2021: 40 or younger. California law requires a person to be 16 years of age or older and in possession of his/her California Boater Card to legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 hp or more, including personal watercraft (PWCs).Exceptions to this law are: 1. The California Boater Card is not the same as a license because you do not have to renew it like a license… Once issued, the card remains valid for a boat operator’s lifetime. 2018: Age 20 or younger. In 2018, DBW accepted proof of passing an approved course taken between Jan. 1, 2015 – Dec. 31, 2017. +California age restrictions for operating a motorized vessel: According to California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 658.5, NO person under 16 years of age may operate a boat with a motor of more than 15 horsepower, except for a sailboat that does not exceed 30 feet in length or a dinghy used directly between a moored boat and the shore (or between two moored boats). Get boat license age information by state. The law will be phased-in for all boaters over the next 8 years. A California Boater Card NOT the same thing as a California driver’s license. This card is often called the ‘California boating license’. Vessel/boat with a motor (no matter how big it is). In 2018, the California Boater Card program began the phase-in by age for operators of motorized boats on state waterways. On January 1, 2018, the mandatory boating safety education law went into effect and is being phased in by age. In many cases, boat license requirements are divided up according to age groups. As of Jan. 1, 2019, DBW will only accept proof of passing approved boater education courses taken since Jan. 1, 2018. California Boater Card Requirements Timeline. The law allows children 12-15 years of age to operate boats with a motor of more than 15 horsepower or sailboats over 30 feet if supervised on board by an adult at least 18 years of age. For information on mandatory boating safety education requirements for each state, click here. NA no state certification of minors is required in CA. California Division of Boating and Waterways 1-888-326-2822 pubinfo@parks.ca.gov, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 1 (877) 875-6296, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 1-800-607-2329, US Sailing/US Powerboating1-401-683-0800Customer Service: Powerboat@ussailing.org, Address: One Capitol Mall, Suite 500, Sacramento CA 95814, Public Information Inquiries: 1-888-326-2822, Aquatic Invasive Species Email: AIS@parks.ca.gov, Vessel Pumpout and Floating Restrooms Information, Consumer Protection and Licensing Programs, Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel Exchange, Boating Law Enforcement Equipment Grant Program, Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program, Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid, Coastal Beach Restoration and Erosion Control, Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program, California Boater Education at BoatTests101.com, California Boating: A Course for Safe Boating (Home Study Course). By 2025, all persons who operate on California waters will be required to have one. Once DBW has received your application, proof of education and payment, you will receive a 90-day temporary boater card by email. This fall, the CDBW will start issuing the California Boater Card. Violating these provisions constitutes an infraction. California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 678.11(b) contains the following phase-in schedule based on operator age: The card is issued by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). California's boating education law went into effect January 1, 2018 for all persons 20 years of age and younger. Safety Equipment Carrying the proper safety equipment on your boat is not only smart, it’s the law! Comments: The employing broker must be licensed and bonded. Only age requirement as specied: + 16 no supervision; 12-15 requires supervision of operating vessel with +15 h.p. In California, each year a new age group is being added to those who are required to possess a valid card. Boating Age Requirements In California, all boaters between 12 and 15 years of age require adult supervision (18 years of age or older) to operate any motor powered vessel greater than 15 horsepower (including Personal Watercraft). Effective Jan 1, 2018 the law is being phased-in over 8 years. These courses meet the requirements for court ordered courses. Each state has its boating education requirements available on a website, usually in an area related to natural resources or transportation. Special License Requirements: Applicant must be a minimum of 18 years of age. No. In Alabama, it is required that anyone who is 12 years and older and is operating a boat on Alabama state waters are required to take a boating course. 2018 20 years old If you operate any type of motorized vessel on California waterways (including powered sailboats/paddlecraft), you will be required to pass an approved boating safety examination and carry a lifetime California Boater Card. From the age 12-14, a boater may only have a learner license only. Each state has unique boating education requirements, and the boating rules, laws and regulations vary from state to state for obtaining a boat license or safety certification. 16 years of age and older Therefore, you are required to apply for … © Copyright 2019, USA | California Boater Card |, January 1, 2018 – Persons 20 years of age or younger, January 1, 2019 – Persons 25 years of age or younger, January 1, 2020 – Persons 35 years of age or younger, January 1, 2021 – Persons 40 years of age or younger, January 1, 2022 – Persons 45 years of age or younger, January 1, 2023 – Persons 50 years of age or younger, January 1, 2024 – Persons 60 years of age or younger, January 1, 2025 – All persons regardless of age. California doesn't require you to have a boater license in order to operate a boat. They will be required to operate a boat only when a licensed driver over 21 is accompanying them. The California Boater Card shows that its holder has successfully taken and passed a NASBLA/state-approved boater safety education examination. 2019: 25 or younger. Additionally, they must have […] Other, please specify. California Division of Boating and Waterways 1-888-326-2822 pubinfo@parks.ca.gov. For example, PWC account for 13% of registered vessels, but 17% of all reported boating accidents in 2015 involved PWCs. For more information about the California Boater Card phase-in, please visit www.CaliforniaBoaterCard.com. Authority: Harbors and Navigation Code, Chap. In California, you do not need a license to drive a boat. Take note: beginning January 1, 2018, boaters 20 years of age and younger are the first age group that must carry a California Boater Card when on state waterways. For additional assistance with replacing your boat registration, call the California DMV at (800) 777-0133. Since January 1, 2018, people wishing to operate a motorized vessel on state waters need to carry the California Boat Card.The Card will be phased in over 8 years, depending on your age. The CBC requirement will be phased in over 8 years. Anyone who is younger than 12 may not operate a boat whatsoever. The ABCs of California Boating is based upon the California Harbors and Navigation Code, Vehicle Code, Penal Code, and California Code of ... 2025 All persons regardless of age 1 California BOATER CARD. Qualifications to Operate a Boat. These courses also meet the California Boater Card boating safety education requirement. … The approved list of courses may change dependent on an organization maintaining their NASBLA approval. PWC Operation: A person under that age of 16 may not operate a personal watercraft (PWC) of more than 15 horsepower unless they are between the ages of 12-15 and are supervised by a person on board who is at least 18 years of age. Any person, who allows an unsupervised person under the age of 16 to operate, is guilty of an infraction. Courses in this list are approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, as well as the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). 7601-7623. The California Boater Card is … California boating law requires boaters to obtain and carry a California Boater Card (CBC) while operating a recreational motorized vessel on California waterways. 700-740; California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sec. By visiting resources like Boa… A good resource for state-by-state information is the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) which has a webpage with the basic training requirements for each state. Boat safety courses are an excellent investment of time and money, regardless of your state's boating law. All boaters in California between 12 and 15 years of age require adult supervision (18 years of age or older) to operate any motor powered vessel greater than 15 horsepower, including personal watercraft. If you operate a motorized vessel on California waterways you may be required to have a California Boater Card. Beginning July 1, 2016, all PWC operators age 14 and older and all motorboat operators regardless of age need to take a boating safety course. Find boating age information for each state, what age can you get your boat license, boating license requirement . Sail-powered boat/vessel that is over eight feet long. California Law requires those operating a vessel of 15 hp or more, be 16 years of age and carry his/her California Boater Card. The lifetime card fee is $10. 2022: 45 or younger January 1, 2020 – Persons 35 years of age or younger. If you operate a motorized vessel on California waterways you will be required to have a California Boater Card. California Boat License Requirements While the state’s mandatory boating license age does not currently include all applicants, boaters must be at least 16 years old to apply. California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 678.11 (b) contains the following phase-in schedule based on operator age: January 1, 2018 – Persons 20 years of age or younger. Boating Under the … What you need is a California Boater Card. By 2025, all boaters will be required to have completed such a course. Licenses or tags purchased prior to or during a suspension are not refundable. ... Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho. Older courses may not include recent state or national changes to navigation law. 5, Art. 2, Sec. The California Boater Card proves that you have taken an approved Boating Safety Course. January 1, 2019 – Persons 25 years of age or younger. By 2025, boaters of all ages will require a California Boater Card. The lost card replacement fee is $5. For further information contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Law Enforcement Division at 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or (916) 653-4094. *California age restrictions for operating a motorized vessel: According to California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 658.5, NO person under 16 years of age may operate a boat with a motor of more than 15 horsepower, except for a sailboat that does not exceed 30 feet in length or a dinghy used directly between a moored boat and the shore (or between two moored boats). The boating license age for boat drivers varies significantly from state to state. Many marine insurance providers will honor a NASBLA approved course to reduce their clients' premiums. Currently all boaters up to 35 years of age require a California Boater Card. The requirements are different from neighboring states. Starting Jan. 1, anybody age 20 or younger must pass a safety test to get the card and operate a boat… Does your state require mandatory boat operator licensing? Persons 12 to 15 years of age may operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 hp or more, including PWCs, if they are supervised on board by a person at least 18 years of age and in poss… Of those PWC accidents, the majority (59%) involved a collision with another vessel or fixed object. DBW began issuing the California Boater Card on Dec. 1, 2017. CA Boating License Requirement Age and Operator Restrictions California law requires a person to be 16 years of age or older and in possession of his/her California Boater Card to legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 hp or more, including personal watercraft (PWCs). The law allows children 12-15 years of age to operate boats with a motor of more than 15 horsepower or sailboats over 30 feet if supervised on board by an adult at least 18 years of age who is in possession of a California Boater Card as required by California law. Please ensure your e-mail address is correct. As of January 1, 2018, a new law went into effect that requires boaters to carry a lifetime card that signifies they are qualified to operate a boat. Minimum Ages for Non-PWC Vessels In addition to the boater-safety course requirement, California boating laws require boaters born after January 1, 1998, and operating a boat with a 10hp or greater engine to obtain a boating safety certificate. If you buy a new boat and are a first-time boat owner, your marine dealer may be able to give you information on how to get a boating license in your state. Mandatory Boat Operator Licensing. To obtain this card, you must pass an approved boating safety examination. Those 12 to 15 years old may operate a vessel of 15 hp or more (including PWCs) if on board supervision is 18 years of age and in possession of a California Boater Card. California boating accident statistics paint a picture of PWC use and misuse. 2020: 35 or younger. If you bought your boat/vessel from an out-of-state seller, or if you recently moved to California, you need to register your boat/vessel with DMV within 120 days of bringing it into the state. January 1, 2018: Persons 20 years of age or younger; January 1, 2019: Persons 25 years of age or younger You should receive your official boater card by mail within 60 days. The California Boater Card is proof that the holder has successfully taken and passed a NASBLA/state-approved boater safety exam. Your temporary boater card will be mailed to the address you provide. 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