MT · State boating guide

Montana
boating laws

Last verified October 29, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: Required for specified operators; operators aged 13 and 14 of a motorboat or PWC powered by more than 10 horsepower, unless accompanied by someone 18 or older
Operating age: Children 12 and younger may not operate a motorboat or PWC powered by more than 10 horsepower unless accompanied by someone 18 or older. Ages 13 and 14 need the safety certificate or proof of an approved course, or an adult 18+ aboard. You must be 18 to rent a motorboat or PWC over 10 horsepower.
Life-jacket age rule: Children under 12 must wear a life jacket on a boat under 26 feet that is in motion.
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC
Registration fee: $10.00–$295.50; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 1 year

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in Montana?

Montana motorboat operator's safety certificate is required for operators aged 13 and 14 of a motorboat or PWC powered by more than 10 horsepower, unless accompanied by someone 18 or older.

Confirm with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks ↗

Montana has no adult boating license. Children 12 and younger may not run a motorboat or PWC over 10 horsepower unless someone 18 or older is with them, and 13- and 14-year-olds need a Montana motorboat operator's safety certificate (or proof of another approved course) unless accompanied by an adult. Motorboats, PWC and sailboats 12 feet and longer are registered once, permanently, through the county treasurer, with fees from $65.50 to $295.50 by length. Children under 12 must wear a life jacket on moving boats under 26 feet, and nonresident boats need a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass.

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

Montana boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	Yes — see who needs a card below
Who needs a card	operators aged 13 and 14 of a motorboat or PWC powered by more than 10 horsepower, unless accompanied by someone 18 or older
Card or certificate	Montana motorboat operator's safety certificate
Minimum operating age	Children 12 and younger may not operate a motorboat or PWC powered by more than 10 horsepower unless accompanied by someone 18 or older. Ages 13 and 14 need the safety certificate or proof of an approved course, or an adult 18+ aboard. You must be 18 to rent a motorboat or PWC over 10 horsepower.
Out-of-state cards	FWP accepts evidence of completing another state's or organization's NASBLA-approved boating safety course in place of the Montana certificate.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

All motorboats (including motorized canoes, rafts and pontoons), PWC, and sailboats 12 feet or longer must be titled and permanently registered with the County Treasurer in the owner's county of residence; validation decals are no longer required. Manually propelled boats and non-motorized sailboats under 12 feet are exempt. Boats properly registered in another state or country may operate in Montana for up to 90 consecutive days. Nonresident watercraft launching in Montana must also buy a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass each year (expires December 31).

Certificate of ownership (title)$10.00
Motorboat or PWC under 16 ft, or sailboat 12 to under 16 ft (one-time permanent registration)$65.50
Motorboat or sailboat 16 to under 19 ft, or PWC 16 ft or longer (one-time permanent registration)$125.50
Motorboat or sailboat 19 ft or longer (one-time permanent registration)$295.50
Vessel AIS Prevention Pass, nonresident motorized boat$30.00
Vessel AIS Prevention Pass, nonresident non-motorized boat$10.00

Registration fee data and sources

Montana registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
Certificate of ownership (title)	$10.00	Not published	Official source: Certificate of ownership (title) ↗
Motorboat or PWC under 16 ft, or sailboat 12 to under 16 ft (one-time permanent registration)	$65.50	Not published	Official source: Motorboat or PWC under 16 ft, or sailboat 12 to under 16 ft (one-time permanent registration) ↗
Motorboat or sailboat 16 to under 19 ft, or PWC 16 ft or longer (one-time permanent registration)	$125.50	Not published	Official source: Motorboat or sailboat 16 to under 19 ft, or PWC 16 ft or longer (one-time permanent registration) ↗
Motorboat or sailboat 19 ft or longer (one-time permanent registration)	$295.50	Not published	Official source: Motorboat or sailboat 19 ft or longer (one-time permanent registration) ↗
Vessel AIS Prevention Pass, nonresident motorized boat	$30.00	1 year	Official source: Vessel AIS Prevention Pass, nonresident motorized boat ↗
Vessel AIS Prevention Pass, nonresident non-motorized boat	$10.00	1 year	Official source: Vessel AIS Prevention Pass, nonresident non-motorized boat ↗

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

All PWC operators and riders must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
If the PWC has an engine cut-off lanyard, it must be attached to the operator's wrist or life jacket.
Keep to no-wake speed within 200 feet of a dock, swimmer, swimming raft, non-motorized boat or anchored vessel.
Stand-up PWC and PWC towing a skier must travel at the minimum speed needed when leaving or returning to a dock or shore.
Children 12 and younger may not operate a PWC over 10 hp without an adult 18+; ages 13 and 14 need a safety certificate or an adult aboard.

Towing & watersports

Anyone towed by a boat, including wakeboarders, must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
No water skiing or other towed recreation between sunset and sunrise.
The towing boat must carry an operator and an observer; if the operator is 12 or younger, the observer must be at least 18.
Water skiers may not come within 50 feet of swimmers or enter a designated swimming area.

Life jacket rules

Carry a USCG-approved wearable life jacket, readily accessible, that fits each person on board.
Boats 16 feet and longer must also carry one USCG-approved throwable device.
Children under 12 must wear a life jacket on a boat under 26 feet that is in motion.
Everyone on a PWC and everyone being towed must wear a life jacket.
Inflatable life jackets count only if worn; those for people under 16 must inflate automatically.

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

No boating license for adults; ages 13-14 need a certificate or an adult aboard for boats over 10 hp.
Boat registration is permanent, paid once to the county treasurer.
Out-of-state boats may use Montana waters for 90 consecutive days.
Nonresident boats need a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass: $30 motorized, $10 non-motorized.
Stop at every open watercraft inspection station.

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