Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

If you have kids born Jan 1 1998 & after age group, you've got 1 year to head this warning before letting them take your boat out.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Boat Registration and Safety Act is amended by changing Section 5-18 as follows:
(a) Beginning on January 1, 2016, no person born on or after January 1, 1998, unless exempted by subsection (i), shall operate a motorboat with over 10 horse power unless that person has a valid Boating Safety Certificate issued by the Department of Natural Resources or an entity or organization recognized and approved by the Department.

Read all about it here:
http://ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.as ... =&Session=

Same for California as well and it is time for that change. Will be phased in for different age groups at different years.

Wow Missouri did this many years ago, I can't honestly recall when but I know my younger sister got caught by this rule and so we all went with her when she turned like 14 or 15 and my whole family took the certification. I actually long ago(was a teenager when I took the course but had been driving boats since 12 years old since the law on that changed the year I turned 14 to 14), lost it and this post had me go look it up, but $15 for a replacement, guess not since I don't actually need to have it.

Its my understanding that in WV its 16 and must hold a valid drivers license. Its to limit wave runner accidents.

Yep, we passed that law last July in Ga. and the same age group must wear a PFD while in the boat, motor running or not. I think it's a good law.

In Virginia, this same law was passed about 5-6 years ago. It was phased in over several years. 2015 is the last year for boat operators over 50 years old to get certified. In 2016, all operators must have a license. The safety course has really cut down on boating accidents and even young PWC operators seem to act more responsibly.
Smith Mtn Lake used to be the most dangerous body of water in Virginia (including the Chesapeake Bay). Now we may have 4-5 accidents/year.

The Boat Operator's license in Alabama is actually a driver's license with an endorsement. Thankfully I automatically got the sticker without having to take the operator's test due to my age.

12 and 13 year old's get a learner's license and must be accompanied by a Vessel Licensed driver that is 21 years old or older. 14 year old's get a regular boat driver's license.

Since they required a Boat Driver's License and stopped all the kemakazee kiddies from running their daddy's 250 hp Sea Doo's, deaths on the water are down substantially.

Now if we could just keep the fishermen from running 70 mph in the dark.

In TX, its 13 for a PWC, Wish it required a course. I see a lot of idiots out on the water on PWCs and boats that have no idea. It has severely hampered my boating and fishing enthusiasm over the years to the point I spend less and less time on the water as I slip into my golden years where I should be enjoying such things more.