Mandatory Boater Education: On January 1, 2018, California began implementing its new seven-year phase-in of the mandatory boater safety education law for boaters who operate a motorized vessel on California waterways. California Boater Card; Courses/Classes; California Boater Card inquiries - 1-844-421-8333; While it isn't illegal to drink alcohol on a boat, it is against the law to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. Intoxication is defined as having a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater. The blood alcohol limit for boating is the same as that for driving a car - … 2021: 40 or younger. 2022: 45 or younger On Sept. 18, 2014, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed into law Senate Bill 941, which prohibits the operation of motorized vessels in California without a valid boater card developed and issued by DBW. Boating Under the Influence: Boating while intoxicated is forbidden by California law. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 California Boater Safety Courses California’s boaters safety courses are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). 2019: 25 or younger. DBW will issue the cards to persons who provide proof that an approved vessel operator examination has been passed since January 1, 2015. How the New California Boater Law is Being Implemented. Depending on your age, you need a California Boater Card to operate a power boat in California. By 2025 all operators of motorized vessels will need a California Boater Card. The California Boater law was reinforced in January 2018 and will be implemented in a total of eight phases. The ABCs of California Boating is based upon the California Harbors and Navigation Code, Vehicle Code, Penal Code and California Code of Regulations, but uses everyday terms rather than legal language found in these laws. aged 20 and younger shall be required to carry a boater education card. Boating under the influence is a Class B misdemeanor offense, punishable with a … Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways – California Boater Card P.O. New California boating law in effect Jan 1, 2018. 2018: Age 20 or younger. Once issued, the California Boater Card remains valid for an operator’s lifetime. Once issued by the Division of Boating and Waterways, the California Boater Card remains valid for a boat operator’s lifetime. The State of California does not grant reciprocity beyond 60 days for out-of-state boaters in possession of his/her state issued boater card. The mandatory boating safety education law went into effect on January 1, 2018 and the Boater Card requirement is being phased in by age. One thing to keep in mind is that as of January 1, 2018, California has required ALL boaters aged 20 or younger to carry a California boater education card! Boaters convicted of an alcohol or drug offense or moving violations while boating must pass one of these approved courses and show their earned certificate to the court as proof of meeting their obligation. 2020: 35 or younger. The law will be phased-in for all boaters over the next 8 years. If you operate a motorized vessel on California waterways you will be required to have a California Boater Card. California Boater Card Requirements Timeline. These courses also meet the California Boater Card boating safety education requirement. Please view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) for more details. Not all provisions of law pertaining to boating are included. 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