Alabama

Age Requirements:

Boaters under the age of 12 as of January 1, 2002 are eligible for certification when they reach the age of 12. Provided certification requirements are met, these individuals may only operate a vessel when accompanied by a person 21 years of age or older that is certified in the state of Alabama and can take immediate control of the vessel.

Once the boater has reached the age of 14, they may legally operate a vessel without supervision.

Boaters who received certification by January 1, 2002 may legally operate a vessel without supervision regardless of age.

Course Information:

Online boating safety courses and certificates obtained from online courses, such as the one offered by the BoatU.S. Foundation, are NOT recognized by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and on-water enforcement officers.

Boaters must appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver’s Examining Office and take a boater’s safety exam which includes questions on rules of the road, safety equipment, waterways marking system and other applicable boating laws.

Boaters may also receive a certification of examination exemption by presenting a course completion certificate from an approved course such as those given by the U.S. Power Squadrons, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the Alabama Marine Police Division.

In addition, boaters that have a valid U.S. Coast Guard Motorboat Operator’s License or boaters that were 40 years of age or older as of April 28, 1994 may also apply for a certification of examination exemption.

All applications for certification of examination or certification of examination exemption must be presented to the Department of Public Safety Driver’s License Examining Office in your county of residence. Your driver’s license will then be updated with a "V" endorsement, indicating that you have earned your Alabama Boater Safety Certification. The certificate will be renewed at no charge every four years when your driver’s license is renewed. If you do no have an automobile driver’s license, you will be issued a “Vessel Only” license.

Not all courses (including the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety Course) are accepted for certification.

Other Information:

This certificate of completion is not NASBLA nor state approved and will not entitle boaters and PWC operators to operate on the waters of Alabama.

Out-of-state visiting from another state should check with Alabama law to determine requirements for operator age, supervision and the maximum allowable length of visit.

For more information from the state on boating laws, visit: www.outdooralabama.com