NY · State boating guide
New York
boating laws
Last verified
At a glance
- Boater card
- Required for specified operators
- all operators of motorized boats, including personal watercraft and specialty craft, regardless of age
- Operating age
- Operators of motorized boats must be at least 10 and hold a boating safety certificate. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14. Adults 18 and older may rent a motorboat or PWC from a livery without a certificate after basic instruction; renters under 18 need a certificate, and PWC renters must be 16 or older.
- Life-jacket age rule
- Children under 12 must wear a life jacket on any motorboat under 65 feet and on any other pleasure boat, including sailboats, canoes and kayaks, unless in an enclosed cabin.
- BUI / BAC limit
- 0.08 BAC (0.02 for operators under 21)
- Registration fee
- $22.50–$75.00
- Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
- Registration term
- 3 years
The short answer
Do I need a boating license in New York?
New York Safe Boating Certificate is required for all operators of motorized boats, including personal watercraft and specialty craft, regardless of age.
Confirm with New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation ↗Under Brianna's Law, every operator of a motorized boat in New York, including personal watercraft, must complete a state-approved safe boating course and carry the original certificate. Operators must be at least 10 years old, and personal watercraft operators at least 14. Every boat with a motor of any kind must be registered with the DMV for three years at a time. Children under 12 must wear a life jacket, everyone on a pleasure boat under 21 feet must wear one from November 1 to May 1, and the impaired-boating limit is 0.08 BAC (0.02 for operators under 21).
Before you operate
Boater education & operating age
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education required | Yes — see who needs a card below |
| Who needs a card | all operators of motorized boats, including personal watercraft and specialty craft, regardless of age |
| Card or certificate | New York Safe Boating Certificate |
| Minimum operating age | Operators of motorized boats must be at least 10 and hold a boating safety certificate. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14. Adults 18 and older may rent a motorboat or PWC from a livery without a certificate after basic instruction; renters under 18 need a certificate, and PWC renters must be 16 or older. |
| Out-of-state cards | An out-of-state boating safety certificate is recognized only if it was issued by your current state of residence for a NASBLA-approved course. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and America's Boating Club (Power Squadron) certificates are valid, and USCG license holders are exempt but must carry a copy of the license. |
Your boat’s paperwork
Boat registration & fees
Every boat with a motor (electric or fuel-driven), regardless of the size of the boat or motor. Boats without a motor do not need to be registered, and boats registered in another state are exempt if kept in New York no more than 90 consecutive days. Registrations are issued for three years; a $50 title fee may also apply to model-year 1987 and newer boats 14 feet or longer.
- Less than 16 feet$22.50
- 16 feet to less than 26 feet$45.00
- 26 feet or longer$75.00
Registration fee data and sources
| Boat / fee category | Fee | Term | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 16 feet | $22.50 | 3 years | Official source: Less than 16 feet ↗ |
| 16 feet to less than 26 feet | $45.00 | 3 years | Official source: 16 feet to less than 26 feet ↗ |
| 26 feet or longer | $75.00 | 3 years | Official source: 26 feet or longer ↗ |
Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) rules
- PWC operators must be at least 14 and must complete a safe boating course.
- No PWC operation from sunset to sunrise.
- Everyone on a PWC must wear a securely fastened USCG-approved life jacket; most inflatable life jackets are not approved for PWC use.
- If the PWC has a lanyard engine cut-off switch, attach the lanyard to your person, clothing or life jacket.
- Stay at least 500 feet from designated bathing areas, except where local rules allow and then at no more than 10 mph.
- Weaving through traffic, jumping another boat's wake too closely or swerving at the last moment counts as reckless operation.
Towing & watersports
- Anyone being towed by a pleasure boat must wear a life jacket.
Life jacket rules
- Carry one USCG-approved life jacket of the right size for each person on board, readily accessible and in good condition.
- Children under 12 must wear a life jacket on any motorboat under 65 feet and on any other pleasure boat, including sailboats, canoes and kayaks, unless in an enclosed cabin.
- Everyone on a pleasure boat under 21 feet, including canoes and kayaks, must wear a life jacket between November 1 and May 1.
- Everyone on a PWC 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
- Every motorboat and PWC operator needs a safe boating certificate.
- Registration lasts three years and starts at $22.50 for boats under 16 feet.
- Life jackets must be worn on boats under 21 feet from November 1 to May 1.
- No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise.
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.
- Boating Education ↗New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Boating ↗New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Personal Watercraft ↗New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Register a Boat ↗New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
- Navigation Law § 49 (operator) ↗New York State Senate
- Navigation Law § 49-a (operating under the influence) ↗New York State Senate
- Navigation Law § 49-b (under 21) ↗New York State Senate
- Navigation Law § 73-a (personal watercraft) ↗New York State Senate
Last verified
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