What Is the Minimum Age to Get a Georgia Boating License?
The minimum age to get a Georgia boating license (also called a Georgia Boater Education Card) is 12 to operate a motorized vessel or PWC independently. Georgia also ties the education requirement to your birth date: anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, must have completed a DNR-approved boating safety course to operate any motorized vessel on Georgia waters.
Operators under 12 may operate vessels under 16 feet in length powered by a motor of 30 horsepower or less only when accompanied by a competent adult.
Keep reading to learn the minimum age requirements, who needs a card, and how to get one.
What Is the Minimum Age to Operate a Boat in Georgia?
Georgia law divides boat operators into three age categories, each with different rules.
No one under 12 may operate any vessel 16 feet or longer or any vessel powered by a motor of more than 30 horsepower. Children under 12 may operate a vessel under 16 feet powered by a motor of 30 horsepower or less only when accompanied by a competent adult (a person 18 or older who is carrying proper identification and is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs).
Boaters ages 12 through 15 may operate any vessel under 16 feet in length, including a PWC, if they have passed a DNR-approved boating education course OR are accompanied by a competent adult. Additionally, operators ages 12 through 15 may not operate any vessel 16 feet or longer under any circumstances.
Operators 16 and older may operate any boat on Georgia waters with proper identification onboard. If born on or after January 1, 1998, they must also have completed an approved boating education course and carry their Georgia Boater Education Card.
Who Needs a Georgia Boating License?
Do you need a boating license in Georgia this season? Anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, who operates any motorized vessel on Georgia waters must have completed a Georgia Department of Natural Resources–approved boating education course and carry a Georgia Boater Education Card on the vessel at all times.
This requirement (known as the Kile Glover Boating Education Law) applies to all motorized vessel types, including PWCs. Georgia also offers the option to have a boater endorsement (a small anchor symbol) added to your Georgia driver's license or state ID through the Department of Driver Services, so you no longer need to carry a separate card.
For a full overview of Georgia's boating laws and regulations, visit the Boat-Ed Georgia boating law page.
Georgia Boating Age Requirements by Vessel Type
Georgia's boating regulations set age-based requirements that vary by vessel size and horsepower. The table below breaks down who can operate what and under what conditions.
Requirements by Age and Vessel Type (Georgia Boating) | |||
| Operator Age | Vessel Type | Can Operate? | Conditions |
| Under 12 | Vessel under 16 ft (non-motorized or 30 HP or less) | Yes | Must be accompanied by a competent adult (18+) |
| Under 12 | Any vessel 16 ft or longer, or any vessel over 30 HP | No | Not permitted under any circumstances |
| 12–15 | Any vessel under 16 ft, including PWC | Yes | Must have a DNR-approved boating education card or be accompanied by a competent adult |
| 12–15 | Any vessel 16 ft or longer | No | Not permitted under any circumstances |
| 16+ (born before 1/1/1998) | Any vessel | Yes | Must carry proper photo ID onboard |
| 16+ (born on or after 1/1/1998) | Any vessel | Yes | Must carry proper photo ID and Georgia Boater Education Card onboard |
Exemptions from the Georgia Boating Education Requirement
Certain operators are exempt from the Georgia Boater Education Card requirement. The table below summarizes the most common exemptions.
Georgia Boating Education Exemptions | |
| Exemption | Details |
| Born before 1/1/1998 | Operators born before January 1, 1998, are not required to hold a card |
| USCG license holders | Persons licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as master of a vessel |
| Out-of-state visitors | Non-residents who have proof of completing a NASBLA-approved boating education course from another state |
| Private lakes and ponds | Operators boating on private lakes or ponds |
| Non-motorized vessels | Operators of kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and other non-motorized watercraft |
How to Get Your Georgia Boater Education Card
Follow these steps to get your boating license in Georgia.
- Meet the minimum age requirement. You must be at least 12 years old to independently operate a motorized vessel in Georgia. Children under 12 may only operate vessels under 16 feet with a motor of 30 HP or less when accompanied by a competent adult.
- Obtain your Georgia DNR Customer ID Number. Before enrolling, visit gooutdoorsgeorgia.com to locate your existing Customer ID Number or create a new one. You will need this to complete the course.
- Complete an approved boating safety course. Enroll in a Georgia DNR–approved course, such as the Boat-Ed Georgia course. The course is available online and can be completed at your own pace on any device. You must score at least 80% on the final exam to pass.
- Pass the final exam. You must pass the state-required exam after completing the boater safety course to earn your Georgia Boater Education Card.
- Receive your card. After passing, you can print a temporary certificate to use on the water right away. Your permanent Georgia Boater Education Card will arrive by mail within a few weeks and is valid for life. You may also have a boater endorsement added to your Georgia driver's license or state ID through the Department of Driver Services.
- Carry your card on the water. Georgia law requires you to have your Boater Education Card on the vessel and available for inspection anytime you operate a motorized vessel and are required to hold one.
Does Georgia Accept Out-of-State Boating Cards?
Yes. Non-residents who have proof of completing a NASBLA-approved boating education course from another state are exempt from Georgia's education requirement. You must carry proof of your out-of-state course completion on the vessel while operating on Georgia waters.
Georgia recognizes NASBLA-approved certificates from all states and provinces, as well as Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Cards (PCOC). If your home state does not have a boating education requirement or you do not hold a valid certificate, you must comply with Georgia's requirements before operating on state waters.
Start Your Georgia Boater Safety Course Today
Getting your Georgia Boater Education Card is straightforward. The Boat-Ed Georgia course is approved by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division and is available entirely online on any device at your own pace.
After passing the final exam, you can print a temporary certificate and get on the water right away.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the minimum age to get a boating license in Georgia?
A: The minimum age to independently operate a motorized vessel in Georgia is 12. Boaters ages 12 through 15 may operate vessels under 16 feet in length, including PWCs, with a DNR-approved boating education card or while accompanied by a competent adult. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, must also hold a Georgia Boater Education Card regardless of age.
Q: What is the minimum age to operate a boat in Georgia?
A: Children under 12 may operate a vessel under 16 feet powered by a motor of 30 horsepower or less only when accompanied by a competent adult who is at least 18. No one under 12 may operate a vessel 16 feet or longer or any vessel powered by more than 30 horsepower under any circumstances. Independent operation requires being at least 12 years old.
Q: What is the minimum age to operate a Jet Ski in Georgia?
A: The minimum age to operate a personal watercraft (PWC), including Jet Skis and WaveRunners, in Georgia is 12. Operators ages 12 through 15 may operate a PWC only if they hold a DNR-approved boating education card or are accompanied by a competent adult who is at least 18. Operators 16 and older may operate a PWC with proper identification onboard, plus a boating education card if born on or after January 1, 1998.
Q: Can a child under 12 operate a boat in Georgia?
A: Yes, with strict restrictions. Children under 12 may operate a vessel under 16 feet in length that is non-motorized or powered by a motor of 30 horsepower or less, but only when accompanied by a competent adult (a person 18 or older carrying proper ID who is not under the influence). Children under 12 may not operate any vessel 16 feet or longer or any vessel with a motor of more than 30 horsepower.
Q: What is the Kile Glover Boating Education Law?
A: The Kile Glover Boating Education Law is Georgia's mandatory boating education law, effective July 1, 2014. Named after Kile Glover, an 8-year-old boy who died in a boating accident on Lake Lanier in 2012, the law requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, to complete a DNR-approved boating safety course and carry a Georgia Boater Education Card before operating any motorized vessel on Georgia waters.
Q: Do I need a Georgia Boater Education Card if I already have one from another state?
A: Non-residents who have proof of completing a NASBLA-approved boating education course from another state are exempt from Georgia's education requirement. You must carry proof of completion on the vessel while boating on Georgia waters.
Q: How much does the Georgia boating safety course cost?
A: Course fees across approved providers generally range from $30 to $80. The Boat-Ed course is $54.95.
Q: Does the Georgia Boater Education Card expire?
A: No. The Georgia Boater Education Card is valid for life once issued. You do not need to renew it or retake the course.
Q: Is the Georgia Boater Education Card the same as a boating license?
A: Georgia does not issue a traditional boating license. The Boater Education Card serves the same purpose. It's proof that you have completed a DNR-approved boating safety course and are authorized to operate a motorized vessel on Georgia waterways. Georgia also offers the option to have a boater endorsement added to your driver's license or state ID through the Department of Driver Services.
