It’s the Law!

An Alabama boater safety certification is required for all persons 12 years of age and older who operate a motorized vessel on Alabama waters. The boating license must be in the operator’s possession at all times while on the water.

Exemptions

The certification is not required for operators who:

• have a valid U.S. Coast Guard Motorboat Operator's License, or…
• submit a valid certificate of successful completion of an Alabama Marine Police Division-approved safe boating course, or…
• were born before April 28, 1954.

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

You Must Carry the Card

Vessel operators who are required to have a Boater Education Card must carry the card on board the vessel and have it available for inspection by an enforcement officer.

Reciprocity

All states that have mandatory boater education requirements will accept the Alabama Boater Education Card. Likewise, Alabama will accept boating education cards that are issued by states that meet NASBLA requirements.

Quick Links

Complete the Course

Step One: Register for the course, study the free online course material, and pass the Alabama boating license final exam. (If you don’t pass on the first try, don’t worry. Keep taking the exam for free until you pass.)

Wait for Certificate

Step Two: After passing and paying the $29.50 course fee, you’ll receive your official Alabama Boating Course Certificate of Completion by mail within 2–3 weeks.

Go to DPS, Get the “V”

Step Three: go to the Department of Public Safety Driver’s License Examining Office in their county of residence and present the Boating Course Certificate of Completion and have the “V” endorsement placed your driver’s license. (If you don’t have an automobile driver’s license, a “Vessel Only” license will be issued.) You’ll pay an additional one-time application fee of $5, plus a $23.50 issuance fee for the license.

If your card was lost, stolen, destroyed, or if your legal name has been changed, you may apply for a replacement card for a $5 fee.

How to Apply
Send a written request* and your $5 fee (payable by cash, certified check or money order) to:

Alabama Marine Police Division
64 North Union Street
Room 4383
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 242-3683 or 1-800-272-7930

*In the written request please include:

• Name
• Social Security Number or birthdate
• Date of class (if known; approximate year of class if date not known)
• Location of class
• Your mailing address

You may contact Katrina Fortson with the Alabama Marine Police at katrina.fortson@dcnr.alabama.gov, (334) 353-7545 or 1-800-272-7930 or Lisa Miles at lisa.miles@dcnr.alabama.gov (334) 242-3683 or 1-800-272-7930 with questions on certificates or to verify information on certification database.