Do You Need A Boat License To Rent A Boat?

Spending the afternoon on the lake or the sea with family and friends represents a dream day for many people. It’s a great way to beat the heat and see some scenery that connects us with nature. Unfortunately, not all of us have boats. They can be expensive to own, and if you don’t have regular access to the water, it may not be worth the cost. For these reasons, many people choose to rent a boat to make that dream day happen.

Before you rent, there are some things to know. One commonly asked question is, “do I need a boat rental license?” If you’ve ever considered a boat rental but don’t know much about it, you’re in the right place. We will cover some of the boxes you need to tick off first, and help set you off on the right foot. 

Know your state boating laws

Not all states operate under the same boating laws, so it’s important to know what is expected in your state before you set sail. If you live in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, or Florida, the Your Boat Club website will be a valuable source of information on your state’s specific rules and regulations.

Do I need a boat rental license?

Most states don’t require adults to obtain a boat rental license to operate in their waters, but some will require you to obtain a boater education card or otherwise demonstrate familiarity with boating safety. This education card may also be called a boater certificate or boating safety education card, but they are not considered a boat rental license. Obtaining a card only requires that you take an informational course before getting behind the controls of the boat. 

Each state may have unique exemptions to boating rules, so make sure to check the DNR website or contact the boat rental company to familiarize yourself with the rules before you arrive.

Do I need previous boating experience?

If you haven’t spent a whole lot of time with a particular boat or body of water, you may encounter some specifics that are hard to handle. Fortunately, Your Boat Club offers on-the-water safety orientation classes for all members. We ensure renters feel comfortable operating the boat before setting out on the water.

What if you’re inexperienced with the body of water?

Water hides a lot of dangerous topography. If you aren’t familiar with the body of water you will be spending the day on, hiring a captain can help you avoid making any costly mistakes. If you feel uneasy with any aspect of taking the trip yourself, it’s best to hire help.

If the purpose of your trip is to catch some fish or explore the ocean floor, you may want to consider hiring a captain. Not only can they operate the boat while you are otherwise occupied, but they can likely lead you to prime fishing and diving spots. 

Are there age restrictions when renting a boat?

When it comes to rentals, the minimum age to rent a boat in most states is either 18 or 21, and most companies require renters to be 21 years of age or older. Just like renting a car, even if you’re a licensed driver, you must meet a minimum age requirement in order to rent. 

Requirements for renting a boat

The rules of renting a boat stray from those applied to simply operating a boat. You are borrowing an expensive piece of equipment that can injure or kill someone if used improperly, so it naturally follows that there would be some additional requirements. You won’t need a boat rental license, but you will need to satisfy the following requirements.

First, as mentioned before, you must be at least 21 in order to rent a boat from most boat rental companies. This isn’t the case in every situation, so be sure to check local regulations in the area where you plan to operate the boat for more formal advice.

Life Vests

You may also be required to wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, or III personal floatation device or life vest. Most rental companies, like Your Boat Club, will provide enough PFDs for everyone on board, and most states require this. 

Regulations can vary based on age and whether or not the craft is tied up. For example, children under the age of 6 must wear an approved PFD while the vessel is underway, while Wisconsin and Illinois require children under the age of 13 to wear one while onboard. This is a big difference, so familiarize yourself with the rules in the state where you will be renting.

Limit operators to those on the rental agreement

Only those listed on the rental agreement will be covered by insurance, should something unfortunate happen on the water. Make sure only those parties operate the boat during the rental period. It protects both you and the boat rental company.

Controlled Substances

Most states prohibit the rental of a boat to any person deemed to be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. The same DUI rules apply to driving a boat as those for driving a car. You can be pulled over and cited or arrested for operating a watercraft under the influence, so have fun, but take it easy and stay sober. 

State-specific regulations

Depending on age, not all jurisdictions require a safety certification to rent a boat. In some states, there is a cutoff for a boater certificate or card. For instance, in Florida, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 must obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card, which requires that you first complete an approved boating safety course. In Minnesota, however, only those under the age of 18 must possess and show their watercraft operator’s permit to rent a boat. 

Since the rules for someone over 18 but born after January 1, 1988 are different from state to state, checking local regulations on the DNR website or calling us in advance will ensure you are compliant with the regulations before you depart. Your Boat Club's excellent customer service team can be reached at 612-208-1800 and can help answer any questions about local regulations for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Florida.

Stay informed

We press the idea of staying informed because rules and regulations can and will change. Every year, regulations are added, dropped, or amended. Keeping on top of these changing regulations will ensure you have the proper knowledge to rent a boat for a wonderful day on the water.

Rules may vary from one rental company to the next, so this is another place where you will want to review requirements before renting a boat. Your Boat Club makes it easy to understand the varying boating rules and regulations. Check out our Boating FAQ page for even more specifics on the requirements for having fun on the water, safely and legally.

For most boat rentals, you won’t be required to obtain any type of boat rental license, but you may have to possess a safety certification. The more you know going in, the better chance you’ll have of experiencing a day to remember.