Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Who May Operate a Vessel

• All persons born after January 1, 1974, must have successfully completed an approved boating safety education course to legally operate any motorized vessel (this includes personal watercraft).
• The boating safety education course must be approved by the Department of Public Safety. Those successfully completing a course are issued a certificate by the Vermont Department of Public Safety. The certificate is valid for the lifetime of the person to whom it was issued. No one younger than 10 years of age may receive a certificate.
• Persons required to have completed the course must carry his or her course certificate on board when operating a motorized vessel.
• Those born after January 1, 1974, are exempted from the above if they:
  • Are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard to operate a commercial vessel or ...
  • Operate the vessel only on a private lake or pond or ...
  • Are not a resident of Vermont and have proof that they have passed an approved boater education course in another state.
• No one under 12 years of age may legally operate any vessel powered by a motor of more than 6 horsepower, even if the person has successfully completed a boating safety education course.
• No one under 16 years of age may legally operate a personal watercraft (PWC), even if the person has successfully completed a boating safety education course.

Boater Safety Education Certificate
Operators required to have a Boating Safety Education Certificate must carry it on board the vessel.