NE · State boating guide

Nebraska
boating laws

Last verified October 29, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: Required for specified operators; anyone born after December 31, 1985 who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft; the course certificate must be carried while operating
Operating age: 14 for motorboats and personal watercraft; 16 to operate with a person in tow. Boat liveries may not rent to anyone under 18, though a certified operator under 18 may run a boat rented by an adult.
Life-jacket age rule: Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket aboard any vessel, except when waterfowl hunting from an anchored boat.
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC
Registration fee: $4.00–$134.00; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 3 years / 1 year

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in Nebraska?

Nebraska boating safety certificate is required for anyone born after December 31, 1985 who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft; the course certificate must be carried while operating.

Confirm with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission ↗

Anyone born after December 31, 1985 must pass a Game and Parks-approved boating safety course and carry the certificate to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft in Nebraska, and no one under 14 may operate one. Motorboats are registered through the county treasurer for three-year periods, from $44 for boats under 16 feet plus a $4 issuing fee. Boats registered in another state need a $15 Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp each year. Children under 13 must wear a life jacket aboard any vessel, and the BUI limit is 0.08 BAC.

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

Nebraska boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	Yes — see who needs a card below
Who needs a card	anyone born after December 31, 1985 who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft; the course certificate must be carried while operating
Card or certificate	Nebraska boating safety certificate
Minimum operating age	14 for motorboats and personal watercraft; 16 to operate with a person in tow. Boat liveries may not rent to anyone under 18, though a certified operator under 18 may run a boat rented by an adult.
Out-of-state cards	Non-residents who passed a NASBLA-approved boating safety course recognized by another state may operate a motorboat in Nebraska.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

All vessels powered by any mechanical device on public or private Nebraska waters, including the Missouri River and Lewis and Clark Lake. Exempt: boats registered in another state and kept in Nebraska less than 60 consecutive days, government vessels, racing motorboats during approved races and trial runs, and USCG-documented vessels. New registrations come from the county treasurer in the owner's county of residence; renewals can be done through the county or the Nebraska DMV. Registrations last three years and expire December 31 of the third year; fees for a new boat are reduced by 1/36 for each full month already passed in the period.

Class 1: under 16 feet and all canoes (3 years)$44.00
Class 2: 16 feet to under 26 feet (3 years)$64.00
Class 3: 26 feet to under 40 feet (3 years)$84.00
Class 4: 40 feet and over (3 years)$134.00
Issuing fee added to each registration$4.00
Duplicate certificate of number$9.00
Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp, boat registered in another state (plus $3 issuing fee)$15.00
Certificate of title ($6 title fee plus $4 additional fee)$10.00

Registration fee data and sources

Nebraska registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
Class 1: under 16 feet and all canoes (3 years)	$44.00	3 years	Official source: Class 1: under 16 feet and all canoes (3 years) ↗
Class 2: 16 feet to under 26 feet (3 years)	$64.00	3 years	Official source: Class 2: 16 feet to under 26 feet (3 years) ↗
Class 3: 26 feet to under 40 feet (3 years)	$84.00	3 years	Official source: Class 3: 26 feet to under 40 feet (3 years) ↗
Class 4: 40 feet and over (3 years)	$134.00	3 years	Official source: Class 4: 40 feet and over (3 years) ↗
Issuing fee added to each registration	$4.00	Not published	Official source: Issuing fee added to each registration ↗
Duplicate certificate of number	$9.00	Not published	Official source: Duplicate certificate of number ↗
Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp, boat registered in another state (plus $3 issuing fee)	$15.00	1 year	Official source: Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp, boat registered in another state (plus $3 issuing fee) ↗
Certificate of title ($6 title fee plus $4 additional fee)	$10.00	Not published	Official source: Certificate of title ($6 title fee plus $4 additional fee) ↗

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 aboard a PWC must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
If the PWC has a lanyard engine cut-off switch, the operator must attach the lanyard to their person, clothing or life jacket.
No PWC operation from sunset to sunrise.
Operate in a reasonable and prudent manner; no weaving through congested traffic or jumping another vessel's wake within 50 yards, and the operator must face forward.
A PWC may tow a person only if it is designed for more than one person and the manufacturer recommends it for towing.
Minimum age 14; boat liveries may not rent a PWC to anyone under 18.

Towing & watersports

A person other than the operator must be aboard to watch anyone being towed, unless the motorboat has a wide-angle rearview mirror.
No towing from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except at authorized events with adequate lighting.
No one under 16 may operate a motorboat or PWC with a person in tow.

Life jacket rules

Every vessel except sailboards must carry a USCG-approved life jacket for each person aboard.
Every vessel except canoes, kayaks, sailboards and PWCs must also carry one throwable flotation device.
Children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket aboard any vessel, except when waterfowl hunting from an anchored boat.
Everyone aboard a PWC must wear a life jacket.