MI · State boating guide

Michigan
boating laws

Last verified October 28, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: Required for specified operators; motorboat operators born on or after July 1, 1996 (boats over 6 horsepower) and personal watercraft operators born after December 31, 1978
Operating age: Under 12: up to 6 hp with no restriction; over 6 hp to 35 hp only with a certificate on board and direct supervision by someone 16 or older; never over 35 hp. PWC: no one under 14; ages 14 and 15 need a certificate and must ride with, or within 100 feet of, a parent, guardian or designated adult 21 or older.
Life-jacket age rule: Boats under 16 feet, canoes and kayaks may carry either a wearable life jacket or a throwable device for each person.
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC
Registration fee: $5.00–$448.00; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 3 years

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in Michigan?

Boating Safety Certificate is required for motorboat operators born on or after July 1, 1996 (boats over 6 horsepower) and personal watercraft operators born after December 31, 1978.

Confirm with Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗

Michigan requires a Boating Safety Certificate for anyone born on or after July 1, 1996 who operates a motorboat over 6 horsepower, and for anyone born after December 31, 1978 who operates a personal watercraft. Children under 12 may run boats over 6 hp only up to 35 hp with a certificate and an onboard supervisor 16 or older, and no one under 14 may operate a PWC. Registration through the Secretary of State lasts three years and expires March 31 of the third year. Children under 6 must wear a life jacket on an open deck, and the impaired-operation limit is 0.08.

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

Michigan boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	Yes — see who needs a card below
Who needs a card	motorboat operators born on or after July 1, 1996 (boats over 6 horsepower) and personal watercraft operators born after December 31, 1978
Card or certificate	Boating Safety Certificate
Minimum operating age	Under 12: up to 6 hp with no restriction; over 6 hp to 35 hp only with a certificate on board and direct supervision by someone 16 or older; never over 35 hp. PWC: no one under 14; ages 14 and 15 need a certificate and must ride with, or within 100 feet of, a parent, guardian or designated adult 21 or older.
Out-of-state cards	Michigan law counts a certificate issued by the DNR, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadron, or a boat livery rental agreement for a rented PWC on the rental dates. The statute does not list other states' cards; out-of-state boats registered elsewhere may be used in Michigan for 60 days or less without Michigan registration.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

All watercraft unless exempt, including all boats with a motor (electric and inflatable too). Exempt: privately owned rowboats 16 feet or less, privately owned non-motorized canoes and kayaks, and boats registered in another state using Michigan waters for 60 days or less. Registration decals are valid three years, beginning April 1 and expiring March 31 of the third year.

Non-motorized canoe or kayak (optional)$5.00
Other non-powered vessel$9.00
Motorboat less than 12 feet$14.00
Motorboat 12 to less than 16 feet$17.00
Motorboat 16 to less than 21 feet$42.00
Motorboat 21 to less than 28 feet$115.00
Motorboat 28 to less than 35 feet$168.00
Motorboat 35 to less than 42 feet$244.00
Motorboat 42 to less than 50 feet$280.00
Motorboat 50 feet or over$448.00
Pontoon boat, any size$23.00
Motorized canoe, any size$14.00

Registration fee data and sources

Michigan registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
Non-motorized canoe or kayak (optional)	$5.00	3 years	Official source: Non-motorized canoe or kayak (optional) ↗
Other non-powered vessel	$9.00	3 years	Official source: Other non-powered vessel ↗
Motorboat less than 12 feet	$14.00	3 years	Official source: Motorboat less than 12 feet ↗
Motorboat 12 to less than 16 feet	$17.00	3 years	Official source: Motorboat 12 to less than 16 feet ↗
Motorboat 16 to less than 21 feet	$42.00	3 years	Official source: Motorboat 16 to less than 21 feet ↗
Motorboat 21 to less than 28 feet	$115.00	3 years	Official source: Motorboat 21 to less than 28 feet ↗
Motorboat 28 to less than 35 feet	$168.00	3 years	Official source: Motorboat 28 to less than 35 feet ↗
Motorboat 35 to less than 42 feet	$244.00	3 years	Official source: Motorboat 35 to less than 42 feet ↗
Motorboat 42 to less than 50 feet	$280.00	3 years	Official source: Motorboat 42 to less than 50 feet ↗
Motorboat 50 feet or over	$448.00	3 years	Official source: Motorboat 50 feet or over ↗
Pontoon boat, any size	$23.00	3 years	Official source: Pontoon boat, any size ↗
Motorized canoe, any size	$14.00	3 years	Official source: Motorized canoe, any size ↗

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

Everyone riding or towed behind a PWC must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II or III life jacket; inflatable life jackets do not count.
Attach the engine cut-off lanyard to the operator.
No PWC operation from sunset to 8 a.m.
No crossing within 150 feet behind another vessel, or running in water less than 2 feet deep, unless at slow no-wake speed.
No one under 14 may operate a PWC; ages 14 and 15 need a certificate and a parent, guardian or designated adult 21 or older aboard or within 100 feet.

Towing & watersports

When towing a skier or tuber, a second person on board must watch the person being towed and be able to tell the operator their condition and needs (ski schools and sanctioned events may use a 170-degree wide-angle mirror instead).
The person being towed must wear a Type I, II or III life jacket; inflatable life jackets do not count.
No towing from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
Boats towing and people being towed must stay 100 feet from docks, rafts, swimming areas and moored or anchored boats, except at slow no-wake speed or when picking up or dropping off skiers.

Life jacket rules

Carry at least one USCG-approved wearable life jacket of the right size for each person on board, in good condition and readily accessible.
Boats under 16 feet, canoes and kayaks may carry either a wearable life jacket or a throwable device for each person.
Boats 16 feet or longer must also carry one throwable device that is immediately available.
Children under 6 must wear a Type I or II life jacket in any open deck area while the boat is underway.

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

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.

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