Operator Age and Education Requirements for Boats

The following are requirements for boat operators on Michigan waters.

• Those less than 12 years of age:
  • May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) legally without restrictions.
  • May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp legally only if they:
    • Have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat and…
    • Are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years of age and have been issued a boating safety certificate.
  • May not operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp legally under any conditions.
• Those born on or after July 1, 1996, may not operate a motorboat that is powered by a motor or motors totaling more than 6 hp on the waters of this state unless the person has been issued a boating safety certificate.
• Those born before July 1, 1996, may operate a boat legally without restrictions.