Frequently Asked Questions about Georgia Boating Regulations and Laws

Q. What is the "Georgia Boater Education Card"?

A. The Boater Education Card (also referred to as the Georgia Boaters License) is proof of competency of the basic rules of the water that all boaters should know. The Boater Education Card must be carried with you whenever you are operating a powered watercraft to avoid high fines.

Q. Do I have to get the Georgia boaters license?

A. Those 12 or 13 years of age may legally operate a Class A* boat powered by a motor of 30 horsepower or less or a PWC only if they have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources, or are accompanied by a competent adult, or are under direct supervision of a competent adult.

Those 14 or 15 years of age may legally operate any other boat or PWC only if they have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources, or are accompanied by a competent adult, or are under direct supervision of a competent adult.

*Class A: less than 16 feet in length

Q. What is the minimum age to operate a powered vessel (excluding Personal Watercrafts - PWCs) in Georgia?

A. Children must be at least 16 years of age to operate a powered vessel with no restrictions on Georgia waters.

Children that are 14 or 15 years of age may operate any motorized vessel if they have passed a boating safety course, approved by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, or if accompanied by an adult.

Children that are 12 or 13 years of age may operate a motorized vessel of up to 30 hp on their own if they have passed a boating safety course approved by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Children under the age of 12 may operate a motorized vessel of up to 30 hp only if accompanied by an adult.

Q. What is the minimum age to operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC) in Georgia?

A. No one under 12 years of age may operate a PWC. *No exceptions*

Those aged 12 to 15 years old may operate a PWC if they have successfully completed a boating safety course approved by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, if they are accompanied by an adult or if they are being supervised by an adult which is no further than 400 ft away.

Anyone 16 years of age or older may operate a PWC as long as they have proper identification with them, such as a driver's license. (Name, birth date, photo and description of person must all be present on the piece of identification.)

Q. How do I get my Georgia boaters license?

A. The steps required to get your Georgia boaters license are as follows:

1. Study the Georgia boating safety course manual
2. Take the Georgia online boating exam
3. Pay for your exam
4. Print off your Certificate of Completion
5. Wait for your Boater Education Card to arrive in the mail 3-5 weeks later

For a complete overview of the Georgia online boating exam process, please visit our Georgia Boating License Online Exam Process overview page.

Q. What if I don't pass the Georgia Boating Test?

A. No problem. At BoaterExam.com™, we have a Pay ony when you Pass policy. There is no cost to retry the exam if you do not pass. You will receive your score and be allowed to review any of your wrong answers. You can then review the course material and take the exam again at no cost to you.

Q. How much does the exam cost?

A. The cost of the exam is $24.95. There is no cost to get your Boater Education Card which will be mailed to your home within 3-5 weeks.

Q. What payment methods are accepted?

A. We accept payments by VISA, Mastercard, and PayPal.

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Q. What is the "Certificate of Completion"?

A. The Certificate of Completion is a temporary proof of competency and proves that you took a boater education course and passed.

Q. When will I receive my Boater Education Card in the mail?

A. Your card will arrive in 3-5 weeks from the date you take your exam.

Q. Do I have a time limit for the exam?

A. No. The exam is not timed but inactive exams will be erased after 12 hours.

Q. Can I write the exam at any time? Day or Night?

A. Yes. The exam is available to you at any time of the day, every day of the week.

Q. How many questions are on the exam?

A. The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions.

Q. What is the passing grade?

A. The passing grade is 80%, or 48 correct answers out of 60 questions.

Q. What are the technical requirements for the online boating test?