NH · State boating guide

New Hampshire
boating laws

Last verified October 28, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: Required for specified operators; Everyone, regardless of birth year, operating a motorized vessel over 25 hp. A person under 16 may operate such a vessel only when accompanied by someone 18 or older who holds a certificate. Boats of 25 hp or less need no certificate.
Operating age: 16 to obtain the certificate and to operate a 'ski craft' (PWC under 13 ft); under 16 may run a boat over 25 hp only with a certified adult 18+ aboard; no minimum age for 25 hp or less.
Life-jacket age rule: Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times while underway, unless the vessel is fully enclosed by railings at least three feet high.
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC (0.02 for operators under 21)
Registration fee: $2.00–$92.00; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 1 year

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire Safe Boater Education Certificate is required for Everyone, regardless of birth year, operating a motorized vessel over 25 hp. A person under 16 may operate such a vessel only when accompanied by someone 18 or older who holds a certificate. Boats of 25 hp or less need no certificate.

Confirm with New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police, Marine Patrol Bureau ↗

New Hampshire requires a Safe Boater Education Certificate for anyone of any age operating a boat with more than 25 hp, and operators under 16 may run such a boat only with a certified adult 18 or older aboard. Boats are registered every year through the NH Division of Motor Vehicles, with a length-based fee from $24 plus about $21.50 in required boat fee decal charges. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway, and the BWI limit is 0.08 BAC (0.02 under 21).

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

New Hampshire boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	Yes — see who needs a card below
Who needs a card	Everyone, regardless of birth year, operating a motorized vessel over 25 hp. A person under 16 may operate such a vessel only when accompanied by someone 18 or older who holds a certificate. Boats of 25 hp or less need no certificate.
Card or certificate	New Hampshire Safe Boater Education Certificate
Minimum operating age	16 to obtain the certificate and to operate a 'ski craft' (PWC under 13 ft); under 16 may run a boat over 25 hp only with a certified adult 18+ aboard; no minimum age for 25 hp or less.
Out-of-state cards	Accepts NASBLA-approved certificates issued by or for another state, U.S. Power Squadron and USCG Auxiliary certificates, unexpired USCG or NH commercial licenses, and Transport Canada-approved certificates.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

Every motorboat of any size (including electric) and sailboats or sailboards 12 feet or longer. Exempt: sailboats/sailboards under 12 ft, canoes, kayaks and other small non-motorized craft, and boats registered in another state using NH waters 30 or fewer consecutive days. Registration and the boat fee decal expire December 31 each year and are issued by the NH DMV or its agents.

Up to 16 ft (base registration)$24.00
16.1-21 ft (base registration)$34.00
21.1-30 ft (base registration)$52.00
30.1-45 ft (base registration)$72.00
45.1 ft and over (base registration)$92.00
Boat fee decal, inland (lake restoration $12.50 + search and rescue $1 + boat access $5 + navigation safety $3)$21.50
Boat fee decal add-on for tidal or coastal waters$2.00
Authorized agent processing fee (non-DMV agent)$5.00

Registration fee data and sources

New Hampshire registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
Up to 16 ft (base registration)	$24.00	1 year	Official source: Up to 16 ft (base registration) ↗
16.1-21 ft (base registration)	$34.00	1 year	Official source: 16.1-21 ft (base registration) ↗
21.1-30 ft (base registration)	$52.00	1 year	Official source: 21.1-30 ft (base registration) ↗
30.1-45 ft (base registration)	$72.00	1 year	Official source: 30.1-45 ft (base registration) ↗
45.1 ft and over (base registration)	$92.00	1 year	Official source: 45.1 ft and over (base registration) ↗
Boat fee decal, inland (lake restoration $12.50 + search and rescue $1 + boat access $5 + navigation safety $3)	$21.50	1 year	Official source: Boat fee decal, inland (lake restoration $12.50 + search and rescue $1 + boat access $5 + navigation safety $3) ↗
Boat fee decal add-on for tidal or coastal waters	$2.00	1 year	Official source: Boat fee decal add-on for tidal or coastal waters ↗
Authorized agent processing fee (non-DMV agent)	$5.00	1 year	Official source: Authorized agent processing fee (non-DMV agent) ↗

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

PWC under 13 feet are 'ski craft' under NH law; no one under 16 may operate one, and the operator must hold a Safe Boater Education Certificate.
The ski craft operator must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times.
Ski craft may operate only from sunrise to sunset.
Headway speed only within 150 feet of swimmers, other vessels, rafts, docks, swimming areas or mooring fields.
No ski craft operation in coves (1,000 ft wide or less) or within 300 feet of shore except at headway speed heading directly to a permitted area; banned on lakes and ponds under 75 acres.

Towing & watersports

Towing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset.
An observer at least 13 years old is required in addition to the operator; a boat towing three or more tubers needs two observers.
Skiers, wakeboarders and tubers must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
A boat may tow no more than two skiers or wakeboarders at once without a permit, and up to six tubers.

Life jacket rules

Every vessel must carry one wearable USCG-approved life jacket for each person aboard.
Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times while underway, unless the vessel is fully enclosed by railings at least three feet high.
Ski craft operators and anyone being towed must wear a life jacket.

Boating under the influence

Published limit: 0.08 BAC (0.02 for operators under 21). Read the linked official guidance for the full rule and any age-specific provisions.

At a glance

A boater education certificate is required at any age for boats over 25 hp.
You must be 16 to drive a jet ski (ski craft).
Registration renews every year and expires December 31.
Out-of-state boats may use NH waters for up to 30 consecutive days before registering.
Under 21, the boating alcohol limit is 0.02.

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