Guide
Life Jacket Laws by State: Kids, Jet Skis and More
Published
Life jacket laws by state require wearable life jackets on board, and most states make children under 13 wear one underway; Florida sets an under-6 rule on boats under 26 feet, while Louisiana covers children 16 and younger on vessels under 26 feet.
- 6 Under 6 (2 states)
- 7 Under 7 (2 states)
- 8 Under 8 (1 states)
- 10 Under 10 (2 states)
- 11 Under 11 (1 states)
- 12 Under 12 (6 states)
- 13 Under 13 (34 states)
- 15 Under 15 (1 states)
- 17 Under 17 (1 states)
Tile numbers mean “under this age”; inclusive ages are converted to the equivalent cutoff. Boat length, location, cabin exceptions and other wear rules still apply. These are not universal exemptions for older children.
Read every state and its rule
| State | Category | Rule or term |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Under 8 | Children under 8 must wear a life jacket at all times on board any vessel, except in an enclosed cabin. |
| Alaska | Under 13 | Anyone under 13 must wear a life jacket in an open boat, on the deck of a boat, or while being towed. |
| Arizona | Under 13 | Children 12 and under must wear a USCG-approved life jacket whenever the vessel is underway. |
| Arkansas | Under 13 | Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket at all times on any vessel, except inside the enclosed area of a houseboat or cruiser, or inside the railings of a party barge, cruiser or houseboat that is not underway. |
| California | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket on a moving recreational boat of any length, unless in an enclosed cabin. |
| Colorado | Under 13 | Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket on the water, except inside an enclosed cabin or below deck. |
| Connecticut | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway, unless in an enclosed cabin. |
| Delaware | Under 13 | Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin, or while the boat is anchored or moored. |
| Florida | Under 6 | Children under 6 must wear a Type I, II or III life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway. |
| Georgia | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket on any moving vessel unless inside a fully enclosed cabin. |
| Hawaii | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a properly fitted life jacket while the vessel is underway, or anchored offshore outside a designated mooring area, unless below decks or in an enclosed cabin. |
| Idaho | Under 15 | Children 14 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on boats 19 feet or shorter. |
| Illinois | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket on deck or in an open boat while underway, except inside a cabin, on an anchored boat used for swimming, or on a licensed charter. |
| Indiana | Under 13 | On waters of concurrent (federal) jurisdiction, children under 13 must wear a life jacket unless below deck in an enclosed cabin or the boat is docked or anchored. |
| Iowa | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway, unless in an enclosed cabin or below deck. |
| Kansas | Under 13 | Children 12 and under must wear a USCG-approved life jacket on any vessel or while being towed, unless below decks or in an enclosed cabin. |
| Kentucky | Under 12 | Children under 12 must wear a life jacket in the open part of a boat that is underway. |
| Louisiana | Under 17 | Children 16 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on vessels under 26 feet. |
| Maine | Under 13 | Children 12 and under, including operators, must wear a life jacket while underway for recreation, unless below decks or in an enclosed cabin. |
| Maryland | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet. |
| Massachusetts | Under 12 | Children under 12 must wear a life jacket whenever above deck on a vessel that is underway. |
| Michigan | Under 6 | Children under 6 must wear a Type I or II life jacket in any open deck area while the boat is underway. |
| Minnesota | Under 10 | Children under 10 must wear a properly fitted life jacket while the boat is underway. |
| Mississippi | Under 13 | Anyone 12 years old or younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times while the vessel is underway. |
| Missouri | Under 7 | Children under 7 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times on board unless in a fully enclosed cabin. |
| Montana | Under 12 | Children under 12 must wear a life jacket on a boat under 26 feet that is in motion. |
| Nebraska | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket aboard any vessel, except when waterfowl hunting from an anchored boat. |
| Nevada | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket whenever underway, unless in a fully enclosed area. |
| New Hampshire | Under 13 | Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times while underway, unless the vessel is fully enclosed by railings at least three feet high. |
| New Jersey | Under 13 | Children 12 and under must wear a properly fitted USCG-approved life jacket whenever the vessel is underway. |
| New Mexico | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin. |
| New York | Under 12 | Children under 12 must wear a life jacket on any motorboat under 65 feet and on any other pleasure boat, including sailboats, canoes and kayaks, unless in an enclosed cabin. |
| North Carolina | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear an approved life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway. |
| North Dakota | Under 11 | Children 10 and younger must wear a properly fastened life jacket while the boat is operating on boats under 27 feet. |
| Ohio | Under 10 | Children under 10 must wear a USCG-approved wearable life jacket on any vessel under 18 feet. |
| Oklahoma | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket whenever underway on a vessel under 26 feet. |
| Oregon | Under 13 | Children 12 and younger must wear a properly sized life jacket while underway. |
| Pennsylvania | Under 13 | Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on any boat 20 feet or less and in all canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. |
| Rhode Island | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway on a recreational vessel under 65 feet, unless below deck or in a closed cabin. |
| South Carolina | Under 12 | Children under 12 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket on any Class A boat (under 16 feet). |
| South Dakota | Under 7 | Children under 7 must wear a life jacket when the boat goes faster than no-wake speed, unless in a cabin or below deck. |
| Tennessee | Under 13 | Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while on the open deck of a boat that is not anchored, moored or aground. |
| Texas | Under 13 | Passengers under 13 must wear a Type I, II or III life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway. |
| Utah | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket at all times while on the water. |
| Vermont | Under 12 | Children under 12 must wear a life jacket at all times while underway on the open deck of any vessel. |
| Virginia | Under 13 | Under the federal rule enforced on most Virginia waters, children under 13 must wear a life jacket on a moving recreational vessel unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin. |
| Washington | Under 13 | Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway on boats under 19 feet, unless in a fully enclosed area. |
| West Virginia | Under 13 | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin. |
| Wisconsin | Under 13 | Wisconsin has no separate state child-wear rule, but federal law requires children under 13 to wear one while underway on federally controlled waters. |
| Wyoming | Under 13 | Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway. |
Your child’s age is only part of the rule. Boat length, whether the boat is underway, and whether a child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin can change when a life jacket must be worn.
Key Takeaways
- Keep a wearable life jacket for each person aboard, and check your state’s rules for your boat and activity.
- Your child’s required wear age and exceptions depend on state law.
- PWC, towed-sport, cold-season, and inflatable rules add conditions in some states.
Life Jacket Basics on Every Boat
You need a wearable life jacket for each person aboard, and some states also require a throwable flotation device or extra wear rules for certain boats and activities.
A carry rule means you must have the required jackets on board; a wear rule means someone must have a jacket on while boating. Check the conditions that apply to your trip, including boat length, whether you are underway, and any cabin exception.
Your state may set extra requirements for paddleboards and other small craft. For example, Arizona requires a wearable life jacket for each person on paddleboards and kayaks, while Nebraska requires a throwable device on most vessels as well as a life jacket for each person.
What Age Must Kids Wear a Life Jacket?
Under 13 is a common cutoff, though state rules also set younger and older cutoffs and may limit the rule to certain boats or conditions.
A child’s required wear age may be written as “under 13,” “12 and under,” or another age range. Those phrases have different legal meanings, so use your state’s exact wording when checking whether your child must wear a jacket.
Some rules apply only while the boat is underway or moving. Others include children on an open deck, set a boat-length limit, or allow a child to be below deck or inside an enclosed cabin.
States With Lower or Higher Age Cutoffs
Several states set cutoffs below the common under-13 rule, while others extend the child-wear requirement to older ages.
For younger cutoffs, Florida requires children under 6 to wear a life jacket on a boat under 26 feet while underway. Missouri sets the cutoff at under 7, and Alabama requires children under 8 to wear one on board, with an enclosed-cabin exception.
Some states cover older children. Idaho requires children 14 and younger to wear a life jacket underway on boats 19 feet or shorter. Louisiana requires children 16 and younger to wear one underway on vessels under 26 feet.
Jet Ski and Towed-Sport Rules
PWC rules commonly require every rider to wear a life jacket, and many states extend wear requirements to people being towed.
Check the rule for both the operator and passengers. In Arkansas, everyone on a PWC and everyone being towed must wear a life jacket. California also requires everyone on a PWC and anyone being towed to wear one.
Some states set extra limits on the jacket used for PWC riding. Oregon requires an inherently buoyant life jacket for everyone operating or riding a PWC. Texas requires everyone on a PWC, including anyone being towed, to wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
Rules also cover paddleboards and other small craft in some places. In New Mexico, everyone on a paddleboard, kayak, canoe, rubber raft, or other human-powered craft must wear a life jacket. Rhode Island requires life jackets while underway on paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, sailboards, and kiteboards.
Cold-Season Wear Rules
Several states require everyone aboard certain small boats or human-powered craft to wear a life jacket during a set cold-season period.
In Connecticut, everyone on a manually propelled vessel must wear a life jacket from October 1 through May 31. New Jersey requires everyone on recreational vessels under 26 feet, including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, to wear one underway from November 1 through May 1.
In New York, everyone on a pleasure boat under 21 feet, including canoes and kayaks, must wear a life jacket between November 1 and May 1. Pennsylvania requires everyone to wear one from November 1 through April 30 while underway or at anchor on boats under 16 feet and on canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Inflatable Life Jacket Limits
Inflatable life jackets do not meet every state’s wear requirement, especially for children, PWC riders, and people taking part in towed sports.
In Connecticut, an inflatable jacket does not count for anyone under 16 or under 90 pounds. Colorado approves inflatable life jackets only for people 16 and older, and not for PWC use, whitewater paddling, or towed sports.
For PWC use, Indiana and West Virginia do not accept inflatable jackets. Montana allows an inflatable jacket to count only when it is worn; for people under 16, it must inflate automatically.
Child Life Jacket Ages by State
Use the exact rule for your state, since cutoffs, boat limits, and cabin exceptions differ across the country.
| State | Child life jacket wear rule |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Children under 8 must wear a life jacket at all times on board any vessel, except in an enclosed cabin. |
| Alaska | Anyone under 13 must wear a life jacket in an open boat, on the deck of a boat, or while being towed. |
| Arizona | Children 12 and under must wear a USCG-approved life jacket whenever the vessel is underway. |
| Arkansas | Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket at all times on any vessel, except inside the enclosed area of a houseboat or cruiser, or inside the railings of a party barge, cruiser or houseboat that is not underway. |
| California | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket on a moving recreational boat of any length, unless in an enclosed cabin. |
| Colorado | Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket on the water, except inside an enclosed cabin or below deck. |
| Connecticut | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway, unless in an enclosed cabin. |
| Delaware | Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin, or while the boat is anchored or moored. |
| Florida | Children under 6 must wear a Type I, II or III life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway. |
| Georgia | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket on any moving vessel unless inside a fully enclosed cabin. |
| Hawaii | Children under 13 must wear a properly fitted life jacket while the vessel is underway, or anchored offshore outside a designated mooring area, unless below decks or in an enclosed cabin. |
| Idaho | Children 14 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on boats 19 feet or shorter. |
| Illinois | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket on deck or in an open boat while underway, except inside a cabin, on an anchored boat used for swimming, or on a licensed charter. |
| Indiana | On waters of concurrent (federal) jurisdiction, children under 13 must wear a life jacket unless below deck in an enclosed cabin or the boat is docked or anchored. |
| Iowa | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway, unless in an enclosed cabin or below deck. |
| Kansas | Children 12 and under must wear a USCG-approved life jacket on any vessel or while being towed, unless below decks or in an enclosed cabin. |
| Kentucky | Children under 12 must wear a life jacket in the open part of a boat that is underway. |
| Louisiana | Children 16 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on vessels under 26 feet. Everyone must wear a life jacket underway on a motorboat under 16 feet steered by a hand tiller (electric trolling motors excepted). |
| Maine | Children 12 and under, including operators, must wear a life jacket while underway for recreation, unless below decks or in an enclosed cabin. |
| Maryland | Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet. Children under 4 must wear a life jacket with added infant or child safety features. |
| Massachusetts | Children under 12 must wear a life jacket whenever above deck on a vessel that is underway. |
| Michigan | Children under 6 must wear a Type I or II life jacket in any open deck area while the boat is underway. |
| Minnesota | Children under 10 must wear a properly fitted life jacket while the boat is underway. |
| Mississippi | Anyone 12 years old or younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times while the vessel is underway. |
| Missouri | Children under 7 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times on board unless in a fully enclosed cabin. |
| Montana | Children under 12 must wear a life jacket on a boat under 26 feet that is in motion. |
| Nebraska | Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket aboard any vessel, except when waterfowl hunting from an anchored boat. |
| Nevada | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket whenever underway, unless in a fully enclosed area. Stand-up paddleboards are vessels: children under 13 must wear one. |
| New Hampshire | Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times while underway, unless the vessel is fully enclosed by railings at least three feet high. |
| New Jersey | Children 12 and under must wear a properly fitted USCG-approved life jacket whenever the vessel is underway. |
| New Mexico | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin. |
| New York | Children under 12 must wear a life jacket on any motorboat under 65 feet and on any other pleasure boat, including sailboats, canoes and kayaks, unless in an enclosed cabin. |
| North Carolina | Children under 13 must wear an approved life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway. |
| North Dakota | Children 10 and younger must wear a properly fastened life jacket while the boat is operating on boats under 27 feet. |
| Ohio | Children under 10 must wear a USCG-approved wearable life jacket on any vessel under 18 feet. |
| Oklahoma | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket whenever underway on a vessel under 26 feet. |
| Oregon | Children 12 and younger must wear a properly sized life jacket while underway. |
| Pennsylvania | Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on any boat 20 feet or less and in all canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. |
| Rhode Island | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway on a recreational vessel under 65 feet, unless below deck or in a closed cabin. |
| South Carolina | Children under 12 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket on any Class A boat (under 16 feet). |
| South Dakota | Children under 7 must wear a life jacket when the boat goes faster than no-wake speed, unless in a cabin or below deck. |
| Tennessee | Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while on the open deck of a boat that is not anchored, moored or aground. |
| Texas | Passengers under 13 must wear a Type I, II or III life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway. |
| Utah | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket at all times while on the water. |
| Vermont | Children under 12 must wear a life jacket at all times while underway on the open deck of any vessel. |
| Virginia | Under the federal rule enforced on most Virginia waters, children under 13 must wear a life jacket on a moving recreational vessel unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin. |
| Washington | Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway on boats under 19 feet, unless in a fully enclosed area. |
| West Virginia | Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin has no separate state child-wear rule, but federal law requires children under 13 to wear one while underway on federally controlled waters. |
| Wyoming | Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while the boat is 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.