IL · State boating guide
Illinois
boating laws
Last verified
At a glance
- Boater card
- Required for specified operators
- operators born on or after January 1, 1998, of any motorboat with more than 10 hp, including personal watercraft
- Operating age
- No one under 10 may operate any motorized vessel, including a PWC. Ages 10 and 11 may operate a motorboat over 10 hp only with direct supervision by a parent, guardian or designated person 18 or older. Ages 12 to 17 need a boating safety certificate or that same direct supervision. Supervisors born on or after January 1, 1998, must hold a certificate themselves.
- Life-jacket age rule
- 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.
- BUI / BAC limit
- 0.08 BAC
- Registration fee
- $18.00–$210.00
- Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
- Registration term
- 3 years
The short answer
Do I need a boating license in Illinois?
Illinois Boating Safety Certificate is required for operators born on or after January 1, 1998, of any motorboat with more than 10 hp, including personal watercraft.
Confirm with Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) ↗Illinois requires a boating safety certificate for anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft with more than 10 horsepower. No one under 10 may operate any motorized vessel, and operators 10 to 17 face extra supervision rules. Powered boats are registered for three years at a time, children under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway, and the legal limit is 0.08 BAC.
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, 1998, of any motorboat with more than 10 hp, including personal watercraft |
| Card or certificate | Illinois Boating Safety Certificate |
| Minimum operating age | No one under 10 may operate any motorized vessel, including a PWC. Ages 10 and 11 may operate a motorboat over 10 hp only with direct supervision by a parent, guardian or designated person 18 or older. Ages 12 to 17 need a boating safety certificate or that same direct supervision. Supervisors born on or after January 1, 1998, must hold a certificate themselves. |
| Out-of-state cards | IDNR recognizes boating safety certificates issued by another state, a Canadian province, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons. Certificates are valid for life. |
Your boat’s paperwork
Boat registration & fees
Every powered vessel needs an Illinois Certificate of Number and decals. Exempt: non-powered vessels such as canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, government vessels, boats registered in another state or USCG-documented and in Illinois under 60 consecutive days, lifeboats, foreign-registered boats temporarily in Illinois and racing-only boats. Boats over 21 feet also need a title.
- New or transfer: Class 1, under 16 ft$28.00
- New or transfer: Class 2, 16 to under 26 ft$60.00
- New or transfer: Class 3, 26 to under 40 ft$160.00
- New or transfer: Class 4, 40 ft and over$210.00
- Renewal: Class 1, under 16 ft$18.00
- Renewal: Class 2, 16 to under 26 ft$50.00
- Renewal: Class 3, 26 to under 40 ft$150.00
- Renewal: Class 4, 40 ft and over$200.00
Registration fee data and sources
| Boat / fee category | Fee | Term | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New or transfer: Class 1, under 16 ft | $28.00 | 3 years | Official source: New or transfer: Class 1, under 16 ft ↗ |
| New or transfer: Class 2, 16 to under 26 ft | $60.00 | 3 years | Official source: New or transfer: Class 2, 16 to under 26 ft ↗ |
| New or transfer: Class 3, 26 to under 40 ft | $160.00 | 3 years | Official source: New or transfer: Class 3, 26 to under 40 ft ↗ |
| New or transfer: Class 4, 40 ft and over | $210.00 | 3 years | Official source: New or transfer: Class 4, 40 ft and over ↗ |
| Renewal: Class 1, under 16 ft | $18.00 | 3 years | Official source: Renewal: Class 1, under 16 ft ↗ |
| Renewal: Class 2, 16 to under 26 ft | $50.00 | 3 years | Official source: Renewal: Class 2, 16 to under 26 ft ↗ |
| Renewal: Class 3, 26 to under 40 ft | $150.00 | 3 years | Official source: Renewal: Class 3, 26 to under 40 ft ↗ |
| Renewal: Class 4, 40 ft and over | $200.00 | 3 years | Official source: Renewal: Class 4, 40 ft and over ↗ |
Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) rules
- Everyone on a PWC or specialty prop-craft must wear a USCG-approved life jacket; inflatable life jackets are not allowed.
- If the PWC has an engine cut-off switch, the lanyard must be attached to the operator or the wireless cut-off must be active.
- No PWC operation between sunset and sunrise.
- PWC operators follow the same age and boating safety certificate rules as other motorboat operators.
- No weaving through congested traffic, jumping another vessel's wake too closely, or swerving at the last moment to avoid a collision.
Towing & watersports
- A vessel towing a skier or similar device must carry a competent observer in addition to the operator.
- The towing vessel must be designed by the manufacturer to hold the operator, observer and the people being towed.
- No towing from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise.
- Display a bright orange skier-down flag, at least 12 by 12 inches, whenever a person is in the water preparing to be towed, being towed, or not yet back aboard.
- If a towed person is not wearing a life jacket, one must be on board for them.
Life jacket rules
- Carry one USCG-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board or being towed.
- Vessels 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry a throwable device.
- 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.
- Everyone on a PWC or specialty prop-craft must wear one.
Boating under the influence
Published limit: 0.08 BAC. Read the linked official guidance for the full rule and any age-specific provisions.
At a glance
- 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.
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 Safety Education ↗Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Watercraft Transaction Fees ↗Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Register Watercraft ↗Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Boating ↗Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Illinois Boat Digest (2023 edition) ↗Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Illinois Boating Laws and Responsibilities (2026 handbook) ↗Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Kalkomey)
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