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

Minimum Age to Operate a Boat in North Dakota

General Boating Age Requirements

North Dakota’s minimum age rules apply to power-driven vessels (including PWCs) with motors over 10 horsepower:

• Under 12 years old
  • May not operate a motorboat or PWC with a motor over 10 hp by themselves.
  • They may only operate such a vessel if they are accompanied on board by someone who is at least 18 years old.
• 12–15 years old
  • May operate a motorboat or PWC with a motor over 10 hp only if:
    • They are accompanied on board by a person who is at least 18 years old, or
    • They have taken and passed a boating course approved by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and carry their certification.
  • State law and Game and Fish guidance make the course mandatory for 12–15-year-olds who want to operate a 10+ hp boat or PWC by themselves.
• 16 years old and older
  • There is no mandatory education requirement in state law for operators 16+ on recreational boats with more than 10 hp, although completion of a boating safety course is strongly encouraged.
• Vessels with motors of 10 hp or less
  • The age-and-course rules above specifically reference motors of more than 10 horsepower. Smaller motors are not covered by the boater-education requirement, but all other safety and supervision expectations still apply.
• Non-motorized vessels (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, rowboats, sailboats without motors)
  • North Dakota does not set a specific minimum age for non-motorized craft. Parents and guardians are expected to ensure that young paddlers have the skills, equipment, and supervision appropriate to the conditions.

In practical terms, the minimum age to operate a typical 10+ hp motorboat alone in North Dakota is a properly certified 12- to 15-year-old, or anyone 16 and older who understands and follows the state’s boating laws.

Supervision and Adult-Onboard Requirements

North Dakota allows younger or uncertified boaters to operate when directly supervised by an adult:

• Direct onboard supervision
  • Children under 12 operating a 10+ hp motorboat or PWC must have a person who is at least 18 years old on board.
  • Operators 12–15 who have not passed an approved boating course must also have an adult 18+ onboard to operate a 10+ hp vessel.
  • The supervising adult must be in a position to take immediate control and must not be impaired.
• Who counts as an “adult”?
  • North Dakota’s boating rules consistently use 18 years of age or older as the threshold for the supervising adult on board.
• Responsibility for minors
  • It is unlawful to cause or knowingly permit a minor under 16 to operate a motorboat with more than 10 hp unless that minor is authorized under the rules above (correct age, supervision, or course completion).

For most families, the safest approach is to keep an experienced, sober adult in the boat with new operators until they have gained significant practice, even if the law would allow them to operate alone.

Boating License or Education Requirements

Does North Dakota Require a Boating Safety Course?

North Dakota does not issue a separate “boating license,” but it does require certain operators to complete a boating safety education course and carry proof:

• The North Dakota Game and Fish Department offers the Boat North Dakota course and home-study program for boaters.
• The course is required for youth ages 12–15 who want to operate a boat or PWC with at least a 10 hp motor by themselves (without an adult 18+ onboard).
• The course is generally intended for anyone at least 11½ years old, but the state will not issue a certification card until the graduate is 12.
• Approved courses are available as:
  • Online instruction through official delegated providers such as Recademics, or
  • A free Boat North Dakota manual and mail-in exam provided by the Game and Fish Department.

Although adults are not required by law to complete a course, North Dakota Game and Fish strongly encourages all boaters to obtain a Boater Education Card to stay current with state laws and safe operating practices.

Age Exceptions and Grandfather Clauses

North Dakota’s boating education rule is structured around youth and supervision rather than birth-year “grandfathering” used in some other states. Important details include:

• Age 16 and older
  • There is no mandatory education requirement in statute for operators aged 16 or older on recreational vessels with more than 10 hp, provided they comply with all other boating laws.
  • However, many adults still take an approved course for insurance discounts or to meet requirements in other states.
• Supervised youth as an exception
  • Youth 12–15 who do not hold a certification card may operate 10+ hp boats or PWCs if they are accompanied onboard by an adult 18+ who is responsible for the vessel.
  • Children under 12 may only operate such vessels when directly supervised onboard by an adult 18+ and should not be considered the primary operator.
• Rental operations
  • State law does not create a separate “rental” age, so youth operating rental boats must still meet the age, supervision, and education rules described above.
  • Rental businesses often impose stricter minimum ages or experience requirements as a condition of renting, even when state law would allow younger or less experienced operators.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Drive a Jet Ski (PWC) in North Dakota?

Minimum Age to Operate a PWC

Personal watercraft (PWCs) such as Jet Skis, WaveRunners, and similar craft are treated as motorboats under North Dakota law. The same age, supervision, and education rules that apply to other powerboats with more than 10 hp also apply to PWCs.

• Under 12 years old
  • May not operate a PWC with more than 10 hp on their own.
  • They may only operate when accompanied on board by an adult who is at least 18 years old.
• 12–15 years old
  • May operate a PWC with more than 10 hp only if:
    • An adult 18+ is onboard, or
    • They have completed a Game and Fish–approved boating safety course and hold a valid Boater Education Card.
  • The course is required for youth 12–15 who wish to operate a PWC by themselves.
• 16 years old and older
  • May operate a PWC without a mandatory course under North Dakota law, but many boaters still complete a course to learn state-specific rules and to satisfy requirements in other jurisdictions.
• Horsepower considerations
  • Because nearly all PWCs on the market have engines well over 10 hp, the 10+ hp threshold effectively means that almost all PWC operators must follow the youth education and supervision rules described above.

Penalties for Violating Age Laws

Violating North Dakota’s age and operator requirements can lead to enforcement actions under the state’s boating regulations and Century Code:

• Class 2 noncriminal offense
  • Operating a motorboat with more than 10 hp in violation of the age or supervision rules (for example, a 12–15-year-old operating alone without a certificate, or a child under 12 operating without an adult onboard) is treated as a class 2 noncriminal offense.
  • Class 2 noncriminal offenses are typically enforced with a monetary fee and may require the operator (or their parent/guardian) to correct the violation.
• Responsibility for parents and boat owners
  • Allowing or “knowingly permitting” a minor under 16 to operate a motorboat with more than 10 hp when they do not meet the legal requirements is also a violation.
• Additional penalties for unsafe operation
  • Other violations—such as reckless operation or boating under the influence—may carry higher penalties, including possible loss of operating privileges, depending on the circumstances.

Even if a first offense results in only a fine, having a violation on record can affect how future incidents are handled by law enforcement and insurance companies.

How to Get Certified to Drive a Boat in North Dakota

Steps to Getting Your Boating License

In North Dakota, your “boating license” is your Boater Education Card issued after completing an approved course. Here is how to earn it:

• 1. Check if you need the course
  • You must complete a boating safety course if you are 12–15 years old and want to operate a boat or PWC with at least a 10 hp motor by yourself on North Dakota waters.
  • Even if you are older than 15, a course is strongly recommended for safety and for boating in other states that may require proof of education.
• 2. Choose an approved course provider
  • North Dakota Game and Fish offers the Boat North Dakota program through:
    • An online course from officially delegated providers such as Recademics, and
    • A free home-study manual and mail-in exam.
  • Recademics provides an online course that is officially approved by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and recognized by NASBLA.
• 3. Complete the course material
  • Most students spend around 3–8 hours working through lessons on navigation rules, required equipment, local regulations, and emergency procedures.
  • The course is written for roughly a middle-school reading level; young students should be comfortable reading independently.
• 4. Pass the final exam
  • You must pass a state-approved exam to demonstrate your understanding of the material.
  • Online providers typically allow you to print a temporary certificate immediately after passing, so you can boat right away while waiting for your permanent card.
• 5. Receive and carry your Boater Education Card
  • Your permanent card is issued by or on behalf of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and is generally valid for life.
  • Keep the card in a secure, waterproof place on the boat or with you whenever you operate a 10+ hp motorboat or PWC.

Recademics’ North Dakota course is designed to meet all state requirements while making it easier for youth and adults to learn at their own pace.

Boating Safety Tips for Young Operators

Meeting the legal minimums is only the first step. For young boaters especially, these safety practices are essential:

• Always wear a life jacket
  • In North Dakota, anyone 10 years old or younger on a vessel under 27 feet must wear a properly sized, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket whenever the vessel is under way.
  • For older children and adults, wearing a life jacket at all times on open water is still the safest choice.
• Never operate without adult supervision when needed
  • Youth 12–15 without a course certificate must have an adult 18+ on board to operate a 10+ hp boat or PWC.
  • Even certified teens should practice on calm, familiar waters with an experienced adult nearby until they are very comfortable at the helm.
• Learn navigation rules and right-of-way basics
  • Young operators should know how to interpret buoys and markers, who has the right-of-way in crossing and overtaking situations, and how to obey no-wake zones and local restrictions.
  • A quick rules review at the start of each season helps refresh these skills.
• Take your boating safety course early
  • Because the Boat North Dakota course is open to students starting around age 11½ (with cards issued at 12), many families have children complete the course as soon as they show interest in operating a boat.
• Match boat size and speed to experience
  • Start new operators on smaller, slower boats and in good weather, then gradually move to more powerful craft and busier waters as their skills increase.
  • For PWCs in particular, emphasize safe following distances and smooth throttle control to avoid sudden, dangerous maneuvers.

Summary

• In North Dakota, there is no single “minimum age” for all boating, but the key rule is that youth ages 12–15 must complete a state-approved boating safety course if they want to operate a motorboat or PWC with more than 10 hp by themselves.
• Children under 12 may only operate 10+ hp boats or PWCs when accompanied onboard by an adult who is at least 18 years old.
• Operators 16 and older are not required by law to complete a course, but formal boating education is strongly encouraged for safety and for boating in other states.
• The same age and education rules apply to personal watercraft as to other motorboats, and almost all PWCs exceed the 10 hp threshold.

If you or your teen plan to operate a boat or Jet Ski in North Dakota, the most reliable path is to complete your official boating education through an approved provider like Recademics, earn your Boater Education Card, and carry it every time you head out on the water.