Official Florida Boater Education ID Card

Did you know that as of 2010, all boaters in Florida who were born on or after January 1, 1988 must have in their possession a valid Boating Safety Education ID Card when operating any motorized vessel of 10 hp or more? Yes, that means if you want to rent a boat, Jet Ski or WaveRunner while on vacation you must have a Boating Safety Education ID Card. Also, no one under 14 may operate any personal watercraft (PWC) on Florida State Waters.

Planning to rent a boat and go out on the water with the family while on vacation in Southwest Florida? Seems like common sense but all children under the age of 6 must wear a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device (life jacket) when onboard any vessel.

Get your Official Florida Boater Education Card BEFORE you leave for your vacation.

Boating License or Boater Safety Education ID Card… is there a difference?

The boater education card is proof that you have successfully completed a boating safety course. It does not expire and does not need to be renewed therefore; it is NOT a Florida Boating License.

Click here to take a free online course (approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) and obtain a Lifetime Safe Boater Card. You will be able to print a temporary card immediately, and a permanent card will be mailed within 3 to 4 weeks.

Here are some boater safety tips. IG by BoaterExam.com

Written by: Nita Ettinger

Nita Ettinger is Co-publisher for Siesta Publications Inc. and the Editor in Chief for Must Do Visitor Guides. Must Do Visitor Guides provides Southwest Florida visitor information through printed magazines and the website MustDo.com. Must Do magazines are published bi-annually and are available at no cost in Sarasota, Lee, and Collier County Chamber of Commerce, visitor information centers, select Southwest Florida hotels, and wherever free publications can be found.