MN · State boating guide
Minnesota
boating laws
Last verified
At a glance
- Boater card
- Required for specified operators
- operators 12 and older born after June 30, 2000, running a personal watercraft or a motorboat over 25 horsepower (the birth-date cutoff moves to June 30, 1996 on July 1, 2027 and June 30, 1987 on July 1, 2028)
- Operating age
- Under 12: may not operate a personal watercraft or any motorboat over 75 horsepower; may operate a non-PWC motorboat under 75 horsepower only with an accompanying operator (21 or older, permit holder or exempt, within reach of the controls). Non-PWC boats of 25 horsepower or less need no permit at any age.
- Life-jacket age rule
- Children under 10 must wear a properly fitted life jacket while the boat is underway.
- BUI / BAC limit
- 0.08 BAC
- Registration fee
- $23.00–$209.00
- Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
- Registration term
- 3 years
The short answer
Do I need a boating license in Minnesota?
Watercraft Operator's Permit is required for operators 12 and older born after June 30, 2000, running a personal watercraft or a motorboat over 25 horsepower (the birth-date cutoff moves to June 30, 1996 on July 1, 2027 and June 30, 1987 on July 1, 2028).
Confirm with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ↗Minnesota is phasing in a boater education requirement: since July 1, 2026, operators 12 and older born after June 30, 2000 need a Watercraft Operator's Permit to run a motorboat over 25 horsepower or any personal watercraft, and the cutoff moves to older boaters in 2027 and 2028. Children under 12 cannot operate a personal watercraft or any boat over 75 horsepower. All motorized boats and non-motorized boats over 10 feet must be registered for three years at a time. Children under 10 must wear a life jacket while underway, and the impaired-operation limit is 0.08.
Before you operate
Boater education & operating age
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education required | Yes — see who needs a card below |
| Who needs a card | operators 12 and older born after June 30, 2000, running a personal watercraft or a motorboat over 25 horsepower (the birth-date cutoff moves to June 30, 1996 on July 1, 2027 and June 30, 1987 on July 1, 2028) |
| Card or certificate | Watercraft Operator's Permit |
| Minimum operating age | Under 12: may not operate a personal watercraft or any motorboat over 75 horsepower; may operate a non-PWC motorboat under 75 horsepower only with an accompanying operator (21 or older, permit holder or exempt, within reach of the controls). Non-PWC boats of 25 horsepower or less need no permit at any age. |
| Out-of-state cards | Non-residents using Minnesota waters for no more than 60 days are exempt if they meet their home state's or country's requirements or hold a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card. USCG-licensed operators are also exempt. |
Your boat’s paperwork
Boat registration & fees
All motorized boats regardless of length and non-motorized boats over 10 feet, including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Registrations run three calendar years. Each registration also carries an aquatic invasive species surcharge, a $1.50 ELS fee and a filing fee ($7 for new registrations and transfers).
- Pleasure craft less than 17 feet (+ $25 AIS surcharge)$36.00
- Pleasure craft 17 to 19 feet (+ $29 AIS surcharge)$59.00
- Pleasure craft over 19 to less than 26 feet (+ $38 AIS surcharge)$113.00
- Pleasure craft 26 to less than 40 feet (+ $50 AIS surcharge)$164.00
- Pleasure craft 40 feet and over (+ $62 AIS surcharge)$209.00
- Personal watercraft (+ $25 AIS surcharge)$85.00
- Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats up to 19 feet (+ $20 AIS surcharge)$23.00
Registration fee data and sources
| Boat / fee category | Fee | Term | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasure craft less than 17 feet (+ $25 AIS surcharge) | $36.00 | 3 years | Official source: Pleasure craft less than 17 feet (+ $25 AIS surcharge) ↗ |
| Pleasure craft 17 to 19 feet (+ $29 AIS surcharge) | $59.00 | 3 years | Official source: Pleasure craft 17 to 19 feet (+ $29 AIS surcharge) ↗ |
| Pleasure craft over 19 to less than 26 feet (+ $38 AIS surcharge) | $113.00 | 3 years | Official source: Pleasure craft over 19 to less than 26 feet (+ $38 AIS surcharge) ↗ |
| Pleasure craft 26 to less than 40 feet (+ $50 AIS surcharge) | $164.00 | 3 years | Official source: Pleasure craft 26 to less than 40 feet (+ $50 AIS surcharge) ↗ |
| Pleasure craft 40 feet and over (+ $62 AIS surcharge) | $209.00 | 3 years | Official source: Pleasure craft 40 feet and over (+ $62 AIS surcharge) ↗ |
| Personal watercraft (+ $25 AIS surcharge) | $85.00 | 3 years | Official source: Personal watercraft (+ $25 AIS surcharge) ↗ |
| Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats up to 19 feet (+ $20 AIS surcharge) | $23.00 | 3 years | Official source: Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats up to 19 feet (+ $20 AIS surcharge) ↗ |
Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) rules
- Anyone operating or riding a PWC must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
- PWC may operate only from 9:30 a.m. to one hour before sunset.
- Stay at slow no-wake speed (5 mph or less) within 150 feet of shore, docks, swimmers, non-motorized boats and moored or anchored boats.
- Operators under 12 may not run a PWC, even with an adult aboard; operators 12 and older covered by the phase-in need a Watercraft Operator's Permit.
- If the PWC has a lanyard engine cut-off switch, attach it to the operator when underway.
- Do not weave through traffic or jump another craft's wake within 150 feet of it.
Towing & watersports
- Towing a skier, tuber or wake surfer requires a wide-field rearview mirror or a second person continuously watching; a PWC must carry an observer unless it has a factory wide-field mirror.
- No water skiing, tubing or wake surfing from a half hour after sunset to sunrise.
- Tow ropes may not exceed 150 feet without a county sheriff permit.
- A life jacket must be worn by the person being towed or carried in the towing boat.
Life jacket rules
- Carry a readily accessible, wearable USCG-approved life jacket for each person on board, including in canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
- Children under 10 must wear a properly fitted life jacket while the boat is underway.
- Boats 16 feet or longer (except canoes and kayaks) must also carry one Type IV throwable device.
- PWC operators and passengers must each wear a life jacket.
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
- Boater education is phasing in by birth year through July 1, 2028.
- Non-PWC boats of 25 hp or less need no operator's permit.
- Registrations last three years and cover canoes and kayaks over 10 feet.
- PWC riding is allowed only from 9:30 a.m. to an hour before sunset.
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.
- New Boater Education Law ↗Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Boat and water safety education ↗Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Minnesota Boating Guide 2026 ↗Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Watercraft licenses - registration procedures & fees ↗Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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