The Legal Requirements of Boating
Who May Operate a Boat and Who May Operate a PWC
Provided by:
 Free online boaters safety course and practice tests! Pay only $15.00 for the online boater education exam.
Who May Operate a Boat
Those less than 12 years of age:
• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) without restrictions
• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp only if they are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years of age
• May not legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp under any conditions.
Those 12 to 15 years of age:
• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp without restrictions
• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp only if they:
o Have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have on board their boating safety certificate or... o Are accompanied on board by a person at least 16 years of age.
Those 16 years of age or older:
• May operate any boat on the waters of Michigan. Note: See Who May Operate A PWC below.
Who May Operate a PWC
Those less than 12 years of age:
• No one under the age of 12 years may legally operate a PWC.
Those 12 and 13 years of age:
• A person who is 12 or more and less than 14 years of age may operate a PWC only if:
o He or she obtained a boating safety certificate prior to January 1, 1999, or...
o All of the following conditions are satisfied:
1. The person is accompanied solely by his or her parent or legal guardian.
2. Both the person and the parent or legal guardian have obtained a boating safety certificate.
3. The PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch and the parent or legal guardian has the lanyard attached to his or her person, clothing or PFD.
4. The PWC is designed to carry at least two persons.
Those 14 years of age or older:
• A person born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC only if he or she has obtained a boating safety certificate.
• Those born December 31, 1978, or earlier may operate a PWC without restrictions.
If you are 16 or older, this online safe boating course can be taken in place of the classroom course as preparation for the proctored final exam. Please be sure you are familiar with Michigan boater education law concerning age and education requirements for vessel operators of all ages.
 The boat safety course and Practice Tests are free! Pay only $15 for the online boater education exam which serves as proof of home study.
 Have fun learning with interactive animations, like this movie about operating a personal watercraft.
 When you're ready, takethe official Michigan boating safety Pre-Certification Exam for only $15.
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