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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.
Important Note
The online boating safety course covers a wide range of operating laws in Illinois. For a complete listing of Illinois's boat operating rules and regulations, please consult Illinois Department of Natural Resource's website at www.dnr.state.il.us
Boating License or Boating Education Certificate... is there a difference?
The boater education card is proof that you have successfully completed a boating safety course. The boater education card does not expire and does not need to be renewed. Therefore, it is NOT a Illinois Boating License!