Who May Operate a Motorized Vessel
It is illegal for a parent or guardian to allow a child to operate a vessel in violation of the requirements below. A person born before January 1, 1989, is exempt from the safety course requirement.
- A person younger than 10 years may not operate a motorboat.
- A person 10 or 11 years old may operate a motorboat only if accompanied by a parent, a guardian, or a person at least 18 years old who is designated by the parent or guardian and the parent, guardian, or designated adult holds a valid boating safety certificate or was born before January 1, 1989.
- A person 12–15 years old may operate a motorboat only if he or she:
- Is accompanied by a parent, a guardian, or a person at least 18 years old who is designated by the parent or guardian and the parent, guardian, or designated adult holds a valid boating safety certificate or was born before January 1, 1989 or…
- Has completed a boating safety course that is accepted by the Wisconsin DNR.
- A person who was born on or after January 1, 1989, and who is 16 years of age or older may operate a motorboat only if he or she:
- Has completed a boating safety course that is accepted by the Wisconsin DNR or…
- Is accompanied by another person in the motorboat who is at least 18 years of age and that person holds a valid boating safety certificate or was born before January 1, 1989.
