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This card is not a boating license, it is a certification that the person named on the card has successfully completed the required boating safety course. The card does not expire.
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How often must you renew your Florida boater education card quizlet?

The Florida Boater Education Temporary Certificate is good for 12 months and must be carried with a photo ID. When crossing paths the give way vessel is responsible to Slow Down And Change Course.
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How often do you renew boat certificate in Florida?

I was born on or after Jan.1, 1988, and want to operate a boat in Florida. Do I need a license? In order to operate a motorboat of ten (10) horsepower or greater, Florida law requires anyone who was born on or after Jan.1, 1988 to successfully complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card issued by the FWC.

• Florida does not have a “boating license.” The Boating Safety Education Identification Card is proof of successful completion of the educational requirements and is valid for life.
• I’ve heard there were some changes in the law regarding the requirements to operate a boat in Florida.
• What were the changes? Effective Jan.1, 2010, boat operators who were born on or after Jan.1, 1988, must have a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card to operate a motorboat with 10 horsepower or more.

The requirement to take an approved boating safety course and to obtain an FWC-issued identification card did not change, but the age threshold for the educational requirements is now be based on whether or not you were born on or after Jan.1, 1988.

The new law also created an exemption from the educational requirements for an operator if he or she is operating a vessel within 90 days after the purchase of that vessel and has available for inspection aboard that vessel a bill of sale meeting all the requirements as established in Chapter 328.46(1), Florida Statutes.

Are some people who were born on or after Jan.1, 1988 exempt from these boating safety educational requirements? Yes, there are some exemptions. Below is a list of those exemptions.

A person licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel. A person operating on a private lake or pond. An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is least 18 years old and possesses the required Boating Safety Education Identification Card, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel. An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is exempt from the educational requirements, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel. A nonresident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state. A person is operating a vessel within 90 days after the purchase of that vessel and has available for inspection aboard that vessel a bill of sale meeting all the requirements as established in Chapter 328.46(1), Florida Statutes. A person operating a vessel within 90 days after completing an approved boating safety course, as required in Chapter 327.395(1), and has a photographic I.D. and a boater education course completion certificate showing proof of having completed the required boating safety education course. The course completion certificate must provide the student’s first and last name, date of birth, and the date the course was successfully completed. (Effective Oct.1, 2011.)

I will be visiting Florida from another state and I want to rent a personal watercraft. How will these boating safety educational requirements apply to me? As a nonresident, you must comply with the boating safety education requirements. However, if you have proof in your possession that you have completed a boater safety course or equivalency exam that meets or exceeds Florida’s requirements (usually in the form of a certificate or card), you would not need to have a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card.

In addition, you would also be exempt if you met any of the other conditions for exemptions listed in the previous question. I am an 18-year-old boater who just passed an approved online boating safety course and received a printed certificate of course completion. Do I still need to get a boating safety card? Yes.

In addition to the requirement to successfully complete an approved boating safety course, you must also have an FWC-issued Boating Safety Education Identification Card – along with a photo ID – in your possession to operate a motorboat of 10 horsepower or more.

1. Effective Oct.1, 2011, a course completion certificate for an approved course – along with a photo ID – can be used for up to 90 days from date of issue to operate a motorboat of 10 horsepower or more.
2. See the last frequently asked question for more details on requirements for certificate.) I am 26 years of age and will be visiting Florida for a few days, but I don’t have a Boating Safety Education Identification Card.

How can I rent a boat? If you are visiting from another state and you do not meet any of the conditions to be exempt from the boating safety education requirements, you can get a temporary certificate in order to rent a boat. These certificates are issued by vendors around the state.

The temporary certificate is valid for 90 days and is not intended to be a permanent replacement for the Boating Safety Education Identification Card. I received a temporary certificate from an FWC contractor. Can I send my Temporary Certificate to your office and exchange it for a Boating Safety Education Identification Card? No.

The Temporary Certificate is a certificate that allows an individual to temporarily meet Florida’s boating education requirements. It is not a substitute for a Boating Safety Education Identification Card and is only valid for 90 days from the date it is issued.

If I am required to have a boating safety ID card to operate my boat and I just completed an approved boating safety course, can I operate my boat while I am waiting to receive my card? Yes. If you are required to have an FWC-issued Boating Safety Education ID card in order to operate a boat and you have completed an approved boating safety course, the course completion certificate (along with a photo ID) can be used as proof of meeting the educational requirement.

To meet the legal requirement, the course completion certificate must have your first and last name, your date of birth and the date you successfully completed the course. You must have the certificate with you (along with a photo ID) while operating the boat.
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Do you have to renew your boaters license in Florida?

Florida Boating License FAQs – The boater education certificate in Florida is often called a “boating license.” While the certificate is often called a Florida boating license, the certification does not expire and does not need to be renewed.
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How long is the Florida boaters license course?

How long will it take to complete the course? – The Florida Boating Safety course is a timed course that includes at least five hours of education. You will need to complete a brief quiz at the end of each module and a final exam. You have up to 180 minutes to complete the final exam.
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How often must you renew in Florida?

StateofFlorida.com is not affiliated with, owned, or operated by the State of Florida and is not endorsed or approved by the State of Florida. Visit MyFlorida.com A Florida driver’s license typically expires eight years after the date it was issued. You can renew your license in person at a driver’s license service center, and you may even qualify to renew your license online.
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How often do you have to register a boat in Florida?

All motorized vessels operating on Florida’s public waterways must be titled and registered. Chapter 328, Florida Statutes, designates that FLHSMV is responsible for issuing vessel registrations and titles. Applications for titles and registrations must be filed at a county tax collector or license plate agent office,
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How long does a Florida boater education temporary certificate last?

The TC is valid for 90 days. The TC should be available for inspection by a law enforcement officer when operating a vessel in Florida, along with a photo ID.
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Does Florida vessel registration expire?

As an agent for The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Tax Collector is responsible for providing the necessary service and record keeping procedures used in processing vessel titles and registrations. All motorized vessels, commercial and private, must be registered, titled and issued a decal before they can be used in Florida waters.

• The decal must be affixed to the port side of the boat.
• Vessel registrations expire at midnight of the owners birthday.
• Vessel registration fees are based on the length of the boat.
• FWC: Boating-Safety education requirements change for 2010 Boating-safety education requirements change in Florida beginning January 1, 2010.

Boat operators who were born on or after Jan.1, 1988, must pass and approved boating-safety course and possess photographic identification and a boating-safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to legally operate a boat with a motor of 10 horsepower or more.

1. We want to encourage everyone, regardless of when they were born, to take an approved boating-safety education course, because all of us can learn something new, even if we have been boating all our lives,” said Capt.
2. Carol Keyser of FWC’s boating waterways section.
3. For some, it is now required to take the course.” There are a few exceptions.

For instance, a person born on or after Jan.1, 1988, who operates a boat within 90 days after purchasing it, does not need a boating-safety education identification card if a bill of sale, which meets the requirements of Florida law, is onboard. After the 90-day period ends, the boat operator needs to meet the educational requirements.
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Can I use Florida boating license in other states?

Wouldn’t it be awesome if your boater education card or boating license allowed you to boat in your home state as well as states you’re vacationing in? Good news! If you’ve successfully completed an official boating safety course such as boat-ed or ilearntoboat, your boater education card is welcome in every state that requires mandatory boater education. Plus, your boater education card will never expire, and it doesn’t need to be renewed.

1. That means when your plans call for vacationing in another state, a boater education card is your passport to operating a boat there.
2. For example, if you have a Virginia boating license and you’re planning to head over to Maryland for a fun weekend on the water, you’re ready to set sail.
3. That’s because the course at boat-ed.com is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. And one of the organization’s jobs is to maintain national boating education standards to make sure you’re learning the most important information to stay safe.

1. Remember when you’re operating a boat, make sure you carry your card with you.
2. In states where you must pass a boating safety course, you have to carry the boating certification card with you when you’re boating.
3. You’ll avoid a big hassle if you can present that card to the law enforcement officer if you’re stopped.

If you’re like most people, you’ve got a ton of other cards to keep track of so it’s easy to misplace your boater education card. No problem. Just head over to boat-ed.com and select your state. Once you’re at your state’s page, click on the link in the upper right corner that says “Lost Cards.” That’s where you’ll find your state’s step-by-step instructions for how to replace a lost card.
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How do I get a lifetime boating license in Florida?

How can I get my Florida boating license? – A. You can obtain your Florida Boating Safety Education I.D. Card in 3 easy steps:

1. Pay the one-time fee of $34.95 – free unlimited retries of the final exam
2. Study the Florida Boaters Safety Course, and pass the final exam
3. Print your Certificate of Completion, and receive your permanent Florida Boating Safety Education I.D. Card in the mail within 3-4 weeks

This official Florida boaters safety course is approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.Q.
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What year do you not need a boaters license Florida?

While Florida does not have a boating license, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 is required to either have successfully completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating education course or have passed an equivalent course or temporary certificate examination.

Additionally, they must have in their possession a boating education ID card and a photo identification card before operating a vessel with a motor of ten horsepower or more in Florida. Florida visitors must comply with the boating safety education requirements. If a non-resident can show proof of having successfully completed a boater safety course or equivalent exam that meets or exceeds Florida’s requirements (usually in the form of a certificate or card), a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card is not required.

Visitors wanting to rent a vessel while in Florida may obtain a temporary certificate. These certificates are issued by vendors around the state. Visit www.myfwc.com for a list of approved vendors. The temporary certificate is valid for 90 days and is not intended to be a permanent replacement for the Boating Safety Education Identification Card.
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Do you need a boating license in Florida for a jet ski?

Jet Ski Permit | Bonita Jet Ski & Parasail If you have a reservation for the Jet Ski tour you are required to show up with the boating safety certificate already completed. At registration (30 minutes prior to the reservation time) please show the completed course certificate from your phoneno need to print it out.

Anyone born on or after January 1st, 1988 is required by law to have a boating license permit to operate a personal watercraft in the state of Florida. But don’t worry! We provide a study guide and the State of Florida provides the temporary permits online. ($13.97 fee for a temporary license. Good for 90 days).

Come prepared! and save time!, download our and take the exam online now! *Out of state boating licenses are also accepted (no exam is required if NASBLA approved). : Jet Ski Permit | Bonita Jet Ski & Parasail
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Is the Florida boater education temporary certificate valid for 90 days from date of the exam and must be carried?

The following are the requirements to carry the Boating Safety Education ID Card in Florida.

Vessel operators who are required to have completed a boating education course or exam must carry on board:

Their Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card (plastic or electronic) issued by the FWC and. A photographic identification card.

These persons are exempt from carrying a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card on board:

Operators who have their course completion certificate showing successful completion of an FWC– and NASBLA–approved boating safety course and a photographic identification card. The certificate must give the operator’s first and last names, date of birth, and the date they passed the course. The course completion certificate:

Is valid for 90 days from the date the certificate was issued and Is not a permanent replacement for the Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card.

Persons licensed by the USCG as a master of a vessel. Persons operating on a private lake or pond. A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA–approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state. Operators who are accompanied on board by a person who is exempt from the education requirement or by a person who is at least 18 years old, possesses the required identification card, and is attendant to the operation of the vessel and responsible for any violation that occurs. Persons operating a vessel within 90 days after purchase who have a bill of sale on board and available for inspection.

Operators who have passed an FWC–approved temporary certification exam must carry the Florida Boater Education Temporary Certificate and a photographic identification card. The temporary certificate:

Is valid for 12 months from the date it is issued and. Is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for the Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card.

Operators required to have a Boating Safety ID Card must carry it and a photographic identification card on board.

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How many chapters are in the boating exam in Florida?

Chapters: 6 Chapters in total. Quizzes and/or Exams: The Temporary Boating Certification Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. You must score at least 76% on the exam to pass.
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How many years does Florida license expire?

General Information – Customers must renew their Florida driver license or ID card every eight years. The expiration date is listed on the credential. Florida driver license holders may renew their credential up to 18 months in advance of the expiration date and ID card holders may renew 12 months in advance of the expiration date.

If there is a change of address, Florida driver license or ID card holders have 30 days to update their address on the credential. If there is a name change, Florida driver license or ID card holders must update their name with the Social Security Administration prior to updating their name on the credential and they must present an original or certified court order of marriage certificate when applying to change the name on their driver license or ID card. If a driver license or ID card is lost or stolen. If a customer wishes to add or update a designation or other information listed on the credential. Important: Effective February 15, 2021, customers with Class E driver licenses that have been expired for more than one year will be required to complete the Class E knowledge exam and vision exam prior to obtaining a valid Class E driver license. The Class E knowledge exam may be completed up to one year before applying for a Class E driver license. If the period between completion of the Class E knowledge exam and application for a Class E driver license exceeds one year, retesting of the knowledge exam will be required prior to issuance.

For a list of fees to renew or replace a credential, please visit our fees page. For more information about obtaining a Florida driver license, please visit our driver license page.
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How long is a Florida license good for?

Driver License – A Florida Class E driver license must be renewed every eight years for customers 79 years old and younger. At age 80, driver licenses must be renewed every six years. Customers may be eligible to renew their Class E Florida driver license online.

Visit MyDMV Portal to see if you are eligible to renew online. Customers who are 80 years of age or older and are not eligible to renew their driver license online are required to pass a vision test. The test may be taken at a Florida driver license service center at no additional charge. Customers may also have a Florida-licensed medical doctor, osteopathic physician or an optometrist administer their vision test.

Once a customer passes the vision test, they or their doctor must submit the Mature Driver Vision Test form (HSMV 72119 S) which can be obtained here, If the vision test reveals medical conditions that result in a referral to an eye specialist, such as a Florida-licensed ophthalmologist or an optometrist, a customer will need to submit a completed Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Report of Eye Exam Form: HSMV Form 72010,
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What happens if you don’t renew your license in Florida?

Driving With an Expired Florida License – Driving with an expired Florida license is less serious than cruising around with a suspended license, but you won’t get off scot-free. The state does give drivers a little leeway by allowing up to six months after the expiration before it’s considered a violation.

Up to 60 days in county jailFines up to $500Up to 6 months probation

Don’t let it become a criminal violation
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Do Florida boating licenses expire?

Boating Safety ID Card Requirement The card does not expire. You can find information on how to obtain the card below.
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Can a non citizen register a boat in Florida?

Registering a boat is like registering a car. In Florida, all motorized boats used on Florida’s public waterways must be registered. There are few exemptions, such as U.S. Government owned boats; boats used strictly as lifeboats; and non-resident boats used for 90 days or less on Florida’s public waterways.

Other exemptions are non-motorized boats that are less than 16 feet; non-motorized kayaks, canoes, racing shells, or rowing skulls of any length; and boats used exclusively on private lakes or ponds. The Florida Certificate of Registration and Validation Decal to are issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

You have 30 days from the time you purchase a boat to obtain the registration. During that period, you must carry the purchase receipt with you when operating the boat. Registration is done in person or by mail by submitting the required information and fee to your county tax collector’s office.

1. On Marco Island, the tax collector’s office is located at 1040 Winterberry Drive.
2. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM.
3. You need a completed registration application, a manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO) or equivalent, a sales receipt showing you paid any required sales tax and a fee payment.

The MSO will be included with your boat’s papers if buying a new boat. That information will be included on the previous owner’s title if you are purchasing a used boat and transferring the title. The MSO includes the Hull Identification Number (HIN), similar to a car’s VIN, and the engine serial numbers.

You must keep the Certificate of Registration on board whenever you operate the boat. Displaying your registration and validation decal: You must display the registration numbers on the left and right sides of the bow (forward part) of your boat. These numbers must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise attached to the boat.

They must be maintained in legible condition. The numbers must read from left to right on both sides of the boat. Numbers must be at least three inches high in bold BLOCK lettering in a color that contrasts with the background color of your boat. Letters must be separated from the numbers by a hyphen or a space equal to one letter width, as displayed here: FL 1234 AB or FL-1234-AB.

The validation decal, from your registration, must be attached to the port (left) side of the boat within six inches of the registration numbers. Other important points to know: Boats must be registered and numbered within 30 days of purchase. The Certification of Registration is valid for one or two years.

Renewal period begins on the first day of the owner’s birth month. The owner of a registered boat must notify the county tax collector within 30 days of a change in address. The owner of a registered boat must notify the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 30 days if the boat is sold, stolen, lost, abandoned or destroyed.

1. Form HSMV 82050 must be submitted if you sell your boat.
2. The form is available at the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website www.flhsmv.gov,
3. If your boat has a current registration in another U.S.
4. State or territory, you may operate it in Florida for 90 days before you are required to register it here.

Larger recreational boats (five tons or over) have the option of being documented by the US Coast Guard. Documented boats operating on Florida waters must have a current boat registration from Florida or another state. To be documented a boat must be owned by an American citizen or an American corporation.

• The captain and officers must be American citizens also.
• Crew members do not have to be citizens.
• For more information about safe boating courses, contact Joe Riccio at 239-384-7416 or email [email protected],
• To schedule a free Vessel Safety Check contact John Moyer at 239-248-7078 or [email protected] or call the Coast Guard Auxiliary Station – Flotilla 95 at 239-394-5911.

Interested in joining Flotilla 95, USCG Auxiliary? Call Bob Shmihluk at 215-694-3305. Keith Wohltman retired to Marco Island from New Jersey, where he spent decades on the water. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to help make boating safer around Marco and the 10,000 Islands.
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Does Florida have an annual boat tax?

What is Taxable? All boats sold, delivered, used, or stored in Florida are subject to Florida’s sales and use tax, plus any applicable discretionary sales surtax, unless exempt. Florida boat dealers and brokers are required to collect tax from the purchaser at the time of sale or delivery.
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Is the Florida boater education temporary certificate valid for 90 days from the date of the exam?

The following are the requirements to carry the Boating Safety Education ID Card in Florida.

Vessel operators who are required to have completed a boating education course or exam must carry on board:

Their Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card (plastic or electronic) issued by the FWC and. A photographic identification card.

These persons are exempt from carrying a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card on board:

Operators who have their course completion certificate showing successful completion of an FWC– and NASBLA–approved boating safety course and a photographic identification card. The certificate must give the operator’s first and last names, date of birth, and the date they passed the course. The course completion certificate:

Is valid for 90 days from the date the certificate was issued and Is not a permanent replacement for the Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card.

Persons licensed by the USCG as a master of a vessel. Persons operating on a private lake or pond. A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA–approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state. Operators who are accompanied on board by a person who is exempt from the education requirement or by a person who is at least 18 years old, possesses the required identification card, and is attendant to the operation of the vessel and responsible for any violation that occurs. Persons operating a vessel within 90 days after purchase who have a bill of sale on board and available for inspection.

Operators who have passed an FWC–approved temporary certification exam must carry the Florida Boater Education Temporary Certificate and a photographic identification card. The temporary certificate:

Is valid for 12 months from the date it is issued and. Is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for the Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card.

Operators required to have a Boating Safety ID Card must carry it and a photographic identification card on board.

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When must the certificate of registration be onboard a boat in Florida?

All vessels, with the exception of non-motor-powered vessels less than 16 feet in length, non-motor-powered canoes, kayaks, racing shells or rowing sculls, regardless of length, must be registered through your local Tax Collector’s Office, Letters must be separated from the numbers by a hyphen or space equal to letter width. The Certificate of Registration must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated. Vessels must be registered and numbered within 30 days of purchase. Registration numbers must be displayed on the forward half of the vessel on both sides above the waterline. The numbers must be bold block letters at least 3″ high in a color contrasting to the hull. The vessel registration decal must be renewed annually and is to be displayed within 6 inches of, either before or after, the registration numbers on the port (left) side. Documented vessels without a state registration in full force and effect must also obtain a Florida registration and display the validation decal on the port side of the vessel when using Florida waters. Also see: flhsmv.gov

The operator of a vessel involved in a boating accident where there is personal injury beyond immediate first-aid, death, disappearance of any person under circumstances which indicate death or injury, or if there is damage to the vessel(s) and/or personal property of at least $2,000, must, by the quickest means possible, give notice to one of the following: the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the sheriff of the county in which the accident occurred, or the police chief of the municipality in which the accident occurred, if applicable. It is unlawful for any person operating a vessel involved in a boating accident to leave the scene without giving all possible aid to the involved persons and without reporting the accident to the proper authorities. Also see: FWC Boating Accident Statistics

Anyone who operates a vessel with willful disregard for the safety of persons or property will be cited for reckless operation (a first-degree misdemeanor). All operators are responsible for operating their vessel in a reasonable and prudent manner with regard for other vessel traffic, posted restrictions, the presence of a divers-down flag and other circumstances so as not to endanger people outside of the vessel or property. Failure to do so is considered careless operation (a non-criminal infraction). A violation of the Federal Navigation Rules is also a violation of Florida law.

Florida law requires that anyone convicted of 2 non-criminal boating safety infractions within a 12-month period must enroll in, attend and successfully complete any NASBLA/State of Florida-approved boater education course. (“Attend” means you must attend a classroom course or take the course on-line.) This course must be completed following the date of the second violation, and proof of completion must be filed with the Commission’s Boating and Waterways Section. Any person convicted of a boating infraction which resulted in a reportable boating accident or convicted of any criminal boating violation must complete any NASBLA/State of Florida-approved boating safety course and also complete an approved safe boating course for violators. Violator courses require approximately 4 hours to complete and must be taken through a specified State of Florida-approved online course. A violator’s privilege to operate a vessel in Florida is suspended until proof of course completion is filed with the FWC. Frequently Asked Questions

The exhaust of every engine used on any airboat operated in Florida must use an automotive-style factory muffler, underwater exhaust, or other manufactured device capable of adequately muffling the sound of the engine exhaust. The use of cutouts or flex pipe as the sole source of muffling is prohibited. Airboats must be equipped with a mast or flagpole displaying a flag that is at least 10 feet above the lowest part of the boat. The flag must be square or rectangular, at least 10 inches by 12 inches in size, international orange in color, and displayed so it is visible from any direction.

Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as “Idle Speed – No Wake” must operate at the minimum speed that allows the vessel to maintain headway and steerageway. Any vessel operating in a speed zone posted as “Slow Down – Minimum Wake” must operate fully off plane and completely settled in the water. The vessel’s wake must not be excessive nor create a hazard to other vessels.

It is a violation of Florida law to operate a vessel while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. A vessel operator suspected of boating under the influence must submit to sobriety tests and a physical or chemical test to determine blood- or breath-alcohol content. In Florida, a vessel operator is presumed to be under the influence if their blood- or breath-alcohol level is at or above,08. Any person under 21 years of age who is found to have a breath-alcohol level of,02 or higher and operates or is in actual physical control of a vessel is in violation of Florida law.

The operator of a vessel towing someone on skis or another aquaplaning device must either have an observer, in addition to the operator, on board who is attendant to the actions of the skier or have and use a wide-angle rear-view mirror. No one may ski or aquaplane between the hours of 1/2 hour past sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise. No one may water ski or use another aquaplaning device unless they are wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved non-inflatable wearable personal flotation device (PFD). Inflatable PFDs are prohibited for skiing/aquaplaning. No one may ski or use another aquaplaning device while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. The operator of a vessel towing a skier may not pull the skier close enough to a fixed object or another vessel that there is risk of collision.

Each person operating, riding on, or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear an approved non-inflatable wearable personal flotation device (PFD). Inflatable PFDs are prohibited for personal watercraft use. The operator of a personal watercraft must attach the engine cutoff switch lanyard (if equipped by the manufacturer) to his/her person, clothing or PFD. Personal watercraft may not be operated from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, even if navigation lights are used. Remember, both federal and state law requires the use of navigation lights from sunset to sunrise. Maneuvering a personal watercraft by weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably close or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision is classified as reckless operation of a vessel (a first-degree misdemeanor). A person must be at least 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft in Florida. A person must be at least 18 years of age to rent a personal watercraft in Florida. It is unlawful for a person to knowingly allow a person under 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft (a second-degree misdemeanor). Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 is required to either have successfully completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating education course or have passed a course equivalency or temporary certificate examination and have in their possession a boating education ID card and a photo identification card before operating a vessel with a motor of 10 HP or more in Florida. Identification cards for persons completing the course or the equivalency exam are good for a lifetime. Temporary Certificate exams are made available to the public through contractors. The temporary certificate is valid for 12 months from the issue date.

Except in the event of an emergency, it is unlawful to moor or fasten to any lawfully placed navigation aid or regulatory maker.

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The following operators are exempt:

A person licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel. A person operating on a private lake or pond. An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is least 18 years old and possesses the required Boating Safety Education Identification Card, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel. An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is exempt from the educational requirements, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel. A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state. A person who is operating a vessel within 90 days after the purchase of that vessel, provided they have available for inspection aboard that vessel, a bill of sale meeting all the requirements as established in Chapter 328.46(1), Florida Statutes. A person operating a vessel within 90 days after completing an approved boating safety course, as required in Chapter 327.395(1), and has a photographic I.D. and a boater education course completion certificate showing proof of having completed the required boating safety education course. The course completion certificate must provide the student’s first and last name, date of birth, and the date the course was successfully completed. (Effective Oct.1, 2011.)

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions, See also Boat Safety Equipment, The following regulations apply whenever someone is wholly or partially submerged and is using a face mask and snorkel or underwater breathing apparatus. A divers-down warning device may be a divers-down flag, buoy, or other similar warning device.

The divers-down warning device must contain a divers-down symbol. The symbol is a red rectangle or square with a white diagonal stripe. If the symbol is a rectangle, the length may not be less than the height or more than 25% longer than the height. The width of the stripe must be 25% of the height of the symbol. If multiple stripes are displayed, all of the stripes must be oriented in the same direction. The size of the divers-down symbol depends on whether the divers-down warning device is displayed from the water or from a vessel. On the water, the divers-down symbol must be at least 12 x 12 inches in size. On a vessel, the symbol must be at least 20 x 24 inches in size. When displayed on a boat, the divers-down warning device also must be displayed at the highest point of the vessel so that its visibility is not obstructed in any direction. Divers-Down Instructions If the divers-down warning device is a flag, the divers-down symbol must be on each face and have a wire stiffener or be otherwise constructed to ensure it remains fully unfurled and extended, even when there is no wind or breeze. If the divers-down symbol is a buoy, the buoy must have three or four sides with the divers-down symbol displayed on each of the flat sides. The buoy must be prominently visible on the water’s surface and can’t displayed on the vessel. Boaters must make reasonable efforts to stay at least 300 feet away from divers-down warning devices in open water and at least 100 feet away in rivers, inlets, or navigation channels. Boaters approaching divers-down warning devices closer than 300 feet in open water and 100 feet in rivers, inlets, or navigation channels must slow down to idle speed. Divers-must make a reasonable effort to stay within 100 feet of a divers-down flag or a buoy within rivers, inlets, or navigation channels and within 300 feet on open water. A divers-down warning device may not be displayed when divers are out of the water.

Except in the event of an emergency, it is unlawful for any person to anchor or operate a vessel in a manner that will unreasonably interfere with the navigation of other vessels

The owner and/or operator of a vessel is responsible to carry, store, maintain and use the safety equipment required by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). All vessels are required to have onboard a wearable USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person. The PFDs must be of the appropriate size for the intended wearer, be in serviceable condition, and within easy access. The state of Florida urges all people onboard a boat to wear a life jacket. Vessels 16 feet in length or longer must also have at least one USCG-approved throwable Type IV PFD that is immediately available in case of a fall overboard. A child under the age of 6 must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II or III personal flotation device while onboard a vessel under 26 feet in length while the vessel is underway. “Underway” is defined as anytime except when the vessel is anchored, moored, made fast to the shore or aground. Vessels with built-in fuel tanks or enclosed compartments where gasoline fumes can accumulate are required to carry at least one fire extinguisher (depending upon vessel length) which is approved for marine use. All vessels are required to carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a referee’s whistle. Vessels less than 16 feet in length are required to carry at least 3 visual distress signals approved for nighttime use when on coastal waters from sunset to sunrise. Vessels 16 feet or longer must carry at least 3 daytime and three nighttime visual distress signals (or 3 combination daytime/nighttime signals) at all times when on coastal waters. The use of sirens or flashing, occulting or revolving lights is prohibited except where expressly allowed by law. Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc.). The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules specify lighting requirements for every description of watercraft.

No person may operate a monohull boat of less than 20 feet in length while exceeding the maximum weight, persons, or horsepower capacity as displayed on the manufacturer’s capacity plate.

The facility is prohibited from renting a vessel that does not have proper safety equipment, exceeds the recommended horsepower or load capacity, or is not seaworthy. The facility must provide pre-rental or pre-ride instruction on the safe operation of the vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This instruction must include, at a minimum, operational characteristics of the vessel, safe operation and right-of-way, operator responsibilities and local waterway characteristics. The person delivering this information must have completed a NASBLA/state-approved boater safety course. All renters required by law to have a boater education ID card must have the card or its equivalent before the facility may rent to them. The livery must display boating safety information in a place visible to the renting public in accordance with FWC guidelines. PWC liveries must provide on-the-water demonstration and a check ride to evaluate the proficiency of renters. PWC liveries may not enter into rental agreement with anyone under the age of 18. PWC liveries must display safety information on the proper operation of a PWC. The information must include: propulsion, steering and stopping characteristics of jet pump vessels, the location and content of warning labels, how to re-board a PWC, the applicability of the Navigation Rules to PWC operation, problems with seeing and being seen by other boaters, reckless operation, and noise, nuisance and environmental concerns. Frequently Asked Questions

Vessels operating in Florida waters must comply with the U.S. Coast Guard requirements relating to marine sanitation devices, where applicable.

All vessels must be equipped with an effective muffling device. The use of cutouts is prohibited, except for vessels competing in a regatta or official boat race and such vessels while on trial runs.

Law enforcement officers of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, sheriffs’ deputies of the various counties, municipal police officers, and all other law enforcement officers, as defined in section 943.10, Florida Statutes, have the authority to order the removal or relocation of vessels deemed to be an interference with navigation or a hazard to public safety; to enforce all boating safety laws; and to conduct vessel inspections in accordance with state law. A law enforcement officer may stop any vessel to check for compliance with boating safety equipment and registration requirements and to conduct resource inspections in accordance with state law.

Manatees are protected by state and federal law. It is illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal, including manatees. Anything that disrupts a manatee’s normal behavior is a violation of law, punishable under federal law up to a $50,000 fine, one-year imprisonment, or both. Boaters must observe all manatee protection zone requirements. Boaters who accidentally strike a manatee are urged to report the strike to the FWC and may not be subject to prosecution, provided they were operating in accordance with any applicable vessel speed restrictions at the time of the strike.

Seagrasses are the principal food for endangered marine herbivores such as manatees and green sea turtles, act as natural filters to help purify the water, and provide a suitable environment for a wide variety of marine life. Boaters should make all available attempts to avoid running through seagrass beds. Navigation charts identify seagrass beds as light green or marked as “grs” on the chart. Boaters should make all possible attempts to stay within channels when unfamiliar with a waterway. Avoid taking shortcuts through seagrass beds to avoid causing propeller scars. It is a violation of Florida law to damage seagrass beds in some areas within state waters.

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Do Florida boat registrations expire?

Vessel Registrations – Vessel registrations expire at midnight of the owner’s birthday. Registrations for vessels titled in a business name expire June 30. Vessel registration fees are based on the length of the boat. Vessel registrations may be renewed in person at any tax collector’s office, online, by mail, or by telephone.
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How often must you renew your Certificate of boating safety education MD 16 in Maryland?

​Boating Safety Education Requirement – In Maryland, the law states that anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must possess a certificate of boating safety education in order to operate any motorized vessel. This certificate is non-renewable and must be carried by the student at all times while operating a vessel.

Officers may or may not ask to see the certificate during a vessel check and, if not provided, you can be charged with a minimum of $25 for the first offense and up to $500 for each offense thereafter. Boating safety courses are offered all across the State. Prices, times and locations may vary. Please contact the provider by calling the number provided.

Any further questions can be answered by contacting the Natural Resources Police Safety Education Section at (410) 643-8502.
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