Depends on state Law. Most states say if your 16 and have drivers liscence ytou can.

I boat most ly in MI, and laws there are:

If you under 16, you need to take a boaters safety course to drive a boat with over 6 H.P (I think it's 6).

You can legally operate a boat if you are 16 and have a valid Driver Liscence. If you don't have a D.L...then you need to take the Boaters safety course.

If you are 21 or older, with or without a D.L....you can leagally drive a boat...not sure why!


As for PWC (jet ski), EVERYONE in MI needs to take a boaters safety TEST...not the class. The laws are the pretty much the same though unless you are 16 and up. YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST. It's pretty easy amd can be taken online. I like this law. I cant stand people who have never ridden a jet ski. They go to a friends house and just jump on. Can't stand it.

J