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Illinois Boating Laws & Regulations

Who needs to take the Illinois boaters safety course?

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1998 who operates a powered watercraft of 10hp or more needs a Boater Safety Certificate. BOATERexam.com® is a delegated provider for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

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Illinois Boating Safety Requirements

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs aka Life Jackets)

PFD Requirements for Children

All boaters or passengers under 13 years of age must be wearing their PFD while on the deck or in the cockpit of a vessel underway that is less than 26 feet in length.

Boating Age Requirements

No one under 10 years of age may legally operate any type of motorboat.

Persons aged 10 or 11 years may not operate any type of motorboat unless they are supervised by a parent or a guardian, or a competent adult who is at least 18 years old, designated by a parent or a guardian.

No one who is at least 12 and less than 18 years of age may operate a motorboat unless:

Alcohol & Boating Under the Influence (BUI)

A boater with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more shall be presumed to be under the influence of alcohol. This also applies to persons under the influence of any of the following:

Additionally, if an operator is convicted of OUI while a child under the age of 16 is on the vessel, they will face a mandatory minimum fee of $500, as well as a minimum 5 days community service, in addition to the penalties stated above.

By operating a boat or PWC on Illinois waters, you have consented to be tested for alcohol or drugs if requested by a law enforcement official. If you refuse to be tested, you will be subject to suspension of the privilege to operate a watercraft for a minimum of 2 years.

Illinois Boat Registration

The Office of Law Enforcement of the Department of Natural Resources is responsible for regulating the state boating laws of Illinois.

All vessels must have an Illinois certificate of registration and expiration decals to legally operate on public waters in Illinois.

Exceptions for the boat registration requirements include:

*Although canoes and kayaks that do not have a mechanical means of propulsion, and vessels that are federally documented do not have to display the registration number, they are still required to display the registration decal.

Certificate of Number

The certificate of registration indicates the number that must be displayed on the bow of the vessel. The certificate must be kept on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the boat or PWC is being operated.

Registration information must be kept current:

Personal Watercraft Laws & Regulations

Do not underestimate Personal Watercrafts (PWC) - they are very powerful for their small size and demand the same respect as any boat. In fact, PWC operation must adhere to the same rules and regulations as any other powerboat - including registration with the state and a B-1 class fire extinguisher aboard. PWCs have some additional requirements:

You must operate a PWC in a reasonable and prudent manner. It is illegal to endanger human life, safety, or property. You may not:

Hours of Operation

Operation of a PWC is prohibited between sunset and sunrise.

Age Requirements

Personal Watercraft (PWC) operators in Illinois must be at least 10 years of age. Persons who are at least 10 years of age but less than 12 must be under direct control of a responsible person who is at least 18 years of age in order to operate.

All persons who are at least 12 years of age but less than 18 must either complete a boating safety course and have a Boating Safety Education Certificate, or be accompanied and under the direct control of a responsible person who is eighteen or older, in order to operate a PWC.

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