---
title: Florida Boating License Requirements
description: Florida Boat Registration Numbers - Florida PFD requirements - Age restrictions - Safe speed - Diving - Accident report - PWC
image: https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/global/marketing/safe-boating-regulations-florida.png
---

![Florida Boating Laws & Regulations](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/global/marketing/safe-boating-regulations-florida.png?width=1584&height=656&name=safe-boating-regulations-florida.png)

### Do you need a Florida boating license?

**You need a [Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card](https://aceboater.com/en-us/florida)** if you operate a motorized vessel under certain conditions. Here’s the breakdown:

- **Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988** must complete a **Florida-approved boating safety course** and carry the education ID card to legally operate a motorboat.
- **Those born before January 1, 1988** are **exempt**, but it’s still recommended to take a safety course.
- The requirement applies to operators of motorized vessels **anywhere in Florida waters**.

The card is issued after completing an [approved boating safety course](https://aceboater.com/en-us/florida).

![Do you need a Florida boating license?](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2024/agencies/florida-card-angle2-hr-500-white.png?width=500&height=500&name=florida-card-angle2-hr-500-white.png)

![Florida boat registration numbers](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2024/images/images-transparentes/florida-boat-registration-bk.png?width=1100&height=751&name=florida-boat-registration-bk.png)

 

### [Florida boat registration numbers](https://aceboater.com/usa/florida-boat-registration)

**Do I need to register my boat in Florida?**

All motorized vessels in Florida must be registered through the local County Tax Collector's Office. After you register the vessel you will receive a valid Certificate of Registration, a Certificate of Ownership and registration decals. Vessels can be registered for a period of either one or two years, at the choice of the owner.

 

### [Florida PFD requirements](https://aceboater.com/usa/florida-pfd-requirements)

Florida state law requires every vessel to carry **one wearable PFD for each person on board.**

It is also mandatory that all **USCG-approved ****PFD be readily and easily accessible.** They may not be kept inside a plastic bag or protective covering. Inflatable PFD are only considered readily available while being worn.

**USCG-approved PFD must be kept in serviceable condition. If they are badly damaged, discolored, torn, rotted, punctured, or otherwise unserviceable they no longer meet legal requirements and must be replaced.**

All PFD must be worn in compliance with the USCG labeling on the PFD (regarding the weight and age of the wearer, activities it is suitable for etc.)

![Florida PFD requirements](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2024/images/images-transparentes/pfd-tag-us-on-pfd-type-5-bk.png?width=1100&height=907&name=pfd-tag-us-on-pfd-type-5-bk.png)

![03_PWC_zrs_3474](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/boater/on-the-water/03_PWC_zrs_3474.jpg?width=1100&height=733&name=03_PWC_zrs_3474.jpg)

![Aquatic invasive species in Florida](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2024/images/images-transparentes/aquatic-invasive-species-2.png?width=1100&height=619&name=aquatic-invasive-species-2.png)

![Boating under the influence of drugs and alcohol in Florida](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/pcoc2021/images/ottawa-police-impaired-boating-blitz.png?width=780&height=439&name=ottawa-police-impaired-boating-blitz.png)

### [Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD) in Florida](https://aceboater.com/usa/marine-sanitation-devices-florida)

Vessels 26 feet or more in length and that have an enclosed cabin with berthing facilities or a houseboat shall be equipped with a toilet and an appropriate USCG-approved marine sanitation device.

It is unlawful to disconnect, bypass or use a marine sanitation system that could allow the sewage to be dumped into federal waters at any distance and anywhere 3 miles from shore. 

Discharging Other Substances and Materials

It is illegal to discharge untreated waste, oil and trash into waters.

Private artificial reefs are prohibited in Florida. Do not drop concrete, steel, or anything else in the water which may constitute reefs. Dumping is considered a 1st degree Misdemeanor.

Boaters are also responsible for their vessels. 

Abandoned and derelict vessels are prohibited on state waters. Owners are responsible for removing these vessels from the water. Intentionally dumping your vessel is a 3rd degree felony. If you see a derelict vessel on the water please contact your FWC regional office.

### [Accident report in Florida](https://aceboater.com/usa/accident-report-in-florida)

An accident report must be made to one of the following authorities: the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the sheriff of the county in which the accident occurred, or the police chief of the municipality in which the accident occurred, by the quickest means possible:

- If the accident results in injury beyond immediate first-aid, and in case of death or disappearance.
- When total damage to the boat and property is of at least $2000.00.
- When the boat is total loss.

### [Reckless or careless operation of a vessel in Florida](https://aceboater.com/usa/reckless-careless-operation-of-vessel)

It may be considered to be reckless boating if the operator of a pleasure craft fails to exercise the degree of care that is necessary to prevent endangering persons or property.

Anyone who operates a vessel with willful disregard for the safety of persons or property will be cited for reckless operation (a first-degree misdemeanor).

All operators are responsible for operating their vessel in a reasonable and prudent manner with regard to other vessel traffic, posted restrictions, the presence of a divers-down flag and other circumstances so as not to endanger people or property. Failure to do so is considered careless operation (a non-criminal infraction). 

A violation of the Federal Navigation Rules is also a violation of Florida law.

### [Diving and snorkeling in Florida](https://aceboater.com/usa/diving-and-snorkeling-in-florida)

**When taking part in a boating activity in a sector where this flag is displayed, boaters must make a reasonable effort to keep a safe distance of at least 300 feet from divers-down flags or buoys on open waters, and at least 100 feet from flags or buoys on rivers, inlets or navigation channels.** Similarly, divers must make a reasonable effort to stay within 300 feet of the divers-down flag or buoy on open waters and within 100 feet of the flag or buoy on rivers, inlets, or navigation channels.

Vessels approaching divers-down flags or buoys closer than 300 feet in open water and 100 feet in rivers, inlets, and navigation channels must slow to idle speed.

**When divers are out of the water, a dive flag or buoy must not be displayed.**

### [Towed water sports in Florida](https://aceboater.com/usa/towed-water-sports-in-florida)

As a team of 3, the boat operator, skier, and observer must learn the skills for safe skiing. You should know the following before heading out: 

- All persons being towed are required to wear a non-inflatable, USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) approved by and used in accordance with the U.S. Coast Guard label.
- No one may wear an inflatable PFD
- **Water skiing and aquaplaning is only allowed from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour past sunset. Water skiing or aquaplaning is prohibited at night.**
- It is illegal to pass the towline over another vessel, as well as to navigate between the vessel and the person being towed
- It is illegal to tow a skier so close to a fixed object or another vessel that there is risk of collision
- **As well as the operator, an observer is required to be on board when a person is being towed, or the operator must ****have and use a wide-angle rear-view mirror**
- No one may ski or use another aquaplaning device while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

### [Airboats in Florida](https://aceboater.com/usa/airboats-in-florida)

Airboats are considered vessels and must comply with registration requirements and [safety equipment requirements](https://aceboater.com/usa/required-equipment).

Additionally, airboats must be equipped with a mast or flagpole displaying a flag that is at least 10 feet above the lowest part of the boat. The flag must be square or rectangular, at least 10 by 12 inches in size, international orange in color, and displayed so it is visible from any direction.

### [Environment - Manatee awareness in Florida](https://aceboater.com/usa/environment-manatee-awareness-in-florida)

Manatees are protected by state and federal law and are classified as endangered. Boaters should avoid manatee habitats and always be careful when navigating on waters where manatees could be present such as seagrass areas and shallow waters.

**Harassing, hunting, capturing, or killing any marine mammal, including manatees is illegal.** Anything that disrupts a manatee's normal behavior is a violation of law, punishable under federal law by a **fine of up to $50,000**, one-year imprisonment, or both. Boaters must observe all manatee protection zone requirements.

 **If you accidentally strike a manatee, you should report the strike to the FWC immediately as immediate care could save the manatees life and is not necessarily a violation if operator was complying with boating regulations and zones.**

### [Seagrass awareness in Florida](https://aceboater.com/usa/seagrass-awareness-in-florida)

Seagrass is a plant that lives underwater, whose leaves are out of the water, but which is rooted in the sediment. Seagrass is the principal food for endangered marine herbivores, such as manatees and green sea turtles; it acts as a natural filter to help purify the water and provides a suitable environment for a wide variety of marine life. Boaters should make all possible attempts to stay within channels when unfamiliar with a waterway and make all available attempts to avoid navigating through seagrass beds, which can cause propeller scars. Navigation charts identify seagrass beds as light green or marked as "grs" on the chart. Mud trails in shallow areas are indicators of the propeller churning up the bottom and cutting seagrass roots. Boaters should avoid anchoring in seagrass areas and know their boat’s operating depth.

It is a violation of Florida law to damage sea grass beds in some areas within state waters. Some areas will have signs posted that state Aquatic Preserve. Destruction of Seagrass in Aquatic Preserves is a violation of Florida law and carries a penalty of up to $1,000.

### [Sea turtles & Right whales in Florida](https://aceboater.com/usa/sea-turtles-right-whales-in-florida)

Florida is home to five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world. All five species are on the endangered or threatened list and are protected by state and federal law. To avoid strikes and collisions, boaters must not approach sea turtles in the water. Boaters must not throw trash or materials in ocean as trash and fishing line can be ingested and are fatal to sea turtles and other marine life. If you see an injured, dead or entangled sea turtle please contact FWC immediately.

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