Minimum Age to Operate a Boat in New Jersey
General Boating Age Requirements
New Jersey law sets different operating rules for minors based on their age and the size/horsepower of the vessel:
- Under 13 years old
- May not operate any power vessel on New Jersey waters, regardless of supervision.
- Ages 13–15 (with a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate)
- May operate only:
- a boat powered solely by an electric motor, or
- a vessel that is 12 feet or longer with a motor of less than 10 horsepower.
- May not operate more powerful boats or any PWC.
- Ages 16 and older
- May operate any power vessel, including PWCs and higher-horsepower boats, if they hold a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate.
These age rules come directly from the New Jersey State Police Boating Safety Manual and are confirmed by state-approved education guidance and official summaries of New Jersey boating laws.
Supervision and Adult-Onboard Requirements
Unlike some states, New Jersey does not allow adult supervision to bypass the minimum age requirements:
- No one under 13 may operate a power vessel—even if an adult is on board.
- Ages 13–15 may operate only the limited low-horsepower boats described above and only if they have completed an approved boating safety course and received a Boat Safety Certificate.
- Ages 16+ must have a Boat Safety Certificate to operate any power vessel.
For general recreational boating, New Jersey law does not require an adult to be on board once a person is 16 or older and properly certified. In practice, though, many families choose to keep an experienced adult on board when younger operators are at the helm, especially in busy or unfamiliar areas.
In this article, “adult” refers to a person who is at least 18 years old, which is also the age used in New Jersey law for certain rental and supervisory roles.
Boating License or Education Requirements
Does New Jersey Require a Boating Safety Course?
Yes. New Jersey has a strict, statewide boating education law. In general:
- Any person operating a motorized vessel on New Jersey waters must possess a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate, issued after completing a boating safety course approved by the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau.
- As of June 1, 2009, all operators 16 and older of any power vessel, including PWCs, must have completed an approved boat safety course, with only narrow exceptions for certain visitors and specific rental situations.
- Courses must include a proctored exam and meet New Jersey and national (NASBLA) standards.
In addition, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) requires a separate motorboat or jet ski license (an MVC boat license) to operate on non-tidal (fresh) waters such as lakes and rivers where tides do not change:
- On tidal waters (salt or brackish): you need a Boat Safety Certificate but not an MVC boat license.
- On non-tidal waters: you need both a Boat Safety Certificate and an MVC motorboat/jet ski license.
You must be at least 16 years old to obtain the MVC motorboat/jet ski license, and you must present your Boat Safety Certificate when you apply.
Age Exceptions and Grandfather Clauses
New Jersey’s current law is written so that all power-vessel operators need boating safety training, so there is no broad “grandfather” exemption based on date of birth anymore. Instead, the key exceptions relate to:
- Out-of-state visitors
- Non-residents who are at least 16 years old and in New Jersey for fewer than 90 days may operate a power vessel if they carry:
- a valid boat safety certificate from their home state or country, or
- written proof of completion of a substantially similar NASBLA-approved/USCG-recognized course.
- Rental boats (non-PWC) for adults
- A person who is 18 or older may operate a rented power vessel that is not a PWC without having completed the full boat safety course, if they meet strict conditions and receive a temporary safety credential through the rental livery.
- Rental PWCs in designated areas
- At certain State Police-permitted PWC rental areas, renters who are at least 16 may be allowed to operate within a marked, supervised area with special procedures, even if they do not arrive with a Boat Safety Certificate, provided the livery meets all permit requirements and gives required safety instruction.
These exceptions are narrow, and most New Jersey boaters—including residents who regularly boat on lakes, rivers, and coastal waters—must complete a full approved boating safety course and carry their Boat Safety Certificate when operating.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Drive a Jet Ski (PWC) in New Jersey
Minimum Age to Operate a PWC
New Jersey treats personal watercraft (PWCs), such as jet skis, as higher-risk vessels with stricter age rules:
- Under 16 years old: May not operate a PWC at all—there is no exception for adult supervision.
- Ages 16 and older:
- May operate a PWC only if they hold a valid New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate (or accepted equivalent for certain visitors), unless operating under tightly controlled, permitted rental-area rules.
- Anyone operating a PWC must also follow all general boating laws, including registration, no-wake/slow-speed zones, and life jacket requirements.
These PWC rules are reflected both in New Jersey statute and in U.S. Coast Guard summaries of state boating laws.
Penalties for Violating Age Laws
Operating a power vessel or PWC in New Jersey without meeting age or education requirements is a violation of state law and can lead to:
- Citations and fines for operating without a Boat Safety Certificate or for underage operation.
- Orders from law enforcement to return to shore and cease operation until a qualified operator is in control.
- Requirements to complete an approved boating safety course before being allowed to operate again.
- More serious penalties for related offenses such as reckless operation or boating under the influence (BUI), which can include substantial fines, possible jail time, and suspension of boating or driving privileges.
The New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau and other law-enforcement agencies regularly patrol state waters and may request to see your Boat Safety Certificate, identification, and vessel documents during routine stops.
How to Get Certified to Drive a Boat in New Jersey
Steps to Getting Your Boating License
If you plan to operate a motorized boat or PWC in New Jersey, especially on non-tidal waters, you should expect to complete these steps:
- Confirm that you need a Boat Safety Certificate.
If you will operate any power vessel and are 16 or older, or if you are 13–15 and plan to operate the limited types of low-horsepower vessels allowed, you must complete an approved boating safety course. - Choose a New Jersey–approved boating safety course.
Select an in-person or blended course that is officially approved by the New Jersey State Police. Providers like Recademics offer New Jersey–specific courses that meet these standards. - Complete all course material.
Study topics such as navigation rules, New Jersey-specific laws, required safety equipment, no-wake zones, and emergency procedures. - Pass the proctored exam.
New Jersey requires a proctored, in-person exam. After you pass, you’ll receive proof of completion and, ultimately, your permanent New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate. - Apply for an MVC boat license (for non-tidal waters).
If you plan to operate on freshwater, non-tidal waters, bring your Boat Safety Certificate and identification to an MVC agency to obtain your motorboat or jet ski license. - Carry your credentials whenever you operate.
When you are operating a power vessel, you must have your Boat Safety Certificate (and MVC boat license, where required) on board and be ready to show it to law-enforcement officers.
Boating Safety Tips for Young Operators
For young and first-time boaters in New Jersey, the following safety practices are especially important:
- Always wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone on board—and especially anyone under 13—wears a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket while underway.
- Never operate without adult guidance when you are new. Even when the law allows you to operate on your own at 16, it is smart to boat with an experienced adult until you are fully comfortable handling the vessel in different conditions.
- Learn navigation rules and right-of-way basics. Understand how to meet, cross, and overtake other boats, and always obey New Jersey’s no-wake and speed-limit zones.
- Take your boating safety course early. Completing your course before the season starts gives you time to absorb the material and practice good habits on the water.
- Use the engine cut-off switch (lanyard). On PWCs and many small boats, always attach the lanyard so the engine stops if you fall overboard.
- Watch weather and local conditions. Avoid going out in poor visibility, storms, or high winds, and learn local hazards such as shallow areas, channels, and busy traffic zones.
- Stay sober at the helm. Alcohol and drugs greatly increase the risk of accidents—and New Jersey’s BUI laws are strictly enforced.
Summary
In New Jersey, you must be at least 13 to operate any power vessel, and even then, operation is limited to small, low-horsepower boats and requires a Boat Safety Certificate. At 16 and older, you may operate any power vessel, including jet skis and other PWCs, provided you hold a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate (and, on non-tidal waters, an MVC motorboat/jet ski license). There are no exemptions that allow younger children to operate power vessels, even with adult supervision.
To stay legal and safe on New Jersey waters, complete an official boating safety course with an approved provider such as Recademics, keep your Boat Safety Certificate and any required MVC license with you on board, and follow core safety practices every time you head out.
