Boating Laws and Regulations

Illinois Boating Safety Education Requirements

All boaters between 12 and 17 years of age who wish to operate a powered vessel on Illinois waters MUST have the Illinois boating license on board when the vessel is underway to satisfy the Illinois boating regulations.

Age Restrictions

• No person under 10 years of age may legally operate any type of motorboat.
• No person that is 10 or 11 years of age may operate any type of motorboat unless they are supervised by a parent or a guardian, or a competent adult who is at least 18 years old, designated by a parent or a guardian.
• All boaters or passengers under 13 years of age must be wearing their PFD (life jacket) while on the deck or in the cockpit of a vessel that is less than 26 feet in length while it is underway.

• Start the Illinois Boating Safety Course now »
• Take the Illinois Boating Safety Test »
• Read more about the Illinois Boating Safety course and test »