Alabama Boating License Information

Certification for operators of watercraft was mandated in 1994 by the Roberson-Archer Act, (the Act) passed by the Alabama legislature.

The Act was the result of the work by Alabama Conservation Commissioner Charley Grimsley to reduce the number of deaths from accidents, boating crashes and drownings. The catalyst was the loss of three children, Lauren Archer, age 4, and Katey and Ashleigh Roberson, ages 5 and 9, whose deaths resulted from careless boating on Alabama's waterways.

According to the Alabama Boating Certification Manual, the Act requires that, "every person who operates a motorized vessel...on the waters of Alabama must first obtain an Alabama boater safety certification."

Persons operating sailboats, rowboats or canoes are exempt from the requirement; however, personal watercraft (PWC) operators are required to comply.

Prior to 1999, the first year in which the Act came into full force, there was an average of 30 deaths per year from boating-related accidents. In 1999, the number of deaths had dropped to 17, according to William Garner, director of Alabama's Marine Police Division. "The Alabama boating license policy is obviously working to save lives."

The Act sets a minimum age for operator certification. To operate any motorized vessel, including personal watercraft, you must be over the age of 12. In fact, persons under the age of 12 can't take the certification exam, nor can they operate a motorized vessel. Period. When a child reaches the age of 12, the child may take the examination and be certified, but may only operate a boat or PWC if supervised by a person on board who is at least 21 years of age, has proof of Alabama boater safety certification and can immediately assume physical control of the craft.

At 14, anyone with an Alabama boater safety certification can legally operate a vessel without supervision.

Young people who don't live in Alabama must comply with the same restrictions except that the adult supervising them is not required to have an Alabama boating license, although the adult must still be over 21 years of age and in a position to assume control of the boat or PWC.

Persons over 14 years of age can legally operate in Alabama waters for up to 45 calendar days each year. After 45 calendar days, resident or not, an Alabama boater certification is required.

Any person over 12 can obtain boater certification by several routes.

If a person holds a valid U.S. Coast Guard license as a Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels or has completed the boating safety course offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadron boating course, or any other course recognized by the Alabama Marine Police Division, he can present the certificate of completion, and an Alabama boater certificate will be issued upon payment of the required fee.

A potential operator can take an examination online or at their county department of public safety driver's license examining office and pay the $24.95 fee after passing the examination. Anyone who was 40 years old -- or older -- on April 28, 1994, can obtain the certificate by completing the application and paying the fee.

The Alabama boater safety certification will appear as a "V" class endorsement on the Alabama driver's license, and boaters must have their license with the "V" endorsement with them while they are operating a powerboat or PWC. The boater safety certification may be renewed while renewing a driver's license. Law enforcement authorities are authorized to inspect the safety certification on request.

There are temporary exemptions from the boater safety certification requirement; if you are a new boat owner, you can operate for the first 30 days of ownership, as long as the boat is registered in your name and you have a notarized bill of sale with you, naming you as the person who purchased the boat.

If you rent a boat, you can operate if you have "been instructed in safe and proper operation of the vessel by the rental business" and you are "not currently under suspension or revocation of any boater certification or vessel operation privilege," according to the Alabama Boating Certification Manual. If you haven't yet bought a boat, you can take a test drive without certification.

Also exempt are commercial fishing vessel operators "who are engaged in other valid commercial activity."

If you are a new Alabama resident, you have 30 days to apply for a boater safety certification; during that period, you are exempt from the requirement to have one.

Your boater certification can be suspended or revoked for boating while under the influence of drugs, boating while under the influence of alcohol or operating your boat recklessly.

The Alabama Boater Certification Manual also points out that Alabama has a "points" system: Points are assigned for each type of boating offense. In addition to boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol and reckless or careless operation, offenses include overloading -- too many people and too much gear -- and overpowering -- having a motor larger than that recommended by the manufacturer. Other offenses including speeding and allowing passengers to ride in places where they may fall overboard.

If you are cited for a combination of offenses and the point total exceeds the maximum permissible point total in force at the time of your most recent infraction, your license may be revoked or suspended.