MS · State boating guide

Mississippi
boating laws

Last verified October 28, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: Required for specified operators; anyone born after June 30, 1980 who operates a boat or personal watercraft on Mississippi public waters; proof of course completion must be carried while operating
Operating age: Operators under 12 must be accompanied on board by a person 21 or older. No other state minimum age is set.
Life-jacket age rule: Anyone 12 years old or younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times while the vessel is underway.
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC is evidence of intoxication (the Alcohol Boating Safety Act covers boats with motors of 25 hp or more and all PWC)
Registration fee: $10.99–$48.49; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 3 years

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in Mississippi?

Mississippi Boater Education Card is required for anyone born after June 30, 1980 who operates a boat or personal watercraft on Mississippi public waters; proof of course completion must be carried while operating.

Confirm with Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) ↗

Mississippi requires anyone born after June 30, 1980 to complete a boater education course before operating a boat or PWC, and operators under 12 must have someone 21 or older aboard. Every sailboat and motorized vessel must be registered with MDWFP for three years, with fees from $10.99. Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway, and a BAC of 0.08 or more is evidence of boating while intoxicated.

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

Mississippi boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	Yes — see who needs a card below
Who needs a card	anyone born after June 30, 1980 who operates a boat or personal watercraft on Mississippi public waters; proof of course completion must be carried while operating
Card or certificate	Mississippi Boater Education Card
Minimum operating age	Operators under 12 must be accompanied on board by a person 21 or older. No other state minimum age is set.
Out-of-state cards	MDWFP's pages and handbook do not say whether boater education cards from other states are accepted; check with MDWFP before relying on an out-of-state card.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

All sailboats and every undocumented vessel with propulsion machinery, even if the motor is not the main source of power. Register within 10 days of acquisition. Registrations last three years from the date issued. Boat and motor titles are optional ($10).

Less than 16 feet$10.99
16 to less than 26 feet$25.99
26 to less than 40 feet$48.49
40 feet and over$48.49

Registration fee data and sources

Mississippi registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
Less than 16 feet	$10.99	3 years	Official source: Less than 16 feet ↗
16 to less than 26 feet	$25.99	3 years	Official source: 16 to less than 26 feet ↗
26 to less than 40 feet	$48.49	3 years	Official source: 26 to less than 40 feet ↗
40 feet and over	$48.49	3 years	Official source: 40 feet and over ↗

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 on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II or III life jacket.
Do not jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close to it, or swerve at the last moment to avoid a collision.
On marine waters south of I-10: the engine cut-off lanyard (or a self-circling device) is required and must be attached to the operator.
On marine waters south of I-10: no excessive speed within 100 feet of another occupied vessel, no wake jumping within 100 feet of another vessel, and no following within 100 feet of a water skier.
A PWC towing a skier must be rated for at least three people.

Towing & watersports

An observer older than 10, in addition to the operator, must watch the person being towed at all times.
Keep a reasonable distance from other vessels, people and property; causing a towed person to collide with anything is illegal.
It is illegal to be towed while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A PWC towing a skier must be rated for at least three people, and anyone towed behind a PWC must wear a life jacket.

Life jacket rules

Carry a USCG-approved wearable life jacket, sized to fit, for each person on board.
Boats 16 feet or longer must also carry a USCG-approved throwable device.
Anyone 12 years old or younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times while the vessel is underway.
Everyone on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a life jacket.

Boating under the influence

Published limit: 0.08 BAC is evidence of intoxication (the Alcohol Boating Safety Act covers boats with motors of 25 hp or more and all PWC). Read the linked official guidance for the full rule and any age-specific provisions.

At a glance

Boater education applies to anyone born after June 30, 1980.
Kids under 12 can drive only with someone 21 or older aboard.
Registration lasts three years and starts at $10.99 for boats under 16 feet.
Titling boats and motors is optional in Mississippi.
The boating-under-the-influence law applies to boats with 25 hp or more and all PWC.

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