Do I Need a License for Florida Boat Rentals?

Even though the summer is starting to wind down, it's not too late to get out on the water during this boating season and have some fun. If you live in Florida and don't have a boat, or you're traveling to Florida for an end-of-summer vacation, you could rent a boat and have some great adventures.

Florida offers an extensive coastline and numerous lakes to explore, and Florida boat rentals can make getting out and seeing more of this beautiful state much easier and more enjoyable.

Before you try to rent a boat, though, you'll need to understand the local licensing requirements. Here's where to start.

Florida Boating License Requirements

Florida boaters must have a license to operate motorized watercraft. However, you're more likely to see it called a Boating Safety Education Identification Card. It's a requirement for boat operators born on or after January 1, 1988.

However, even if you aren't required to have a boater safety card, you can learn a lot of valuable information from a boating safety course that can keep you safe on the water as a passenger.

If you're not a Florida resident and plan to rent a boat, you can get by with the Florida Boat Rental Course and temporary license. This shorter course costs less than the resident's course and is good for 90 days –plenty of time to legally enjoy your boat rental while in Florida and comply with state laws.

Just make sure you bring your temporary card with you on the boat.

How to Obtain the Boating Safety Education Identification Card

To get your identification card, you need to complete a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved boating safety course. Boat-Ed offers online and in-person courses that can provide the support and information you need and offer course options that work for you. 

You can take the course at your convenience, and once you enroll, you have 90 days to complete it. Then, you'll get unlimited attempts to pass the exam. Passing the exam gets you the card you need to operate a boat legally, and you'll need to carry that card while operating any boat you rent.

This approach is ideal for Florida residents – even if you don't own a boat but rent one from time to time. Once you take and pass the full state-approved course, you won't have to take it again! You'll be certified to operate rental boats or your own boat if you buy one down the line.

Exceptions and Additional Requirements

Florida wants everyone to stay safe on the water with boater education, but that doesn't mean your certification has to be a "Florida" course.

If you have a valid boating license from another state or were born before January 1, 1988, you don't need a Florida boating license. In some cases, you can also operate a boat under the supervision of a qualified person, and you won't need a license, either. 

However, the safest thing you can do to make sure you can rent a boat when you want to is get your Boating Safety Education Identification Card. Then, you have what you need and can rent from any Florida boat rental company as long as you also meet their other requirements. 

Operators of boats and personal watercraft (PWC) in Florida must be at least 14 years old, and you can't rent one in your name unless you're 18 or older. Understanding and meeting the requirements before heading to the rental company can reduce your chances of being turned away and unable to rent.

How to Rent a Boat in Florida

Boat rental companies have similar requirements for boats and personal watercraft. They won't rent to a minor, and they all have contracts spelling out what you can and can't do with the vessel you're renting. The time it has to be returned, whether it should be topped off with fuel, and other details are all part of the agreement.

Additionally, rental companies often require proof of the Boating Safety Education Identification Card for eligible operators. Even if you aren't required to have one because you were born before 1988, the rental company may still require it as part of its policy. Reading and understanding the rental agreement is very important.

Safety and Compliance Tips

Anytime you rent a boat, it's vital to adhere to all the boating safety regulations and guidelines. You should also familiarize yourself with local waterway rules and navigation markers so you can find your way around safely and stay out of the way of other boaters. 

Additionally, be sure you have proper safety equipment, such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, and signaling devices. The boat rental company should supply these items, but it's crucial to make sure everything is there and that you know how to operate it.

Life jackets and other essential safety items don't do much good if you don't use them or cannot find them in an emergency.

Stay Safe When Operating Florida Boat Rentals

For more confidence and peace of mind on your next boating excursion, take a boater education course and get safety certified through Boat-Ed. Not only will you learn vital information to protect yourself and others on the waterways, but you can also get the identification card you need to operate Florida boat rentals legally and have some fun before summer ends.

Our online courses are state-approved (even our Florida Boat Rental Course) and meet all state licensing requirements. So, whether you only need a temporary license to rent a boat or you want your permanent boater safety card and license, put safety first on the water this season!