Summer boating season is upon us and new regulations go with it. Starting January 1, 2025, a safety certificate became required of all boat operators, regardless of age, so this is the first boating season under the new rules. The old regulation only required operators of motorized vessels born on or after January 1, 1978 to carry a safe boating certificate.
Boating safety certificates are required for recreational boaters using motorized vessels, including personal watercraft. Operators of non-motorized boats, such as kayaks and canoes, are not required to have a boating safety certificate at this time.
If you have a lifetime recreation certificate or sporting license, your New York State Driver License can now become an all-purpose boating, fishing, hunting, and parks ID card.
If you don’t want to be bothered with a separate piece of paper, you can carry your safety certificate wherever you go by adding an anchor icon on your driver's license. The NYS Parks Adventure License website has an application.
Anyone successfully completing the New York Safe Boating Course or approved online boating safety course may opt to have the anchor icon placed on your NYS DMV issues document. DMV will maintain a record of your having completed the boating safety course, and automatically place the icon on your license each time it is renewed.
The advantage to this program is that you will no longer need to carry your boating safety certificate with you when boating, provided you have your DMV credential with you. DMV will maintain a record of your having completed the boating safety course, and automatically place the icon on your license each time it is renewed.
If you would like a new driver's license issued immediately, the cost is $12.50. If you would like to wait until your next, regularly scheduled license renewal, there is no charge.
The New York Safe Boating Course teaches basic boating skills and encourages common sense and courtesy to all who share the water. Boaters can earn their certificate by taking a classroom course with certified New York State instructors or through approved online courses. Certificates issued by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, America’s Boating Club, US and any NASBLA certified course from other states are also recognized. You can also take the course at waterfront/SUNY Maritime College.
Other things to know about Boating Safety Certificates
- New York recognizes the boating safety certificate issued by your home state.
- Persons may rent and operate a motorboat from a livery without first obtaining a boating safety certificate. Staff at the livery must provide basic instruction and safety information before you depart the dock.
- While operators of non-motorized boats do not need a safe boating certificate, they are encouraged to take a safe boating course as well.