The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries requirements for online boating safety courses changed effective January 1, 2009 and the NEW Boat Virginia Online Course meets those requirements. The old Boat Virginia course and test does not meet those requirements and was discontinued on December 31, 2008.

• Take the NEW Boat Virginia Online Course!
• Or, you can order the Boat Virginia Video Course

The course material below remains as a resource for all who boat on Virginia's waters—particularly experienced boaters who need a refresher, but not a boater education certificate.

Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Enforcement

The boating laws of Virginia are enforced primarily by Conservation Police Officers employed by the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. These officers have full police powers and have the lawful right to stop and board your vessel at any time to check that you are complying with federal and state laws. The U.S. Coast Guard also has enforcement authority on federally controlled waters. Although this is sometimes a minor inconvenience, treat the officers courteously because proper enforcement of regulations makes the water safer for you as well as others.

State and federal officers have the authority to stop and board vessels in order to check for compliance with laws.