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

Minimum Age to Operate a Boat in Washington

General Boating Age Requirements

Washington law focuses on powered boats with 15 horsepower or more and on personal watercraft. Key minimum-age rules include:

• Motor-driven boats and vessels (15 hp or greater):
  • Operators must be at least 12 years old to operate a motor-driven boat or vessel with an engine of 15 horsepower or more.
  • Operators must also meet the boater education card requirement or be supervised as allowed by law (see supervision section below).
• Boats with less than 15 hp and non-motorized craft:
  • Washington does not set a specific statewide minimum age for very small engines or non-motorized vessels such as kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, or rowboats.
  • However, parents and guardians are expected to ensure that young children are capable swimmers and are appropriately supervised.
• Personal watercraft (PWC/jet skis):
  • Under 14 years old: May not operate a PWC on Washington waters.
  • 14 years and older: May operate a PWC if they meet the boating safety education requirement and carry proof of completion.
  • Renting a PWC: It is illegal to lease, hire, or rent a PWC to anyone under 16 years old.

Supervision and Adult-Onboard Requirements

If a young operator has not yet fully met the education requirements, Washington law allows some operation under direct adult supervision on certain motorboats.

• For motor-driven boats and vessels (15 hp or greater):
  • A person at least 12 years old may operate a 15 hp or greater motorboat if they:
    • Hold a valid boater education card, or
    • Are accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a person who:
      • Is at least 16 years old, and
      • Holds a boater education card or is not yet required to carry one under Washington’s birth-year exemption.
  • “Direct supervision” means the supervising adult is on board, close enough to immediately take control of the vessel if needed.
• For personal watercraft (PWC):
  • Under 14: No operation is allowed, even with an adult supervising.
  • 14 and older: Must meet the education requirement; having an adult nearby does not replace the minimum age rule.
• Definition of “adult” in practice:
  • For supervision purposes, the supervising person must be at least 16 years old and properly qualified under Washington’s boater education rules.

Boating License or Education Requirements

Does Washington Require a Boating Safety Course?

Yes. Washington operates under a mandatory boater education law for most operators of powered boats and PWCs.

• Who needs a Washington State Boater Education Card?
  • Anyone operating a motor-driven boat or vessel with an engine of 15 horsepower or greater, and
  • Anyone operating a personal watercraft (PWC), and
  • Who was born on or after January 1, 1955.
• How to satisfy the law:
  • Complete a state-approved boating safety course (online or in-person).
  • Pass the final exam and receive your Washington State Boater Education Card.
  • Carry your card whenever you operate a 15 hp or greater motorboat or a PWC.
• Minimum age to obtain a card:
  • You must be at least 12 years old to apply for a Washington boater education card.
• Where to find courses:
  • Approved course options are listed by the Washington State Parks Boating Program and may be offered by in-person providers and approved online providers such as Recademics.

Age Exceptions and Grandfather Clauses

Washington allows some limited exceptions and recognizes certain existing credentials.

• Birth-year exemption:
  • Persons born before January 1, 1955 are not required to obtain a boater education card, but must still operate safely and obey all boating laws.
• Rental and checklist option:
  • A person at least 12 years old who is renting, chartering, or leasing a motor-driven boat or vessel with an engine of 15 hp or more may operate without a card if they:
    • Complete a state-approved motor vessel safety operating and equipment checklist each time before operating, and
    • Are not operating a PWC under the minimum age limits.
• Other recognized qualifications:
  • Holders of certain U.S. Coast Guard licenses or valid commercial fishing licenses may operate without a boater card when acting within the scope of those credentials.
  • Nonresidents may be exempt if they hold a comparable boater education card from another state or country that meets Washington’s standards and operate in Washington only for a limited time.
• Racing and exhibitions:
  • Participants in permitted races or exhibitions may be exempt from certain rules while practicing for or participating in those events.

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

Minimum Age to Operate a PWC

Washington sets specific age and safety rules for personal watercraft because of their speed and maneuverability.

• Minimum age:
  • You must be at least 14 years old to operate a PWC on Washington waters.
  • Anyone younger than 14 is prohibited from operating a PWC, even with adult supervision.
• Boater education requirement:
  • All PWC operators who are required by law must possess a valid boater education card and carry it while operating.
  • This generally applies to PWC operators born on or after January 1, 1955.
• Rental rules:
  • It is illegal to lease, hire, or rent a PWC to anyone under 16 years old.
  • Even when rented to a person 16 or older, the operator must still follow all boater education and safety rules.
• Other PWC rules:
  • PWCs cannot be operated during hours of darkness.
  • Operators must use the lanyard-type engine cutoff switch if the PWC is equipped with one and must not disable that safety feature.

Penalties for Violating Age Laws

Operating a boat or PWC in Washington without meeting the required age and education rules can lead to legal penalties.

• Boater education card violations:
  • Operating a 15 hp or greater motorboat or a PWC without the required boater education card is treated as an infraction.
  • Courts may waive the penalty if the boater provides proof within a set period that they have completed an approved course and obtained their card.
• PWC age and rental violations:
  • Allowing a person under the legal minimum age to operate a PWC, or renting a PWC to someone under 16, is a violation of Washington law.
  • Violations of key PWC rules (including minimum age, rental rules, and certain unsafe operations) can be charged as misdemeanors, which may carry fines and a criminal record.
• Other unsafe operations:
  • Reckless or negligent operation, or operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, can result in higher fines, possible jail time, and restrictions on boating privileges.

How to Get Certified to Drive a Boat in Washington

Steps to Getting Your Boating License

In Washington, your “boating license” is the Washington State Boater Education Card. Here are the typical steps to earn it:

• 1. Choose an approved boating safety course.
  Enroll in a course that is approved by the Washington State Parks Boating Program and meets national standards. You can take the course online or in a classroom through an approved provider such as Recademics.
• 2. Study Washington-specific boating laws.
  Learn about required safety equipment, navigation rules, speed and no-wake zones, life jacket rules, age and education requirements, and local regulations that apply to Washington waters.
• 3. Pass the final exam.
  At the end of the course, you must pass a multiple-choice exam that tests your understanding of boating safety and state laws.
• 4. Apply for and receive your boater education card.
  After passing the course, you will receive instructions on how to obtain your Washington State Boater Education Card. Once issued, the card is generally valid for your lifetime.
• 5. Carry your card whenever you operate.
  Keep your boater education card with you whenever you operate a motor-driven boat of 15 hp or more or any PWC, and be prepared to show it to law enforcement if requested.

Boating Safety Tips for Young Operators

• Always wear a life jacket.
  Every person on board should have a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket. Children and teens should wear their life jackets at all times while underway.
• Never operate without appropriate adult supervision.
  Even if the law allows a young person to operate a boat or PWC, an experienced, safety-conscious adult should be nearby and ready to help, especially on crowded waterways or in poor conditions.
• Learn navigation rules and right-of-way basics.
  Young operators should understand who must give way, how to read buoys and markers, and how to maintain a proper lookout to avoid collisions.
• Match the boat to the operator’s skills.
  Start with smaller, lower-powered boats in calm conditions and gradually move to larger or faster vessels as the young operator gains experience and demonstrates safe behavior.
• Take your boating safety course early.
  Completing a boating safety course as soon as you are eligible helps you understand Washington’s rules before you ever take the helm and ensures you are fully legal.
• Stay sober and alert on the water.
  Alcohol and drugs significantly increase the risk of boating accidents. Washington law treats boating under the influence seriously, with penalties similar to those for driving under the influence.

Summary

In Washington, the minimum age to operate a boat or PWC depends on the vessel and engine size:

• Motor-driven boats and vessels (15 hp or greater):
  • Operators must be at least 12 years old.
  • Most operators born on or after January 1, 1955 must complete an approved boating safety course and carry a Washington State Boater Education Card.
  • Younger operators may operate under direct supervision of a qualified adult who meets the education requirement.
• Personal watercraft (PWC/jet skis):
  • Operators must be at least 14 years old.
  • PWCs may not be rented to anyone under 16 years old.
  • PWC operators must also meet Washington’s boater education requirements.
• Small or non-motorized craft:
  • No specific statewide minimum age, but proper supervision, life jackets, and safe practices are essential.

To stay safe and legal on Washington’s lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, new boaters should complete an official boating safety course, obtain their boater education card, and follow all age and supervision rules. Recademics, as an approved boating-education provider, can help Washington boaters meet these requirements and build the knowledge they need for confident, responsible boating.