Florida Boating Regulations and Laws

The Florida Boating Safety Education I.D. Card (commonly known as a Florida boating license) is proof that a boater has successfully completed a boating safety course.

Florida law requires that persons born on or after January 1, 1988, complete a NASBLA-approved boater education course prior to operating a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more. The Boat Ed Florida course meets these requirements and is the same course taught in Florida classrooms. The law requires that persons affected by this legislation have in their possession a Boating Safety Education I.D. Card issued by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and photographic I.D. while operating a vessel.

Even if not required by law to get the Florida boating license, many boaters take the boat safety course in order to save on their PWC or boat insurance.

Do your part to make boating in Florida a safe, enjoyable pastime! Become an educated, responsible boater by completing the Boat Ed Florida course and practice what you learn.

How do I learn about the legal requirements of boating in Florida?

Laws and regulations concerning operating a personal watercraft or vessel, required equipment, vessel registration and much more can be found in the course materials or on the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission website.

How do I take a safe boating exam and get my boater education card?

• Internet: You can study over the Internet, then take the Florida online boating exam. Once you pass, you can instantly print your Temporary Boater Education Certificate, which is valid for 90 days. The official Boating Safety Education I.D. Card issued by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is mailed to your home within 2-3 weeks.
• Classroom: Share the learning experience with other boaters and a qualified instructor. Call 850- 488-5600 or log onto the FWC website to locate the next safe boating classroom course in your area. Those required to take the approved Florida violator course must do so at www.boat-ed.com/FloridaViolator.
• At Home: Study at home with the How to Boat Smart —Florida manual. Then take the Certification Exam at home and mail it to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission for grading and certification. Pick up a boater education manual at your local tax collector’s office.

Where can I get the boater safety education course material?

You’re at the right place, because the Boat Ed Florida online safe boating course is the official course chosen by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. All the required safe boating course material to get your Boating Safety Education I.D. Card is available online. Please visit our Florida safe boating course introductory page to find out about the boater exam process.

Where can I get more information about the Florida Boating Safety Education I.D. Card?

• Read Frequently Asked Questions about the Florida boater’s license;
• Contact the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission;
• Contact Boat Ed, and we’ll be glad to answer any of your questions about the Florida boater’s license or boating license requirements in other states.

Who needs a Florida boat license, and what can they operate once they get their Boating Safety Education I.D. card?

To operate a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater (including PWCs), a person who was born on or after January 1, 1988, must have completed a boater education course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) or passed an approved equivalency exam.

These operators are exempt from the boater education requirement:

• Persons licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel
• Persons operating on a private lake or pond
• Operators who are accompanied on board by a person who is exempt from the education requirement or by a person who is at least 18 years old, possesses the required identification cards, and is attendant to the operation of the vessel and responsible for any violation that occurs
• Persons operating a vessel within 90 days after purchase who have a bill of sale on board and available for inspection

No one under 14 years of age may operate any PWC on Florida waters at any time, even if such person possesses a Boating Safety Education ID Card.

Florida Law Requires Classroom Course for Violators

Florida Law (327.731, F. S.) requires that anyone convicted of:

• A criminal boating violation or...
• A non-criminal boating infraction that resulted in a boating accident or...
• Two non-criminal boating safety infractions within a twelve month period...

...must complete the following requirements:

• Take a NASBLA/State of Florida approved boating safety education course. This course must be completed following the date of the violation which triggered the education requirement. Proof of completion must be filed with the FWC's Records Section.
• Take a FWC-approved course for violators. This is a four-hour course that is available online. Unlike the boating safety education course requirement, there is only one approved violator course and it is available at: www.boat-ed.com/FloridaViolator. (A fee is required to take this course.)

Call 1-800-336-BOAT or visit the FWC’s website to find courses that meet these requirements.