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

Minimum Age to Operate a Boat in Utah

General Boating Age Requirements

Utah’s minimum age rules for operating most motorboats and sailboats are set by the State Boating Act (Utah Code § 73-18-15.2) and enforced by the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation.

• Motorboats (other than PWCs)
  • Ages 16 and older: May operate a motorboat on Utah waters without age-based restrictions or supervision requirements, as long as they comply with all other boating laws.
  • Under 16: May operate a motorboat only if they are on board with and under the direct supervision of a responsible person who is at least 18 years old.
• Sailboats
  • Ages 16 and older: May operate a sailboat without age-based restrictions or supervision.
  • Under 16: May operate a sailboat only under the direct supervision of a responsible person who is at least 18 years old.
• Very young children
  • Utah’s detailed supervision rules effectively mean that very young children may not operate motorized boats or larger sailboats independently. For safety, Utah and U.S. Coast Guard guidance emphasize that no one under 12 should operate higher-powered motorboats without an adult on board and ready to take immediate control.

Supervision and Adult-Onboard Requirements

For younger operators, “direct supervision” and “on-board and direct supervision” have specific meanings under Utah law.

• Direct supervision (general boats)
  • A person under 16 operating a motorboat or sailboat must have a responsible person who is at least 18 years old on board and in a position to immediately take control of the vessel if needed.
• Direct supervision for PWC (youth 12–15)
  • For youth operating PWCs, “direct supervision” means an adult at least 18 years of age is on the water nearby and able to provide immediate assistance and oversight, typically on the same PWC or another vessel close at hand.
• Who counts as an “adult”?
  • In Utah boating law, the supervising adult must be at least 18 years old and legally responsible for the safe operation of the vessel.

Boating License or Education Requirements

Does Utah Require a Boating Safety Course?

Utah does not require a general “boating license” for all motorboat operators. Instead, the state uses a combination of youth PWC education and an invasive-species awareness course.

• Youth PWC Education (Ages 12–17)
  • Utah requires a mandatory youth PWC education course for anyone ages 12–17 who wishes to operate a personal watercraft.
• Adults 18+
  • For adults, Utah recommends (but does not generally require) completion of a NASBLA-approved boating safety course, especially for those new to boating or PWCs.
• Mussel Aware Boater Course (Everyone)
  • Utah requires all boaters—motorized and non-motorized, residents and nonresidents—to complete the Annual Utah Mussel Aware Boater Course to help prevent the spread of quagga and zebra mussels. Proof of completion is required for launching on Utah waters.

Current, state-approved boating courses and links (including options such as Recademics) are listed on the Utah Outdoor Recreation – Boating Education webpage.

Age Exceptions and Grandfather Clauses

• No “born-before” grandfather clause
  • Unlike some states, Utah’s core operator-age and youth education rules are based on the operator’s current age, not on a “born before” date, so there is no broad grandfathering by birth year in the age statutes.
• Youth PWC rules
  • Special exceptions allow youth ages 12–15 to operate PWCs if they complete the required course and are directly supervised by a responsible adult who is at least 18 years old.
  • Youth ages 16–17 may operate PWCs without supervision once they have completed the required course and carry their certificate.
• Out-of-state boaters
  • Utah recognizes NASBLA-approved boating education cards from other states, especially for youth PWC operators, but visiting boaters must still comply with Utah’s youth age and supervision rules and complete the Mussel Aware Boater Course.

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

Minimum Age to Operate a PWC

Utah treats PWCs differently from other motorboats because of their speed and handling characteristics. State law sets detailed age and education requirements in Utah Code § 73-18-15.2 and related guidance.

• Under 12 years old
  • May not operate a PWC on Utah waters.
• Ages 12–15
  • May operate a PWC only if all of the following are true:
    • The operator is at least 12 years old but under 16, and
    • Has completed a Utah-approved boating safety course for youth PWC operators, and
    • Carries the boating safety certificate issued by the course provider, and
    • Is under the direct supervision of a responsible person who is at least 18 years old.
• Ages 16–17
  • May operate a PWC without adult supervision if:
    • They have successfully completed a Utah-approved boating safety course, and
    • They carry the boating safety certificate while operating.
• 18 and older
  • May operate a PWC with no statutory age or supervision restrictions, though the state strongly encourages completion of a boating safety course for all adult operators.

Penalties for Violating Age Laws

Operating a boat or PWC in violation of Utah’s age, supervision, or certification rules is a violation of the State Boating Act and can result in enforcement action.

• Citations and fines
  • Law enforcement officers may issue citations and fines to underage operators, supervising adults, or vessel owners who allow a youth to operate in violation of the law.
• Criminal penalties
  • Certain violations of Utah boating law can be charged as misdemeanors, especially when they involve unsafe operation or other serious infractions.
• Education requirements after violations
  • Court orders may require completion of an approved boating safety course following an offense, in addition to any fines or other penalties.

How to Get Certified to Drive a Boat in Utah

Steps to Getting Your Boating License

In Utah, the “boating license” most people refer to is either the Youth PWC Education Certificate or a general boating safety certificate from an approved course. Here is the typical process:

• 1. Confirm whether you need youth PWC certification
  • If you are 12–17 years old and want to operate a PWC, you must complete a Utah-approved youth PWC course.
• 2. Choose an approved course provider
  • Visit the Utah Outdoor Recreation boating education page to find approved providers. You can take:
    • A free, NASBLA-approved online Utah boating safety course promoted by the Division of Outdoor Recreation, or
    • Other state-accepted online courses, including Recademics, that meet Utah’s youth PWC requirements.
• 3. Study the course material
  • Course content covers Utah boating laws, required equipment, navigation rules, PWC-specific safety, emergency procedures, and environmental protection, including invasive-species prevention.
• 4. Pass the final exam
  • You must pass the course exam to receive your boating safety or youth PWC certificate. If you do not pass on the first try, most programs allow you to retake the test.
• 5. Carry your certificate and ID on the water
  • Youth operators who are required to take the course must carry:
    • Their boating safety or youth PWC education card, and
    • A valid photo ID (when age-appropriate),
    and present them to law enforcement upon request.

Boating Safety Tips for Young Operators

• Always wear a properly fitted life jacket
  • Utah requires children to wear U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets, and life jacket use is strongly recommended for all operators and passengers, regardless of age.
• Never operate without required adult supervision
  • If you are under 16 and the law requires an adult on board or nearby, make sure a qualified adult (18+) is actually present and ready to take control.
• Learn navigation rules and right-of-way
  • Study buoys, markers, channel rules, and right-of-way so you know when to give way and how to avoid collisions on busy Utah lakes and reservoirs.
• Take your boating safety course early
  • Completing your Utah-approved course as soon as you are eligible means you’ll be ready to operate legally and safely when you reach the minimum age for your boat type.
• Operate at safe speeds and watch your wake
  • Obey wakeless-speed zones near marinas, launch ramps, shorelines, anglers, and swimmers, and always operate at a speed that allows you to stop or turn safely.
• Never boat under the influence
  • Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in Utah and greatly increases the risk of crashes, injuries, and serious legal penalties.
• Protect Utah waters from invasive mussels
  • Always clean, drain, and dry your boat between waterbodies, and complete the Mussel Aware course each year as required.

Summary

To sum up, in Utah you generally must be at least 16 years old to operate a motorboat or sailboat without supervision, and at least 18 years old to operate a PWC without age or supervision restrictions. Youth 12–15 may operate PWCs only if they complete a Utah-approved youth PWC course, carry their certificate, and are under the direct supervision of a responsible adult who is at least 18 years old. Youth 16–17 may operate PWCs independently once they complete the required course and carry their certificate.

For the safest and most straightforward path to legal boating in Utah, complete your official boating education early, keep your certificate and ID with you on the water, and follow all age, supervision, and life jacket rules. Recademics, as a Utah-accepted online education provider, can help you meet the state’s youth PWC requirements while also preparing you to be a confident, responsible boater on Utah’s lakes and reservoirs.