Florida Boater
Education Law
When was the Boater Education Law effective?
October 1, 1996Who is affected? Until October
1, 2001, a person born after September 30, 1980, and on or after October 1,
2001, a person 21 years of age or younger may not operate a vessel powered
by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater unless such person has in his or her
possession aboard the vessel photographic identification and a
boater
safety identification card.
Which courses or tests are approved under this law? Any National
Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved course.
Persons must have proof of successful completion of the NASBLA approved
course.
Click here for a list of approved courses.
What will the course or test cost me?The
correspondence course is made available to the public at no charge.
Contractors for the state, such as liveries and marinas, may charge $3.00
for temporary certificates (TC) (Click
here to view a list of vendors for TC). The price for online courses
varies from one provider to the next. (Click
here for access to online boating safety courses approved in Florida).
I am a tourist here on vacation and my 15 year old wants to rent a boat.
What will we need to do? What if I bring our boat from our state with us?
If your child has a certificate where he or she has taken and passed a
NASBLA approved course, your child can operate a boat in Florida using this
certificate.
If your child has not taken a NASBLA approved course, he or she may take a
temporary certificate course equivalency exam at a livery. If your child
passes the test, the livery operator will issue a temporary boating safety
certificate for your child that will be valid for 12 months. Click here to
view a list of vendors that issue these certificates.
In Florida you must be 18 years of age to rent (enter into a rental
contract) a PWC.
My child is taking a NASBLA approved course at school.
Can my child receive a boating safety identification card if he passes the course? A child taking a NASBLA approved course at school will be eligible for a Boating Safety identification card. In order to receive a card they must send a copy of their certificate of completion to: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Boating Safety Section, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600.
How do I receive the Boating Safety
Identification Cards? Send proof of successful completion of the exam.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will send you a
boating safety card free of charge.
Vessel Operation Age Restrictions
How old do I have to be to operate a boat?
There is no minimum age to operate a boat, except a personal watercraft (PWC).
Florida law states that until October 1, 2001, a person born after September
30, 1980, and on or after October 1, 2001, a person 21 years of age or
younger may not operate a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or
greater unless such person has in his or her possession, aboard the vessel,
photographic identification and a boater safety identification card.
How old do you have to be to operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC)?
In Florida, no person under 14 years of age may operate any PWC.
How old do you have to be to rent a PWC?
Liveries are prohibited from renting a PWC to any person under 18 years of
age. Persons 14 years old or older may operate a rented PWC, as long as
someone 18 or older rented it. A person must be 18 years of age or older to
enter into a rental contract for a PWC.
Mandatory Violator Education
I received a citation. Do I have to attend a boater education course?
Every person convicted of a criminal violation of chapter 327 F.S., every
person convicted of a noncriminal infraction under this chapter if the
infraction resulted in a reportable boating accident, and every person
convicted of two noncriminal infractions as defined in s.327.73(1)(h)-(k),
(m)-(p), (s), and (t), said infractions occurring within a 12-month period,
must; enroll in, attend, and successfully complete, at his or her own
expense, a boating safety course that meets minimum standards established by
the Commission by rule.
Required Safety Equipment
What safety equipment is required on my recreational boat?
State and federal law require that you have the following safety equipment:
Personal Flotation Devices, Fire Extinguisher, Visual Distress Signal, Bell
& Whistle (sound producing device), Backfire Flame control, and proper
ventilation. Click here to view the specific requirements for your class vessel.
Recommended Safety Equipment
What type of equipment should I carry on my vessel?
It is a good idea to carry some or all of the listed equipment depending on
the nature of your vessel and trip: anchor and appropriate line (your line
should be 7-10 times the depth of the water), tools and spare parts,
emergency drinking water and food, first aid kit, charts, and a dry change
of clothing.
Livery Requirements
What do liveries provide when I rent a boat?
Chapter 327.54 F.S. requires liveries to comply with the following:
(1) A livery may not knowingly lease, hire, or rent a vessel to any person:
(a) When the number of persons intending to use the vessel exceeds the
number considered to constitute a maximum safety load for the vessel as
specified on the authorized persons capacity plate of the vessel.
(b) When the horsepower of the motor exceeds the capacity of the vessel.
(c) When the vessel does not contain the required safety equipment required
under s. 327.50.
(d) When the vessel is not seaworthy.
(e) When the vessel is equipped with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater,
unless the livery provides prerental or preride instruction that includes,
but need not be limited to:
1. Operational characteristics of the vessel to be rented.
2. Safe vessel operation and vessel right-of-way.
3. The responsibility of the vessel operator for the safe and proper
operation of the vessel.
4. Local characteristics of the waterway where the vessel will be operated.
Can anyone rent a personal watercraft?
No, persons under 18 years of age are prohibited from leasing or renting
(entering into a rental contract) a personal watercraft.
Vessel Registration / Titling
What vessels have to be TITLED?
Each vessel that is operated on the waters of the state must be titled,
unless it is:
(a) A vessel used exclusively on private lakes and ponds.
(b) A vessel owned by the United States Government.
(c) A non-motor-powered vessel less than 16 feet in length. (Trolling motors
are considered motors under this rule.)
(d) A federally documented vessel.
(e) A vessel already covered by a registration number in full force and
effect which was awarded to it pursuant to a federally approved numbering
system of another state or by the United States Coast Guard in a state
without a federally approved numbering system, if the vessel is not located
in this state for a period in excess of 90 consecutive days.
(f) A vessel from a country other than the United States temporarily using
the waters of this state for a period that is not in excess of 90 days.
(g) An amphibious vessel for which a vehicle title is issued by the
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
(h) A vessel used solely for demonstration, testing, or sales promotional
purposes by the manufacturer or dealer.
(i) A vessel owned and operated by the state or a political subdivision
thereof.
What vessels have to be REGISTERED?
Registration is an annual tax on the operation of a vessel on the waters of
this state. Upon paying the registration fee, the vessel will receive a
certificate of registration (your sea-going tax receipt) that must be
available for inspection onboard the vessel and a decal showing the year for
which the registration fee has been paid.
ALL VESSELS used on the waters of the state must be registered, either
commercial or recreational, except as follows:
(a) A vessel used exclusively on private lakes and ponds.
(b) A vessel owned by the United States Government.
(c) A vessel used exclusively as a ship's lifeboat.
(d) A non-motor-powered vessel.
If you paid a registration fee to another state or territory (Guam, Puerto
Rico, Virgin Islands, etc.), then you may temporarily operate your vessel in
Florida without paying a second time. Military personnel, on active duty,
need not register their vessel in Florida until their home state
registration expires. All other persons must pay the Florida registration
fee before operating in excess of 90 days.
How do I register my vessel?
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles registers and titles
vessels in Florida.
Click here to link to DHSMV or to renew by phone call 1-866-GO-RENEW
or 1-866-467-3639 or you may register your vessel at any
tax collectors office.
