It's the Law:
Boater Safety Certification
Age and Boater Certification Requirements for Operators
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.
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.
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 legally 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).
Persons Exempt from Certification
Some persons may operate a motorized vessel on Alabama waters without first obtaining Alabama boater safety certification.
- Operators of commercial fishing vessels or who are engaged in other valid commercial activity are not required to obtain boater safety certification.
- Persons taking test drives of vessels for sale and accompanied by a licensed vessel dealer are not required to obtain boater safety certification.
- 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.
- 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.
- Every new resident of the State of Alabama may operate without boater safety certification for a period of 30 days after establishing residence in this state.
Persons Who May Not Be Issued Certification
Alabama boater safety certification may not be issued to:
- Persons under the age of 12 years
- Persons whose vessel operating right or privilege is suspended or revoked
- Persons who are habitual abusers of alcohol or drugs
- Persons afflicted with or suffering from a physical or mental disability which, in the opinion of the Director of Public Safety or examining officer, will prevent the person from exercising reasonable and ordinary control over a vessel
How To Obtain Boater Certification
If you are 12 years of age or older, you may obtain Alabama boater safety certification by doing the following:
- Go to a Department of Public Safety Driver’s License Examining Office in your county of residence.
- Fill out the application form and pay the Certification Application Fee.
- Receive a certification of examination by passing a written exam based on material from this manual—questions on navigation rules, laws, safety equipment, and the waterways marking system. or ...
Receive a certification of examination exemption by presenting any one of the following:
- A valid course completion certificate obtained by passing a boating safety course:
- Offered by the U.S. Power Squadrons or by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or ...
- Approved by the Alabama Marine Police Division
- A valid U.S. Coast Guard Motorboat Operator’s License
- Proof that you were 40 years old or older as of April 28, 1994
- Present your certification of examination or certification of examination exemption to the Department of Public Safety Driver’s License Examining Office in your county of residence. 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.
- Pay the boater safety certification fee if applying other than at the time of your automobile driver’s license, learner’s license, or non-driver I.D. renewal.
- 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. This is proof of your certification.
