ID · State boating guide
Idaho
boating laws
Last verified
At a glance
- Boater card
- No general requirement
- no general requirement; PWC rental customers must receive the IDPR education from the rental business and carry a wallet card, and operators convicted of boating under the influence or of repeat boating-law violations must pass a boating course
- Operating age
- Idaho has no statewide minimum age to operate a boat; operators must be competent and know the navigation rules. Some counties, such as Benewah, Bonner and Kootenai, set local age rules.
- Life-jacket age rule
- Children 14 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on boats 19 feet or shorter.
- BUI / BAC limit
- 0.08 BAC (0.02 under 21)
- Registration fee
- $2.00–$30.00
- Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
- Registration term
- 1 year
The short answer
Do I need a boating license in Idaho?
Idaho has no statewide boating license or minimum operator age, though some counties, including Benewah, Bonner and Kootenai, set their own age rules.
Confirm with Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation ↗Idaho has no statewide boating license or minimum operator age, though some counties, including Benewah, Bonner and Kootenai, set their own age rules. Boater education is required only for people renting a PWC, people convicted of boating under the influence and repeat boating-law offenders. Motorized boats and sailboats are registered every calendar year, starting at $20 for boats up to 12 feet, with the $10 Idaho Invasive Species Fund fee built in for Idaho-registered boats. Children 14 and younger must wear a life jacket on boats 19 feet or shorter, and the BUI limit is 0.08 BAC (0.02 under 21).
Before you operate
Boater education & operating age
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education required | No — see the official requirements for exceptions |
| Who needs a card | no general requirement; PWC rental customers must receive the IDPR education from the rental business and carry a wallet card, and operators convicted of boating under the influence or of repeat boating-law violations must pass a boating course |
| Card or certificate | Idaho boater education certificate (voluntary for most boaters) |
| Minimum operating age | Idaho has no statewide minimum age to operate a boat; operators must be competent and know the navigation rules. Some counties, such as Benewah, Bonner and Kootenai, set local age rules. |
| Out-of-state cards | Idaho does not require a boating license or education card for general operation, so out-of-state boaters need none. Boats registered in another state may use Idaho waters for up to 60 consecutive days. |
Your boat’s paperwork
Boat registration & fees
All motorized vessels and all sailboats on Idaho waters need an Idaho Certificate of Number and validation stickers, renewed each calendar year (through December 31). Exempt: manually propelled boats such as canoes, rafts and kayaks, float tubes without a motor, sailboards, USCG-documented vessels, and boats registered in another state using Idaho waters 60 or fewer consecutive days. Register online, at IDPR offices, county DMV offices or vendors; an administrative fee of up to $1.50 may be added. Boats of model year 2000 or newer with permanently attached propulsion must also be titled. Out-of-state motorized boats need a $30 invasive species sticker and non-motorized boats a $7 sticker.
- Vessel up to 12 feet (per year)$20.00
- Vessel over 12 feet: $20 base plus $2 per foot over 12 feet (per year)$20.00
- Idaho Invasive Species Fund, Idaho-registered boat (part of annual registration)$10.00
- Invasive species sticker, out-of-state motorized boat$30.00
- Invasive species sticker, non-motorized boat$7.00
- Vessel owned by a non-profit organization (per year)$2.00
Registration fee data and sources
| Boat / fee category | Fee | Term | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vessel up to 12 feet (per year) | $20.00 | 1 year | Official source: Vessel up to 12 feet (per year) ↗ |
| Vessel over 12 feet: $20 base plus $2 per foot over 12 feet (per year) | $20.00 | 1 year | Official source: Vessel over 12 feet: $20 base plus $2 per foot over 12 feet (per year) ↗ |
| Idaho Invasive Species Fund, Idaho-registered boat (part of annual registration) | $10.00 | 1 year | Official source: Idaho Invasive Species Fund, Idaho-registered boat (part of annual registration) ↗ |
| Invasive species sticker, out-of-state motorized boat | $30.00 | 1 year | Official source: Invasive species sticker, out-of-state motorized boat ↗ |
| Invasive species sticker, non-motorized boat | $7.00 | 1 year | Official source: Invasive species sticker, non-motorized boat ↗ |
| Vessel owned by a non-profit organization (per year) | $2.00 | 1 year | Official source: Vessel owned by a non-profit organization (per year) ↗ |
Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) rules
- Everyone riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a USCG-approved wearable life jacket.
- If the PWC has a lanyard engine cut-off switch, the operator must attach the lanyard to their person, clothing or life jacket.
- No PWC operation between sunset and sunrise or in restricted visibility unless the PWC has the required navigation lights.
- PWC must be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner; no weaving through congested traffic.
- PWC rental businesses must give each renter IDPR boater education, and the operator must carry the verification wallet card.
Towing & watersports
- Everyone being towed must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
- No towing a water-skier from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
- A competent observer, besides the operator, must continuously watch the person being towed.
- A PWC used for towing must be rated by the manufacturer for at least three people: operator, observer and skier.
- Carry a red or orange skier-down flag and display it whenever the skier is in the water.
Life jacket rules
- Carry one USCG-approved wearable life jacket of the proper size for each person on board or being towed.
- Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry one throwable device.
- Children 14 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on boats 19 feet or shorter.
- Everyone on a PWC and everyone being towed must wear a life jacket.
Boating under the influence
Published limit: 0.08 BAC (0.02 under 21). Read the linked official guidance for the full rule and any age-specific provisions.
At a glance
- No statewide boating license or minimum operator age in Idaho.
- 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.
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 ↗Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
- Idaho Boating Handbook ↗Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
- Registration & Permits ↗Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
- Idaho Code 67-7008, Certificate of number fees ↗Idaho Legislature
- Invasive Species Program FAQs ↗Idaho State Department of Agriculture
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