Delaware Boating Regulations and Laws
The Delaware Boater Education Card (also referred to as the
Delaware boating license) is proof that a boater has taken and passed an
approved boater education course. The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife currently has a mandatory boater education requirement requiring all boaters born after January 1, 1978 to have the Delaware boating license on board when the vessel is
underway to satisfy the Delaware boating regulations.
Many boating fatalities occur because boaters aren't educated about boating safety. The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife believes that an educated boater is a safer boater.
Where can I take my safe boating exam and get my Boater Education Card?
You can write your safe boating exam directly on the Internet at BoaterExam.com™
Once you pass the exam your boater education card is mailed to
your home. In the meantime, you can print off a Certificate of Completion
that can be used as a temporary license to satisfy the Delaware boating
regulations until your permanent boater education card arrives.
Where can I get the boater safety education course material?
All the required safe boating training
material to get your boater education card is available
for free at BoaterExam.com™. Simply visit
our Delaware Safe Boating Course section
to gain access to the free training material. The Delaware
Safe Boating Course is accredited by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Where can I get more information about Delaware boating regulations and the Delaware boater education card?
Answers to most of your questions about the Delaware boater's license can
be found on our Frequently
Asked Questions page. You may also visit The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife for additional information, or you can contact
us and we will be glad to answer any of your questions.
When can I get my boater education card?
Younger Than 14 Years Old
- Not allowed to operate a PWC
14 Years Old to 15 Years Old
- Allowed to operate a PWC after passing an approved boater education course and holding a Boater Education Card. The boater must also be directly supervised by their parent or legal guardian.
16 Years and older
- Allowed to operate a PWC after passing an approved boater education course and holding a Boater Education Card.
All Boaters
- All boaters born after January 1, 1978 who operated a powered watercraft must pass an approved boater education course and holding a Boater Education Card.