Who May Operate a Personal Watercraft
It is illegal for a parent or guardian to allow a child to operate a vessel in violation of the requirements below.
- A person under the age of 12 may not operate a PWC.
- A person 12-15 years old may operate a PWC only if he or she has completed a boating safety course that is accepted by the Wisconsin DNR. (Parental supervision is not a substitute for a boating safety course certificate as with other motorboats.)
- A person at least 16 years old may operate a PWC only if he or she has completed a boating safety course that is accepted by the Wisconsin DNR. A person born before January 1, 1989, is exempt from the safety course requirement.
- A person under 16 years old may not rent or lease a PWC.
