How Old Do You Have to Be to Drive a Boat in Nevada?

Minimum Age to Operate a Boat in Nevada

General Boating Age Requirements

For most motorboats, Nevada law focuses on boater education and horsepower rather than setting a fixed minimum age:

• Anyone born on or after January 1, 1983 must complete an NDOW-approved boating safety course before operating a motorboat over 15 hp on Nevada waters, including popular areas like Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.
• Boaters born before January 1, 1983 are exempt from this mandatory education requirement but are strongly encouraged to take a course.
• There is no statewide minimum age listed for operating a motorboat in Nevada, provided the operator meets the education rules, can safely control the vessel, and follows all other boating laws.

Non-motorized craft such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards do not require a boating license or education card, but operators must still follow life jacket and safety rules.

Supervision and Adult-Onboard Requirements

Nevada’s supervision requirements are targeted at higher-risk activities instead of general motorboat operation:

• For most motorboats, Nevada does not generally require an adult to be on board solely because the operator is a minor, as long as education rules are satisfied.
• When towing skiers, tubers, or wakeboarders, the operator must be:
  • At least 16 years old, or
  • At least 14 years old with an adult who is at least 18 years old on board and in a position to supervise.
• “Adult” in this context means someone who is 18 or older.

Even when supervision is not legally required, NDOW and safety experts recommend that younger or beginner boaters operate with an experienced adult on board, especially on busy or unfamiliar waters.

Boating License or Education Requirements

Does Nevada Require a Boating Safety Course?

Yes. Nevada has a statewide boater education requirement tied to the operator’s birth date and the horsepower of the vessel:

• Anyone born on or after January 1, 1983 must complete an NDOW-approved boating safety course before operating:
  • Any motorboat with a motor of more than 15 horsepower, or
  • Any personal watercraft (PWC), such as a jet ski.
• After passing the course, operators receive a Boater Education Card, sometimes called a “boating license,” which must be carried on board whenever the vessel is underway.
• Courses are available online and in person through NDOW-approved providers, including Recademics, which offers an official Nevada boating safety course.

Boaters can find current course options and details directly on the Nevada Department of Wildlife website.

Age Exceptions and Grandfather Clauses

Nevada’s rules include several important age-related exceptions:

• Born before January 1, 1983: No boater education card is required to operate a motorboat over 15 hp or a PWC, though safety training is still recommended.
• Visiting boaters:
  • Visitors from other states generally follow their home state’s education requirements. Some out-of-state boaters may be exempt if their state has no requirement, or if they are in Nevada only briefly with a vessel registered elsewhere.
• Rental operations:
  • Operators of rental boats on Lake Mead and other waters must still meet applicable education and age rules.
  • Marinas are required to provide a safety briefing before allowing renters to operate a vessel.
• Minimum age for certification:
  • There is no minimum age to earn a Nevada Boater Education Card, as long as the student can complete and pass the course and exam.

Even if an operator is exempt from mandatory education, completing a boating safety course improves safety for everyone on the water.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Drive a Jet Ski (PWC) in Nevada

Minimum Age to Operate a PWC

Nevada has specific rules for personal watercraft (PWCs), which include jet skis, Sea-Doos, and WaveRunners:

• You must be at least 14 years old to operate a PWC in Nevada. Younger riders are not permitted to operate a PWC.
• If you were born on or after January 1, 1983, you must also have completed an NDOW-approved boating safety course before operating a PWC.
• PWCs are treated as motorboats under Nevada law, so all general boating rules (registration, navigation, no-wake zones) apply.
• Everyone on a PWC—and anyone being towed—must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket at all times.

Most PWCs have engines larger than 15 hp, so nearly all younger riders who are required to take a course will need a Boater Education Card before riding.

Penalties for Violating Age Laws

Operating a boat or PWC in Nevada without meeting age and education requirements is a violation of state boating law. In general:

• Violating provisions of Nevada’s watercraft laws (Chapter 488 of the Nevada Revised Statutes) is typically a misdemeanor. Courts may also require completion of an approved safe-boating course before the person is allowed to operate again.
• Failing to carry a required Boater Education Card on board can result in a citation and fines from law enforcement.
• More serious violations, such as operating under the influence (BUI), carry higher penalties, including potential jail time and substantial fines—showing how seriously Nevada treats boating safety.

Specific fine amounts and court outcomes can vary by case, but underage operation or operating without the required education card can lead to tickets, fines, and restrictions on operating a vessel until legal requirements are met.

How to Get Certified to Drive a Boat in Nevada

Steps to Getting Your Boating License

If you were born on or after January 1, 1983 and plan to operate a motorboat over 15 hp or a PWC, follow these steps:

• Confirm you need a card. If you are operating a motorboat with more than 15 hp or any PWC and were born on or after January 1, 1983, you must complete a boating safety course.
• Choose an NDOW-approved course. Select an online or in-person course approved by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Recademics is one of the state-approved online providers for Nevada.
• Complete the course and pass the exam. Work through the lessons and pass the final exam (Nevada’s passing score is typically 80%, depending on the provider).
• Receive your Boater Education Card. After you pass, you’ll receive a Boater Education Card that is generally valid for life.
• Carry your card whenever you operate. Keep the card on board and ready to show to any law enforcement officer while your boat or PWC is underway.

Completing your course through a provider like Recademics ensures the training meets Nevada’s standards and is accepted by NDOW.

Boating Safety Tips for Young Operators

• Always wear a life jacket. Nevada requires children under 13 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket while underway, and it’s smart for everyone to do the same.
• Don’t operate without adult supervision if required. Follow the law for towing activities and PWCs, and consider having an experienced adult on board even when supervision is not strictly required.
• Learn navigation rules and right-of-way basics. Understanding buoys, channels, and who should give way helps prevent collisions and close calls.
• Take your boating safety course early. Completing your course with an approved provider like Recademics before the season starts gives you more time to practice safe habits on the water.
• Watch the weather and water conditions. Young operators should avoid operating in poor visibility, high winds, or rough water.
• Use your engine cut-off switch (lanyard). On PWCs and many small boats, wearing the lanyard ensures the engine stops if you fall overboard.

Summary

In Nevada, there is no fixed minimum age to operate a motorboat, but anyone born on or after January 1, 1983 must complete a state-approved boating safety course before operating a motorboat over 15 hp or any PWC. The minimum age to operate a jet ski (PWC) is 14, and operators towing skiers or riders must be 16 or older, or 14 with an adult 18+ supervising on board.

Violating these rules can lead to citations, fines, and restrictions on operating a vessel, so it is important to understand the law before you launch. To stay legal and safe, Nevada boaters should complete their official boating education through an NDOW-approved provider such as Recademics and carry their Boater Education Card every time they head out on the water.