ME · State boating guide

Maine
boating laws

Last verified October 28, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: Required for specified operators; Anyone born on or after January 1, 1999 operating a motorboat over 25 hp for recreational boating on inland or territorial waters, or operating any PWC. Supervisors of under-12 operators born on or after that date must also have the course. Persons born before January 1, 1999 are exempt; Maine guides, USCG-licensed operators and some dealer test drives are also exempt.
Operating age: Under 12 may operate a motorboat of 10 hp or less alone; over 10 hp only with a supervisor 16+ aboard (who has the course if born on or after 1/1/1999). Age 12+ with the course for over 25 hp. PWC operators must be at least 16.
Life-jacket age rule: Children 12 and under, including operators, must wear a life jacket while underway for recreation, unless below decks or in an enclosed cabin.
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC (operators under 21: any alcohol, more than 0.00)
Registration fee: $15.00–$60.00; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 1 year

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in Maine?

Maine Boater Safety and Education Course Certificate is required for Anyone born on or after January 1, 1999 operating a motorboat over 25 hp for recreational boating on inland or territorial waters, or operating any PWC. Supervisors of under-12 operators born on or after that date must also have the course. Persons born before January 1, 1999 are exempt; Maine guides, USCG-licensed operators and some dealer test drives are also exempt.

Confirm with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) ↗

Maine requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1999 to complete a NASBLA-approved boater safety course before operating a motorboat over 25 hp for recreation, and before operating a PWC, which also requires being at least 16. Motorboats are registered with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife each calendar year; fees run by horsepower and are higher on inland waters because they include the Lake and River Protection Sticker. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway, and the legal limit is 0.08 BAC (any alcohol for operators under 21).

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

Maine boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	Yes — see who needs a card below
Who needs a card	Anyone born on or after January 1, 1999 operating a motorboat over 25 hp for recreational boating on inland or territorial waters, or operating any PWC. Supervisors of under-12 operators born on or after that date must also have the course. Persons born before January 1, 1999 are exempt; Maine guides, USCG-licensed operators and some dealer test drives are also exempt.
Card or certificate	Maine Boater Safety and Education Course Certificate
Minimum operating age	Under 12 may operate a motorboat of 10 hp or less alone; over 10 hp only with a supervisor 16+ aboard (who has the course if born on or after 1/1/1999). Age 12+ with the course for over 25 hp. PWC operators must be at least 16.
Out-of-state cards	Maine accepts and recognizes all NASBLA-approved boater safety and education course certificates.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

Motorboats (any motor) and PWC used on Maine waters. Out-of-state registered boats on Maine internal waters under 60 consecutive days need no Maine registration but must buy a Lake and River Protection Sticker. Certificates are issued per calendar year and expire December 31. Boats also owe a separate annual municipal excise tax.

10 hp or less, inland waters$40.00
10 hp or less, tidal waters only$15.00
Over 10 to 50 hp, inland waters$45.00
Over 10 to 50 hp, tidal waters only$20.00
Over 50 to 115 hp, inland waters$51.00
Over 50 to 115 hp, tidal waters only$26.00
Over 115 hp or PWC, inland waters$59.00
Over 115 hp or PWC, tidal waters only$34.00
Lake and River Protection Sticker (boat not registered in Maine)$60.00

Registration fee data and sources

Maine registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
10 hp or less, inland waters	$40.00	1 year	Official source: 10 hp or less, inland waters ↗
10 hp or less, tidal waters only	$15.00	1 year	Official source: 10 hp or less, tidal waters only ↗
Over 10 to 50 hp, inland waters	$45.00	1 year	Official source: Over 10 to 50 hp, inland waters ↗
Over 10 to 50 hp, tidal waters only	$20.00	1 year	Official source: Over 10 to 50 hp, tidal waters only ↗
Over 50 to 115 hp, inland waters	$51.00	1 year	Official source: Over 50 to 115 hp, inland waters ↗
Over 50 to 115 hp, tidal waters only	$26.00	1 year	Official source: Over 50 to 115 hp, tidal waters only ↗
Over 115 hp or PWC, inland waters	$59.00	1 year	Official source: Over 115 hp or PWC, inland waters ↗
Over 115 hp or PWC, tidal waters only	$34.00	1 year	Official source: Over 115 hp or PWC, tidal waters only ↗
Lake and River Protection Sticker (boat not registered in Maine)	$60.00	1 year	Official source: Lake and River Protection Sticker (boat not registered in Maine) ↗

Published registration fees in USD. Bar lengths compare the listed amounts; terms and official sources appear in the data table below.

Registration details from the agency

Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) rules

Operators must be at least 16 and, if born on or after January 1, 1999, must have completed a boater safety course.
Everyone on a PWC must wear a USCG-approved life jacket (handbook: non-inflatable).
No PWC operation between sunset and sunrise.
A parent or guardian is liable when a minor under 18 operates a PWC in violation of the law.
PWC are banned on dozens of named lakes and ponds; check local rules.

Towing & watersports

No towing anyone on skis, a surfboard or other device from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise; a PWC may tow only between sunrise and sunset.
A responsible observer at least 12 years old must be aboard in addition to the operator (exception: regulation slalom courses with wide-angle rear-view mirrors).
Anyone being towed must wear a non-inflatable PFD.
No towing within 200 feet of any shoreline, including islands, except while picking up or dropping off.

Life jacket rules

Carry a USCG-approved wearable life jacket for each person aboard.
Children 12 and under, including operators, must wear a life jacket while underway for recreation, unless below decks or in an enclosed cabin.
Boats 16 feet or longer (except canoes, kayaks and SUPs) must also carry a throwable device.
Everyone on a PWC must wear a life jacket.
Life jackets must be worn on certain waters, such as the Saco River (Hiram Dam to the ocean) from January 1 to June 1 when canoeing or kayaking.

Boating under the influence

Published limit: 0.08 BAC (operators under 21: any alcohol, more than 0.00). Read the linked official guidance for the full rule and any age-specific provisions.