Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Who May Operate a Vessel
The Roberson/Archer Act of 1994 requires that every person who
operates a motorized vessel (including PWCs) on the waters of Alabama
must first obtain an Alabama boater safety certification. This
requirement does not apply to operators of sailboats, rowboats,
or canoes.
Age To Operate Legally on Alabama Waters
- No one under the age of 12 years may operate any motorized
vessel (including PWCs) under any circumstances.
- Persons under the age of 12 years are not eligible for Alabama
boater safety certification.
Boater Safety Certification Requirements for Alabama Residents
- If you are under 12 years of age: You may not obtain
your Alabama boater safety certification, and you may not operate
a vessel under any circumstances.
- If you are 12 or 13 years of age: You may
obtain your Alabama boater safety certification. After obtaining
the certification, you may operate a vessel legally only
if supervised on board by a person who:
- Is at least 21 years of age and ...
- Carries a valid proof of his or her Alabama boater safety
certification and ...
- Is in position to take immediate physical control of the
vessel.
- If you are 14 years of age or older: After
obtaining Alabama boater safety certification, you may operate
a vessel without supervision legally.
Boater Safety Certification Requirements for Residents of Other
States
- If you are under 12 years of age: You may not obtain
your Alabama boater safety certification, and you may not operate
a vessel under any circumstances.
- If you are 12 or 13 years of age: You may
operate a vessel on Alabama waters only if supervised
on board by a person who:
- Is at least 21 years of age and ...
- Carries a valid proof of his or her Alabama boater safety
certification (unless the supervising person is also a non-resident
in which case he or she is not required to have Alabama boater
safety certification) and ...
- Is in position to take immediate physical control of the
vessel.
- If you are 14 years of age or older: You may
operate a motorized vessel legally on Alabama waters for up to
45 days per calendar year without supervision. After 45 days,
you must have a valid proof of boater safety certification (either
Alabama non-resident certification or certification from your
home state).
Other Facts About Boater Safety Certification
If you are 12 years old or older, you may obtain boater safety
certification by fulfilling any one of the conditions below.
- Show a valid course certificate obtained by passing a boating
safety course:
- Offered by U.S. Power Squadrons or by U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary or ...
- Approved by the Alabama Marine Police Division.
- Pass a certification examination administered by the Alabama
Department of Public Safety Driver's License Division.
- Show a valid U.S. Coast Guard Motorboat Operator's License.
- Show proof that you were 40 years old or older as of April
28, 1994.
If you are required to have boater safety certification, you must
carry proof of your Alabama boater safety certification on board
when operating a power-driven vessel and make it available upon
request to any person with law enforcement authority.
Temporary exemptions exist for boater safety certification:
- A new owner of a vessel may operate without boater certification
for 30 days from the date of sale providing the vessel is registered
in his or her name and a bill of sale is on board naming
him or her as the purchaser.
- A person may operate a rented vessel without boater safety
certification if:
- He or she has been instructed in safe and proper operation
of the vessel by the rental business and ...
- He or she is not currently under suspension or revocation
of any boater certification or vessel operation privilege.
Certification may be cancelled, suspended, or revoked if you operate a vessel
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, operate in a reckless
or careless manner, or on points.
How To Obtain Boater Safety Certification
To obtain Alabama boater safety certification, you must be 12
years of age or older and go to a Department of Public Safety Driver's
License Examining Office in your county of residence. There you
will fill out the application form, pay the Certification Application
Fee, and present your proof of certification of examination (course
completion certificate). You also must provide identification to
the license examiner. Identification may consist of, but is not
limited to, one of the following: birth certificate—original
or certified copy (required for juvenile); certified school record
(required for juvenile); marriage license; original Social Security
card (required for juvenile and non-residents); passport; military
identification; I-94; valid Alabama or out-of-state driver's license;
DD 214; or resident alien papers.
Your Alabama boater safety certification will appear as a "V" class
placed on your automobile driver's license. Or, if you do not have
an automobile driver's license, you will be issued a "Vessel
Only" license.
