{"id":126397,"date":"2024-08-28T20:50:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T20:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/?p=126397"},"modified":"2024-10-03T19:17:41","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T19:17:41","slug":"do-you-need-a-license-to-drive-a-boat-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/do-you-need-a-license-to-drive-a-boat-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"California Boater Card: Do You Need a License to Drive a Boat?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Whether you call it a boating &#8220;license&#8221; or boating &#8220;card,&#8221; do you need one to drive a boat in California? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most states require boat operators to take a boating education course and pass an exam to get a license of some sort showing they understand how to be safe on the water. California is one of those states. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, today, we look at the California Boater Card, why you need one to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/boating-in-california\/\">drive a boat in California<\/a>, and how to get it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"http:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/06\/DSC_4989.jpg\" alt=\"A woman drives a boat at dusk, get a California Boater Card concept. \" class=\"wp-image-126398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/06\/DSC_4989.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/06\/DSC_4989-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Do You Need a License to Drive a Boat in California?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, depending on your age. If you are 35 years of age or younger, you need a <a href=\"https:\/\/californiaboatercard.com\/about-the-card\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California Boater Card<\/a> if you operate a motorized vessel in California.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Boater Card (also called a boat license) requirements started phasing in about eight years ago. However, by January 1st, 2025, all boat operators in California, regardless of age, will be required to get certified.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Boater Card is required to legally operate any motorized boat, including personal watercraft (or PWCs) such as a jet ski or Sea-Doo. Once obtained, the card is good for life and does not need to be renewed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>How Do I Get the Card?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can get your California Boater Card <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/us\/california\/\">online through BOATsmart<\/a><span style=\"margin: 0px;padding: 0px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/us\/california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">!<\/a><\/span>\u00a0The course takes about three hours to complete and is animated, narrated, and illustrated, making it perfect for boaters of all ages.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve completed the State-approved online course and passed the final exam, you\u2019ll be issued a certificate of completion. The certificate can be submitted to the California Division of Boating and Waterways, who will issue your temporary and permanent cards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit the California Boater Card website for more information on <a href=\"https:\/\/californiaboatercard.com\/applynow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to apply<\/a> for a permanent card with the California Division of Boating and Waterways.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>How Old Do I Need to Be to Get the California Boater Card?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no minimum age to take the BOATsmart! California course and obtain your Boater Card. However, restrictions apply to boat operators under 16.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"737\" src=\"http:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/Boating-With-Kids-1024x737.jpg\" alt=\"Kids and a woman sit at the back of a boat while wearing life jackets. \" class=\"wp-image-124591\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/Boating-With-Kids-1024x737.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/Boating-With-Kids-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/Boating-With-Kids-768x553.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/Boating-With-Kids.jpg 1136w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3>What <strong>Are The Age Restrictions for Driving a Boat?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In California, various restrictions apply to boat operators who are less than 16 years of age.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>12-15 years of age:\u00a0<\/strong>Boat operators who are 12-15 years of age must be under the supervision of an adult who is 18 years of age or older to operate a motorized boat powered by a motor of more than 15 hp, including personal watercraft.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"margin: 0px;padding: 0px\"><strong>16 years of age or older:<\/strong>\u00a0Operators who are 16 years of age or older may operate a motorized boat without supervision<\/span> as long as they have obtained their California Boater Card or are exempt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember: the priority is safety, not ruining a young boater&#8217;s fun! Encourage kids to learn best practices for safety when driving a boat, including making sure they don&#8217;t take it out on the water without life jackets for everyone on board, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/boating-equipment-refresher-be-prepared-for-a-safe-boating-trip\/\">proper safety equipment<\/a>, and an adult to supervise if under the age of 15. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Do I Need a License to Rent a Boat in California?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No. Operators renting a boat in California are not required to obtain a Boater Card \u2014 however, it is highly recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most boating accidents occur because operators don\u2019t have the proper knowledge and training to operate safely. It\u2019s unlikely that a rental company will teach you the ins and outs of various rescue procedures or how to respond in a boating emergency. So get certified, and stay safe on the water.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"http:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/KE_Boat_FL_2024-500-crop-1024x684.jpeg\" alt=\"A smiling woman on a boat holds a boater education card, California boater card concept. \" class=\"wp-image-127149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/KE_Boat_FL_2024-500-crop-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/KE_Boat_FL_2024-500-crop-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/KE_Boat_FL_2024-500-crop-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/KE_Boat_FL_2024-500-crop-1536x1026.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/KE_Boat_FL_2024-500-crop-1140x761.jpeg 1140w, https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/KE_Boat_FL_2024-500-crop.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Get Your Boater Education Card With BOATsmart! and Stay Safe On the Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By January 2025, every boat operator needs to have a California Boater Card. So, if you don&#8217;t have yours yet, it&#8217;s an excellent time to get it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let BOATsmart! help. Take our fun and engaging <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/us\/california\/\">online boater education course<\/a>, pass your exam, then get your card. It&#8217;s that easy to learn what you need to know to stay safe on the water every season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Originally published June 2020. Content most recently reviewed and updated for relevancy and accuracy October 3, 2024. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Operators of motorized vessels in California need a California Boater Card, if they are 35 years of age or younger. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":37185,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[663],"tags":[910,716,911],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v14.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>California Boater Card: Do you need a boat license in California?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Everything you need to know about the California Boater Card. 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