CALIFORNIA – Starting January 1, 2025, a California Boater Card (CBC) will be required for all boat operators in California, regardless of age.
According to the California Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) there were 440 boating accidents in 2023. Of these, 168 involved injuries, and 30 resulted in fatalities. Only 58 of the 440 operators possessed a CBC.
The requirement is part of a broader effort to improve boating safety and minimize risks for everyone on California’s waterways.
Gov. Jerry Brown signed mandate into law in 2014
In 2014, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 941, which prohibits the operation of motorized vessels in California without a valid operator card developed and issued by the DBW.
The mandate has been implemented in phases based on operator age:
- January 1, 2018: Operators aged 20 or younger
- January 1, 2019: Operators aged 25 or younger
- January 1, 2020: Operators aged 35 or younger
- January 1, 2021: Operators aged 40 or younger
- January 1, 2022: Operators aged 45 or younger
- January 1, 2023: Operators aged 50 or younger
- January 1, 2024: Operators aged 60 or younger
- January 1, 2025: All operators, regardless of age
To obtain a CBC, individuals must complete a state-approved boating safety course and submit an application along with a $10 fee. The card is valid for a lifetime.
There are currently 16 approved boating safety courses that meet the education requirement for the CBC program. Courses consist of online, in-person, and virtual options.
Exemptions and fines
Certain exemptions apply, including operators of rental vessels, those under direct supervision of a card-holding adult (18 or older), out-of-state residents temporarily operating a vessel in California for a limited time and others.
Non-compliance can result in fines up to $100 for the first conviction, up to $250 for the second and for third or subsequent convictions up to $500.
For more information about the CBC program visit https://californiaboatercard.com/
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