Illinois Boating License Guide
Discover all you need to know about obtaining your Illinois boating license, including age & operator requirements, vessel guidelines, and Illinois boating license regulations.
Key Takeaways
- You need a boating license if you were born on or after Jan 1, 1998 and will be operating a vessel with a motor of 10 HP or greater.
- To get a boating license, take an Illinois-approved boater safety course.
- Carry your boating license on board your vessel.
- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources administers the boater safety program.
How to get an Illinois Boating License
- Check to see if you need boater education and can legally operate a boat.
- Take an Illinois-approved boater safety course.
- Pass a final examination.
- Carry your certification onboard your boat.
Who Needs a Boating License in Illinois?
Illinois’s boater’s licenses, more formally called Illinois Boating Safety Certificates, are issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and mandatory for anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, who intends to operate a vessel powered by a motor with over 10 horsepower.
Who can operate a boat in Illinois?
- Children ages 10-12 years of age may only operate under a parent or guardian’s direct control.
- Individuals ages 12-18 may operate a motorized vessel with more than 10 horsepower, including PWC, if they complete a boating safety course and possess a boating safety certificate accepted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources OR they are accompanied by and under the direct control of a parent, a guardian, or a person at least 18 years old designated by the parent or guardian.
- Parents, guardians, or designees born on or after January 1, 1998, must have a valid boating safety certificate to supervise a person ages 10-17 who is operating a motorized vessel with more than 10 hp.
State officials strongly encourage anyone born before 1998 to obtain a boater’s license however it is not required. In addition to enhancing your skills and knowledge of the water, taking a boating class can help you save money on your insurance premiums.
Take an Illinois-Approved Boater Safety Course
In Illinois, you can take NASBLA-approved boater safety courses to ensure you meet state and national boating safety standards. These courses are available online and in-person, offering flexibility to fit your schedule. They typically take about 3-8 hours to complete, depending on the format and provider. Online courses are convenient and self-paced, while in-person classes provide direct interaction with instructors. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a boater education card, which is often required for operating certain watercraft. You can find these courses through organizations like Boat Ed, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) website.
Online Courses Approved in Illinois
- www.BoaterExam.com ($34.95)
- www.Boat-Ed.com ($39.95)
- www.ilearntoboat.com ($54.95)
Coming Soon 🤞
We are working to get a Recademics Boater Safety Course approved in Illinois.
In-person courses
The state offers live, in-person and instructor-led courses for free. These courses are volunteer lead and scheduled throughout the year.
In-person courses are a minimum of 8-hours of face-to-face instruction and skill demonstration in areas like boating safety, equipment and requirements, navigation, motorboat, registration, titling, emergency measures, and related Illinois boating laws and regulations.
At the end of the instructional segment, participants must pass a written test in order for the course to be considered complete.
While the class is intended to educate boat operators aged 12 and older, children who are 11 years old may take the course in anticipation of turning 12. However, they will not be allowed to sit for the course’s final exam or officially receive their certification until their 12th birthday. Review the Safety Education Class Schedule on the Department of Natural Resources website to find and register for a class.
Alternative in-person courses include options provided by the:
Pass the Final Boating Exam
At the end of your boater safety course, you will need to take and pass the boater safety test. By passing this test, you prove that you have at least the minimum knowledge regarding required equipment, safety contingencies, navigation, and how to respond in a variety of emergencies to keep yourself, your passengers, and other watergoers safe.
Generally, a score of 80% is considered passing. Many course providers will offer unlimited attempts, so if test-taking is something that makes you nervous, make sure you find a course vendor that provides this. Alternatively, you may use study guides and boater safety test preparation tools for your state to improve your chances of passing on one of your attempts.
Get Your Boating License!
Once you’ve finished the online course and passed the exam, you’ll want to keep the certificate or card you received in a safe place and carry it with you anytime you’re out on the water.
If you completed an online NASBLA-approved course, you will likely have the option to download and print a temporary Illinois Boater Safety Certificate. You can then expect your official Illinois Boater Safety Certificate, aka boating license to arrive in the mail in anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Why You Need a Boating License in Illinois
It's the law! ..Maybe
Depending on your age, you must have a boater education certificate in order to operate a boat on Illinois waterways. Certified boaters keep Illinois waterways safe. When you complete the requirements for earning a boating license in Illinois, you also demonstrate you’ve mastered the knowledge and operational skills enough to ensure that you safely operate a vessel safely and react with confidence to any circumstances you’re faced with, including potential emergencies.
By demonstrating the competency level needed for earning your boating license, you ensure everyone’s safety, from you and your passengers on your vessel to everyone else on Illinois’ waterways.
Boater Education reduces accidents and fatalities
Sadly, in many of these cases, the victims and their family’s suffering was likely preventable given that operator inattention, improper lookout, and operator inexperience were determined as the cause for over 50% of accidents. By completing a boater safety course, boat operators can mitigate these risks, which should ultimately lead to fewer accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
Illinois Boating License FAQs
Do I need to renew my Illinois Boating License?
No, you do not need to renew the Illinois boating license. It is good for life!
Is the Illinois Boating License good in other states?
Yes! The Illinois Boating License is recognized in all 50 states and Canada. This is known as reciprocity.
How do I replace a lost or stolen illinois boating license?
If you lose your boating license or it is stolen, contact the course provider who issued your license. As a fallback, you can contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to obtain a new one. There may be replacement and processing fees.
How old do you have to be to get an Illinois boating license?
Individuals as young as 12 years old may apply for an Illinois Boating Education Certificate as long as they pass the boating course and final exam.
How long is the Illinois boating license valid for?
The Illinois boating license is good for life and does not need to be renewed. However, it’s a good idea to take a refresher course once in a while because laws change!
How much is a boating license in Illinois?
The cost to obtain a boating license online in Illinois ranges from $35 to $60. The Illinois DNR also offers free in-person courses.
What happens if I'm caught boating without my license in Illinois?
Individuals caught operating a vessel or PWC without the proper license and/or supervision may be subject to fines and other legal penalties.
Sources & Citations
- Illinois Department of Transportation: Waterway System https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/network-overview/waterway-system.html
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Boating Safety Education
https://dnr.illinois.gov/safety/boatingsafety.htm - Bennington: 5 Best Illinois Lakes for Pontoon Boating
https://www.benningtonmarine.com/en-us/articles/getting-started/5-best-illinois-lakes-for-pontoon-boating/ - Boating Safety Education: Illinois
https://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/state-boating-laws-details.php?id=66&state=Illinois - Lake County Sheriff’s Office: Boat Safety
https://www.lakecountyil.gov/2168/Boat-Safety - Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Illinois Aquatics
https://dnr.illinois.gov/
