Boating Laws and Regulations by State

Most states require boaters to complete a safety course before they can legally take to the water. Once you pass, this safety certification serves as a “boating license.” Safety courses are generally administered by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Since NASBLA is the recognized boating authority in all 50 states, most will accept any NASBLA-approved certificate — meaning that if you were certified in Alabama, you won’t have to complete a second course to take your boat out in Wisconsin.

Minors can legally operate boats in all 50 states, but each state has its own restrictions. Many set the minimum boating age at 12 years old. Others have no minimum age at all — as long as the child can pass a boater safety certification course. Parents should also take note of their state’s supervision requirements. In some places, certified minors are free to operate a boat on their own. A few states, however, require an adult to be on board when anyone under the age of 18 is operating. See our map above for age and supervision rules in your state.

All states require registration for motorized vessels like motorboats and personal watercraft (PWCs). Most require sailboats to be registered as well, and a few (Washington, D.C., Louisiana, Minnesota, and Ohio) ask boaters to register paddle craft like kayaks and canoes. But unlike cars, not all states register boats through the DMV. Many issue titles through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Parks and Recreation, or other state agency. You can find your state’s requirements and issuing agency on the map above. For more detail about the registration process and pricing, see your state’s Boating and Registration Instructions on DMV.org.

Most states don’t require boaters to insure their vessels. Only three — Arkansas, Hawaii, and Utah — stipulate that you must have liability coverage on the water. That said, we highly recommend considering a boater’s insurance policy if you’re on the water often. Boater’s insurance can cover damages to your boat, other watercraft, bodily injuries, and more costs that would make a sizeable dent in your wallet if you have to cover them out of pocket. For more information on boater’s insurance and a run down of our favorite companies, check out our review of the Best Boat Insurance.

In most states, children under 13 years old must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on a moving boat, unless they are below decks or in an enclosed area. Almost every state requires PFDs for people operating jet skis or being towed behind a boat (think water skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, etc.). See the map above for your state’s individual life jacket requirements. If you need help choosing the right PFDs for you and your family, check out this helpful brochure from the USCG.

Rules around alcohol and boating tend to mirror rules about alcohol and driving. Most states set the legal BAC limit for boaters at 0.08%; any BAC above that threshold is considered “impaired” and unsafe to operate a boat. In just two states — North Dakota and Wyoming — the limit is slightly higher, at 0.10%. Boating under the influence puts yourself and others at risk, and BUIs can be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies. Punishments for BUIs vary by state, but may include fines, jail time, or marks against your driver’s license.

Just like driving a car, it’s illegal to drink alcohol and operate a boat. This is reflected by the 0.08% legal BAC limit in most states. Unlike in a car, however, it is not illegal to have open containers of alcohol on a boat. That means that passengers are legally allowed to drink while on board — as long as they’re 21 or older, of course.