. |
| Arkansas | Boater education applies to anyone born on or after January 1, 1986. Even a boat with only a trolling motor must be registered. Registration lasts three years and starts at $7.50 for boats under 16 feet. PWC and boats over 50 hp need $50,000 liability insurance. Kids 12 and under wear a life jacket on any boat. |
| California | Every motorboat operator needs a California Boater Card as of 2025. The card is a one-time $10 fee and lasts for life. Registration renews every two years, in odd-numbered years. Kids under 13 must wear a life jacket on a moving boat. |
| Colorado | You must be 18 to operate a motorboat or PWC, or 14 to 17 with a safety course. Registration is annual and runs January 1 to December 31. Motorized and sail boats need an ANS stamp on top of registration: $25 resident, $50 nonresident. PWC may not run from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise. A first BUI conviction brings a mandatory three-month boating ban. |
| Connecticut | Any motorboat, even with a small motor, needs a certificate holder at the helm. Water skiing requires a separate Safe Water Skiing Endorsement. Registration runs to April 30 each year and starts at $7.50 for boats under 12 feet. Canoes and kayaks: life jackets on from October 1 to May 31. Boating cards from MA, NH, NY and RI are accepted. |
| Delaware | Boater education applies to anyone born on or after January 1, 1978. Out-of-state NASBLA-approved boating cards are accepted. Electric-powered boats must be registered too. Registration starts at $20 a year, or $60 for three years, for boats under 16 feet. Unregistered boats using state tidal ramps need a $35 boat ramp certificate. |
| Florida | 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. |
| Georgia | Born after January 1, 1998? You need boater education to run a motorized boat. Registration lasts three years and starts at $35 for boats under 16 feet. Kids under 13 must wear a life jacket on any moving boat. PWCs must stay at idle speed within 100 feet of docks, shore and people. |
| Hawaii | A boating safety certificate is required for power-driven vessels over 10 hp. Under 16 needs a certified supervisor 21 or older aboard. Minimum age for a thrill craft (PWC) is 15. Registration renews yearly: $20 under 20 feet, $35 for 20 feet and longer. Kids under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway. |
| Idaho | No statewide boating license or minimum operator age. PWC renters must get rental-company boater education and carry a wallet card. Registration starts at $20 a year and runs through December 31. Out-of-state motorized boats need a $30 invasive species sticker. Kids 14 and under must wear a life jacket on boats 19 feet or shorter. |
| Illinois | Born on or after January 1, 1998? You need a boating safety certificate for anything over 10 hp. No one under 10 may drive any motorized boat. Registration lasts three years and all certificates expire September 30. Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards without motors do not need Illinois registration numbers. Illinois accepts boating safety certificates from other states. |
| Indiana | A valid driver's license is required to operate a motorboat. 15-year-olds without a license need a boater education course and a BMV ID card. No one under 15 may drive a PWC or a motorboat over 10 hp. Registration and boat excise tax are renewed every year through the BMV. Night speed limit is 10 mph between sunset and sunrise. |
| Iowa | Adults need no boating course. Teens 12 to 17 need a course to run over 10 hp alone. Canoes and kayaks over 13 feet must be registered. Registration lasts three years; renewal is $28.15 for a motorboat under 16 feet. No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise. |
| Kansas | Boater education applies to operators aged 12 through 20. Under 12 may never run a motorized boat without close adult supervision. Registration is a flat $42.50 for three years. Kansas does not title boats. Out-of-state NASBLA-approved boating cards are accepted. |
| Kentucky | Boater education applies to operators 12 through 17. Kids under 12 cannot run a motorboat or PWC of 10 hp or more. Registration is annual and expires April 30. PWC are daylight-only, sunrise to sunset. Kids under 12 must wear a life jacket while underway in the open part of a boat. |
| Louisiana | Born after January 1, 1984? You need boater education for motors over 10 hp. PWC operators must be at least 16. Registration lasts three years and starts at $36 for boats under 16 feet. Kids 16 and under wear life jackets on boats under 26 feet. |
| Maine | Boater education applies to anyone born on or after January 1, 1999. You must be 16 to drive a jet ski. Registration runs by calendar year and expires December 31. Inland-water fees include the $25 invasive-species charge. Kids 12 and under must wear a life jacket. Any alcohol is illegal for boat operators under 21. |
| Maryland | A boating certificate is needed if you were born on or after July 1, 1972. The Maryland certificate never expires. Registration is $70 for two years for every motorized boat. You must be 16 to operate a PWC. Kids under 13 wear a life jacket underway on boats under 21 feet. |
| Massachusetts | Boater safety certificates are required from April 1, 2026 for anyone born after January 1, 1989. Everyone else needs a certificate by April 1, 2028. You must be 16 to drive a PWC, and PWC may not tow anyone. Registration lasts two years and starts at $44 for boats under 16 feet. Canoe and kayak paddlers must wear life jackets September 15 to May 15. |
| Michigan | A Boating Safety Certificate is needed if you were born on or after July 1, 1996. PWC operators born after 1978 need a certificate, and no one under 14 may drive one. Registration lasts three years and expires March 31. Kids under 6 must wear a life jacket on an open deck. |
| Minnesota | Boater education is phasing in by birth year through July 1, 2028. Non-PWC boats of 25 hp or less need no operator's permit. Registrations last three years and cover canoes and kayaks over 10 feet. PWC riding is allowed only from 9:30 a.m. to an hour before sunset. |
| Mississippi | Boater education applies to anyone born after June 30, 1980. Kids under 12 can drive only with someone 21 or older aboard. Registration lasts three years and starts at $10.99 for boats under 16 feet. Titling boats and motors is optional. The boating-under-the-influence law applies to boats with 25 hp or more and all PWC. |
| Missouri | Boater education applies to anyone born after January 1, 1984 boating on Missouri lakes. Operators must be 14, or supervised on board by someone 16 or older. Registration lasts three years and starts at $25 (plus $9 processing) for boats under 16 feet. Kids under 7 must wear a life jacket. Towing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset. |
| Montana | No boating license for adults; ages 13-14 need a certificate or an adult aboard for boats over 10 hp. Boat registration is permanent, paid once to the county treasurer. Out-of-state boats may use Montana waters for 90 consecutive days. Nonresident boats need a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass: $30 motorized, $10 non-motorized. Stop at every open watercraft inspection station. |
| Nebraska | Born after Dec. 31, 1985? You need a boating safety certificate. Minimum age to operate a motorboat or PWC is 14. Registration runs three years, from $44 plus a $4 issuing fee. Out-of-state boats need a $15 AIS Stamp each year. No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise. |
| Nevada | Born on or after Jan. 1, 1983? You need boater education to run a boat over 15 hp on interstate waters. PWC operators must be at least 14. Registration is annual, from $20 to $100 by length. Nearly every boat, including kayaks and canoes, needs an AIS decal: $13 motorized, $6 non-motorized. Out-of-state boats may use Nevada waters 90 consecutive days without Nevada registration. |
| New Hampshire | A boater education certificate is required at any age for boats over 25 hp. You must be 16 to drive a jet ski (ski craft). Registration renews every year and expires December 31. Out-of-state boats may use NH waters for up to 30 consecutive days before registering. Under 21, the boating alcohol limit is 0.02. |
| New Jersey | New Jersey requires a boating safety certificate for all power boat and jet ski operators, at any age. Non-tidal lakes like Lake Hopatcong also require an MVC boat operator's license. You must be 16 to drive a jet ski. Registration runs $12 to $250 a year by length. Life jackets are mandatory for everyone in small boats from November 1 to May 1. |
| New Mexico | Boater education card required if born on or after January 1, 1989. Kids under 13 can drive a motorboat only with an adult aboard. Registration lasts three years and costs $60 to $180 by length. Paddlers and PWC riders must wear life jackets since 2025. Engine cut-off switch link required on plane for most boats under 26 feet. |
| New York | Every motorboat and PWC operator needs a safe boating certificate. Registration lasts three years and starts at $22.50 for boats under 16 feet. Life jackets must be worn on boats under 21 feet from November 1 to May 1. No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise. |
| North Carolina | Boater education applies to anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, on boats with 10 hp or more. Registration runs one or three years: $30 or $90 for boats under 26 feet. No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise. Kids under 13 wear a life jacket underway on boats under 26 feet. |
| North Dakota | Kids 12-15 need Boat North Dakota or an adult aboard to run over 10 hp. Registration runs on a 3-year cycle, 2026 through 2028. Fees are $30 to $60 plus a $15 aquatic nuisance species fee. Kids 10 and under must wear life jackets on boats under 27 feet. North Dakota's boating alcohol limit is 0.10, not 0.08. |
| Ohio | Boater education applies to anyone born on or after January 1, 1982, running more than 10 hp. Canoes and kayaks need registration in Ohio; paddleboards do not. Registration lasts three years and starts at $12. No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise. |
| Oklahoma | Boater education is required for operators 12 through 15, not adults. Kids under 12 cannot run a boat over 10 hp or a PWC. Registration is value-based and never more than $151 a year. Registrations expire at the end of June; renew by July 1. Kids under 13 must wear a life jacket on boats under 26 feet. |
| Oregon | Every operator of a motorboat over 10 hp needs a card, at any age. Kids 11 and under cannot operate a motorboat. Registration is two years, at $5.95 per foot plus $8. Visitors need a NASBLA-approved card; there is no 60-day grace period. Kids 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway. |
| Pennsylvania | Every PWC operator needs a Boating Safety Education Certificate, whatever their age. Born on or after January 1, 1982? You need the certificate for motors over 25 hp. Registration lasts up to two years and starts at $26 for motorboats under 16 feet. Cold-weather life jacket wear is required November 1 through April 30 on small boats and paddlecraft. |
| Rhode Island | Boater education applies to anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 running more than 10 hp. Every jet ski driver needs the course, regardless of age. Registration is every two years, from $32. Out-of-state boats get 90 days before needing RI registration. Paddlers of every age must wear a life jacket. |
| South Carolina | Born after July 1, 2007? You need boater education for 10 hp or more. Registration renews every year for $10, billed with county property taxes. Kids under 12 wear life jackets on boats under 16 feet. No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise. |
| South Dakota | No boating license or education card is required. Kids under 12 need an adult aboard for motors over 6 hp. PWC operators under 14 need someone 18+ on board. Registration is yearly through your county treasurer, $18 to $55. Kids under 7 must wear life jackets above no-wake speed. |
| Tennessee | Boater education applies to anyone born after January 1, 1989 running a boat over 8.5 hp. Residents need the TWRA card; visitors can use any NASBLA-approved card. Boats with electric trolling motors must be registered; Tennessee does not title boats. PWC are daylight-only, sunrise to sunset. Kids 12 and under must wear a life jacket on open decks while underway. |
| Texas | Boater education applies to anyone born on or after September 1, 1993. Registration lasts two years and starts at $32 for boats under 16 feet. Kids under 13 wear a life jacket underway on boats under 26 feet. No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise. |
| Utah | Utah's legal limit for boat operators is 0.05 BAC. Ages 12 to 17 need a safety course to operate a PWC. Every boater must take the annual mussel-aware course, even kayakers. From January 1, 2027, every motorboat and sailboat operator needs the annual watercraft operator course. PWC may not run between sunset and sunrise. |
| Vermont | Boater education applies to anyone born after January 1, 1974. Kids under 12 may not run a motor over 6 hp. You must be 16 to drive a PWC, and only from sunrise to sunset. Registration starts at $31 a year for boats under 16 feet. Out-of-state boating certificates are accepted for non-residents. |
| Virginia | Boating safety education applies at every age for 10 hp or larger motorboats and all PWCs. No one under 14 may drive a PWC. Registration lasts three years and starts at $37 for boats under 16 feet. A canoe or kayak with an electric trolling motor must be registered and titled. |
| Washington | The Boater Education Card costs $10 and is good for life. Required for engines of 15 hp or more if born on or after January 1, 1955. Boat registration renews every year and expires June 30. Kids 12 and under wear life jackets on boats under 19 feet. |
| West Virginia | Boater education required if born on or after December 31, 1986. Out-of-state boater education certificates are accepted. Registration lasts three years and costs $30 to $75 by length. No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise. Kids under 13 must wear life jackets while underway. |
| Wisconsin | Boater education applies to anyone born on or after January 1, 1989. Registration lasts three years and starts at $22 for motorboats under 16 feet. No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise. Kids under 12 may not operate a PWC. |
| Wyoming | No boating license or education card is required. Operators under 16 need an adult 18+ aboard. Motorboat registration is $30 a year or $80 for three years. Nearly all boats, including kayaks and canoes, need an AIS decal. Kids 12 and under must wear life jackets while underway. |
Figures come from each state's official sources as recorded on our state pages. Rules change, so confirm with the official source linked on each state guide before you go.