Take an Official State-Approved Boater Safety Course
Quick Answer: Yes. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1998 must complete an approved boater education course to legally operate a jet ski in Georgia. The boater education certificate is sometimes referred to as a “jet ski license”.
Born on or after Jan 1, 1998 → Boater Education Card required
Under 12 → Cannot operate
Ages 12–15 → Must be certified or supervised by an adult
Age 16+ → Can operate with ID (and card if required)
Must always wear a life jacket, use an engine cut-off, and follow speed and distance rules
Georgia law doesn’t issue a “jet ski license,” but it does require boater education and sets strict age limits for anyone operating a personal watercraft (PWC).
If you were born on or after January 1, 1998, you must complete a Georgia DNR-approved boater safety course and carry your Boater Education Card while operating a jet ski.
Under 12: Cannot operate a PWC under any circumstances.
Ages 12–15: May operate a PWC only if they’ve passed a DNR-approved course or are accompanied by an adult (18 years or older).
Age 16+: May operate alone with proper identification and, if required by birthdate, a Boater Education Card.
Enroll in a Georgia DNR-approved boating safety course — available online and in-person.
Complete the course and pass the final exam.
Print your official Boater Education Card once you pass.
Carry your card whenever you operate a jet ski or motorized vessel.
Georgia recognizes cards from other NASBLA-approved states, so if you’ve taken an equivalent course elsewhere, you’re typically covered.
To keep yourself and others safe on the water, make sure you follow these additional requirements:
Life Jackets: Everyone riding a jet ski must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Engine Cut-Off Switch: Your jet ski must have a functioning safety lanyard or self-circling feature.
No Riding After Dark: PWCs cannot be operated between sunset and sunrise.
Speed Limits: Maintain idle speed within 100 feet of docks, swimmers, anchored vessels, marinas, and shorelines near homes or public beaches.
Registration: All PWCs must be registered with the Georgia DNR and display a current decal.
Violating Georgia’s PWC laws, such as operating without a card, breaking speed limits, or failing to wear a life jacket, can result in fines, citations, and suspension of boating privileges. More importantly, it increases the risk of injury or accidents.
It’s not legally required, but highly recommended to protect yourself from liability or damage costs.
You must be at least 16 years old. Rental companies may require proof of completion if you were born after January 1, 1998.
Yes, as long as they have a NASBLA-approved boating safety certificate from another state.
