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 21 years of age or younger complete a NASBLA-approved boater education course prior to operating a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more. The How To Boat Smart—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 How To Boat Smart—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 Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating.

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

• Internet: You can take study over the Internet then take the Florida online boating exam. Once you pass, the official Boating Safety Education I.D. Card issued by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is mailed to your home.
• 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. Note that a classroom course is required for violators.
• 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 How to Boat Smart —Florida online safe boating course is the official course developed specifically for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. All the required safe boating course material to get your Boating Safety Education I.D. Card is available for free 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?

Florida's boating safety education requirements and laws about operating a boat or PWC are explained in detail on the Who May Operate a Vessel page.

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 enroll in, attend and successfully complete a classroom boating safety course and file proof of course completion to the FWC within 90 days of completion. Until this requirement is met, the violator’s privilege to operate a vessel in Florida is suspended. A violation of this is a second degree misdemeanor. This law requires attendance of a classroom course—correspondence or online course completion is not acceptable.