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 Legally Operate 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 notorized 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 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 and 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.

Remember—As the owner of a vessel, it is illegal for you to knowingly allow operation of your vessel by others in violation of the laws of Alabama. This includes allowing operation of your vessel by children under the age of 12 years or by others not holding valid boater certification.