Do you need a license to rent a boat in Florida?

If you want to be clear about whether you need a license to rent a boat in Florida, just read this article. We explain everything about the education requirements to navigate the Sunshine State.

Do You Need a Boating License to Rent a Boat in Florida? No, You Don’t. Here’s Why:

In Florida, you do not need a traditional boating license to rent a boat. However, specific requirements depend on your age and boating experience. 

Here’s what you need to know:

Boating Safety Education ID Card: Who Needs One?

Florida’s local boating regulations establish that everyone born on or after January 1, 1988, needs a Boating Safety Education Identification Card to operate a boat with an engine of 10 horsepower or more (updated as of February 2022).

The Boating Safety Education ID Card is a valid for-life document issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). It is not a license but proof that the person named on it completed an approved boater safety classroom or online course to navigate Florida waters.

But there are some exemptions. According to the FWC, the following do not require a Boating Safety Education ID Card to operate a vessel:

• A person authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel.
• A person operating a boat exclusively on a private lake or pond.
• An operator accompanied by a qualified person who meets the safety requirements, as long as that person is responsible for operating the vessel safely. This person can be anyone at least 18 years old with the required Boating Safety Education ID Card or a person exempt from the educational requirements.
• A visitor from a different state who possesses proof that they completed a safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) or passed an equivalency examination.
• A person operating a boat within 90 days after completing a boating safety course, carrying a photographic ID and a course completion certificate with the first and last name of the person, date of birth, and the date the course was completed. 

You could also get a temporary certificate issued by the FWC to operate a vessel. This document is valid for 90 days, and you only need to pass an exam to get one.

When renting a boat in Florida, the livery will check you meet the formal education requirements so everyone on board is safe while sailing.

How Do You Get a Boating Safety Education ID Card?

Getting a Boating Safety Education ID Card to rent and legally operate a vessel in Florida is simple. The first step to obtaining your card is passing a boating safety course.

The FWC provides a list of companies where you can enroll in a training course according to your preferences. You can take a classroom course on a statewide or local company or study lessons from your desktop, tablet, or mobile on an online course with a delegated provider, with prices from zero to $59.95.

Once you’ve completed the boating safety course, there are two ways of getting your Boating Safety Education ID Card:

• Many course providers automatically request the FWC to issue the card to all students who completed an approved Florida course. If so, you should receive your Boating Safety Education ID Card in about two or three weeks. The providers must send the FWC your information.

• If the instructor does not automatically send the request, then:

1. Obtain a course completion certificate from the provider after you pass the training. This completion proof must include the name of the course, the completion date, and your name and address. 
2. Submit a request for your Boating Safety Education ID Card to the FWC. Include your course completion certificate, name, date of birth, phone number, and return address. Submit your request via mail or e-mail to these addresses.

Since the Boating Safety Education ID Card does not expire, studying and passing the final test is a one-time process. When the document arrives, you’ll have completed a fundamental step to renting a vessel and spending the day in Florida’s waterways.

Can You Rent a Boat Without the Card?

The FWC establishes that you can’t operate or rent a motor-powered vessel of 10 horsepower or more without the Card if you were born after January 1, 1988. Therefore, in many cases, you will need a Boating Safety Education Card to rent a boat in Florida.

Are there any exemptions if you don’t have a boating safety certification? Yes. You are exempt from carrying a Boating Safety Education ID Card to rent a vessel in these scenarios:

• Of course, if you were born before January 1, 1988.
• One member of your crew has the Card or is exempt from the educational requirements, provided that person is responsible for the safe operation of the boat.
• You have a temporary certificate.
• You’re a Florida non-resident and have completed a NASBLA-approved safety course.
• If you’re a visitor, you may also use a valid International Certificate of Competency.

You’re practically ready to rent a boat and set sail as long as you can prove you have formal boating safety education. Knowing boating operational procedures will optimize your navigation day with family and friends or during your solo trip.

Other Requirements to Rent a Boat in Florida

In addition to possessing a Boating Safety Education ID Card or proof that you meet the educational qualifications, here’s a list of other requirements to rent a boat in Florida:

• Being at least 18 years old. Some boat rental companies require you to be 21 years old or older.
• Carry a photographic identification.
• Learn the local boating regulations for operating a vessel.
• Check that the boat has the necessary safety equipment on board.
• Make sure you understand the boat rental agreement as well as the insurance coverage, which should be offered by the livery.
• Inspect the vessel before leaving the marina.

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