Virginia Frequently Asked Boating Questions Show
The Virginia ilearntoboat Course fee is $54.95.
You need boating education in Virginia if you will be operating a PWC or motorboat.
See the restrictions here.
There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.
You do not have to be a resident of Virginia to take this online course.
The Virginia ilearntoboat Course is approved and accepted by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
For visiting boaters, all states, territories, and provinces will recognize boating education cards that meet NASBLA requirements and Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Cards that meet Transport Canada's requirements.
The Final Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. You must score at least 90% on the exam to pass. You have unlimited attempts to pass the exam. If you don’t complete the exam in one session, don’t worry. When you log in later, you will be taken to the first unanswered question of the exam.
Once you pass and pay for the online course, you will be able to immediately print out the Temporary Boater Education Certificate. This is your proof of online course completion. You can print the Temporary Boater Education Certificate right then, and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you. This certificate EXPIRES 90 days after course completion.
The Boater Education Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the education requirements. The Boater Education Certificate will arrive within 3-4 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.
All motorboat operators using a motor of 10 horsepower or greater (including boats documented by the U.S. Coast Guard) and also personal watercraft operators (i.e. jet ski) are affected by the new law. Sailboat operators do not have to meet the requirement unless the sailboat has a motor that is 10 hp or greater (whether or not the engine is running). A canoeist does not have to meet the requirement, nor does a kayaker, a rower, or operator of other manually propelled craft. When Must I Get My Boating Safety Certificate? The requirement for boating safety education is phased-in over several years according to the following schedule:
How Do I Comply With this New Law? A person shall be considered in compliance with the requirement for boating safety education if he/she meets one or more of the following provisions:
How Do I Prove I Completed and Passed a Course? Boaters that must comply with the new education standards must be able to present to the officer a card or certificate that indicates you have passed a NASBLA approved boating course or that you have passed the equivalency exam. What if I am Only Visiting Virginia? You must demonstrate that you are not a resident of Virginia, that you are temporarily using the water of Virginia for a period of 90 days or less (your boat is registered in another state as the “state of principal use”), and that you meet any applicable boating safety education requirements of your state of residency. Is there a Minimum Age to Operate? For a personal watercraft, the minimum operator age is 14 and operators must complete and pass a boating safety course before they can operate. For a motorboat, there is no minimum operator age and there is no minimum age requirement to attend a NASBLA approved boating safety course. Youngsters can operate a boat under direct supervision of a person who meets the boating safety education requirement. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) supports NASBLA approved boating courses. Information on a classroom course near you can be found by calling DWR at (804) 367-1000 or visit the BoatUS Foundation's Courseline to look up classes in your area.
In Virginia, all motorboat operators with a 10 hp motor or greater, regardless of age AND All PWC (personal watercraft e.g. a Jet ski, Sea Doo) operators need to take a boating safety course. Take your Official Virginia Boating Test online now and be certified for life across U.S.A.
Study at your own pace
Do the assessments
Print your boating card
Take advantage of our group discounts for family and friends. Register together and get a discount for the online boating course!
All Motorboat operators with a 10 hp or greater motor, regardless of age AND All PWC (Personal WaterCraft such as jet skis, Sea Doos) operators need to take a boating safety course.
You are not required to have a state driver's license in order to obtain a boater education card.
Yes. All states that require boater education certification will recognize the Virginia Boat Operator's Certificate, due to a NASBLA-approved course reciprocity for non-residents.
For a PWC, the minimum operator age continues to be age 16, except those 14 or 15 year olds who have completed and passed a course can operate. This has been the law since 1999 and has not changed. For a motorboat, there continues to be no minimum operator age.
No age limit as long as they can pass the test. However, it is fairly difficult for youngsters under the age of about 12 to complete and pass a course. Remember though that youngsters can operate a boat under onboard direct supervision of a person who meets the boating safety education requirement.
To operate a PWC / jet ski in Virginia, everyone must be able to prove they have successfully completed an approved boating safety course
According to Virginia boating laws, every vessel must carry one wearable USCG-approved PFD for each person on board. In ADDITION, at least 1 USCG approved Type IV (ring buoy or seat cushion) is required on all recreational boats 16 feet or greater except for:
What is legal for PWC operators? What age can you not wear a lifejacket in Virginia?
If you've received a plastic, wallet-size Boater Education Card / Certificate from Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) you can receive a replacement as long as they can locate you in their database. You must go at https://www.ilostmycard.com/
Because:
A Boating License is not the same as the Virginia Boater's Card. To operate a motorboat on the Virginia waters you need to take a NASBLA approved Boating Safety Course and obtain the Lifetime Virginia Boater's Card.
Forever - they do not expire.
Only $34.95 (online course, final test and online certificate included).
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