State Law vs. Federal Law

Licensing, Numbering & Titling Requirements:

Licensing: All motorized and non-motorized watercraft must be licensed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The types of watercraft that must be licensed include, but are not limited to:

• Motorboats
• Rowboats
• Sailboats
• Sailboards
• Canoes
• Kayaks
• Paddleboats
• Rowing shells/sculls
• All terrain vehicles used in the water
• Inflatable craft

Exceptions to the licensing law are as follows:

• Watercraft currently registered in another state and not kept in Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days.
• Watercraft documented with the U.S. Coast Guard
• Watercraft owned by the U.S. Government, except those used for recreational purposes
• A ship’s life boat
• Duck boats during the duck hunting season, rice boats during the harvest season and seaplanes
• Non-motorized watercraft nine feet in length or less

To register your watercraft in person, you may go to any deputy registrar of motor vehicles, at the DNR License Center in St. Paul. Renewals can be done online at www.wildlifelicense.com/mn/.

After completing all applications and paying the required fees, you will be issued a watercraft license certificate and validation decals. Sign your license and keep it on board when you use it. If you are operating a non-motorized canoe, kayak, rowing shell, paddle boat, sailboard or sail boat, you don't have to carry your license with you. However, if an enforcement officer asks to see it, you must produce it within a reasonable time.

Numbering: The number issued to your boat appears on your license. Except for non-motorized canoes, kayaks, rowing shells, paddle boats, sailboards and sailboats, this number (beginning with MN) must be displayed on the forward half of your vessel. Letters and numbers are to be at least 3" tall and must be black or another color that contrasts with the hull. The validation decal must be affixed within 4 inches to the stern or rear of the MN registration number.

Watercraft licenses and validation decals cover a period of three calendar years and expire on December 31st of the last year the license is valid.

Titling: Certain boats in Minnesota must be titled. A title is proof of ownership which becomes very important when buying and selling a boat. It can also aid enforcement officers in the recovery of watercraft. If your boat matches any of the descriptions below, it DOES NOT need to be titled:

• Is registered in another state and is never used in Minnesota for over 90 days at a time
• Was manufactured before August 1, 1979
• Is 16 feet in length or less
• Is a rowboat with oar locks and an outboard motor rating of less than 40 horsepower (hp)
• Is a canoe, kayak, ship’s lifeboat or seaplane
• Is documented with the U.S. Coast Guard
• Is owned by a manufacturer or dealer and is held for sale
• Is used by a manufacturer for testing purposes only
• Is a duck boat used only in season for duck hunting
• Is a rice boat used only in season for ricing
• Is owned by a resort or recreational camping area which is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health
• Is a rowing shell or scull (not an ordinary rowboat)
• Is owned by the United States, the state of Minnesota or other state, or a political subdivision.

There may be additional requirements and exemptions for titling, numbering and registration for certain types of watercraft in Minnesota. For more information visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.

Laws for Required Wearing of PFDs :

In addition to the federal PFD carriage requirements, Minnesota has the following requirements for wearing a PFD while on all waters within and bordering Minnesota including the waters subject to federal jurisdiction:

Additional Equipment Requirements:

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends carrying the following safety items in addition of the minimum requirements:

Recommended Additional Safety Equipment!

• Compass and charts
• Marine VHF radio or cell phone
• Dock lines and fenders
• Bailing device, extra line or throw bag
• Spare parts, fuses, bulbs & tools
• Extra starting battery and fuel can
• Oars or paddles
• Flashlight, first aid kit and sunscreen
• Food, water and extra clothing

Mufflers and Noise Levels:

An effective muffling system in good working order is required for the exhaust of each boat engine. This system must be effectively installed to prevent excessive noise. Loud boat noise not only bothers other operators and users of the waterways, it can also disrupt peace ashore because of sound's ability to travel great distances over water.

Excessive noise can also prevent you from hearing other boats' sound signals and warnings, and approaching law or rescue personnel. Specifically, it is unlawful to modify, equip, sell or operate a motorboat that exceeds the levels indicated below.

Specifically, no boat shall be operated if it exceeds the following noise levels:

• Boats built before January 1, 1982 must not exceed 84 decibels (dBA) during a pass-by test or 86 dBA measured during a stationary idle test.
• Boats built on after January 1, 1982 must not exceed 82 decibels (dBA) during a pass-by test or 84 dBA measured during a stationary idle test.

A Pass-By Test is usually taken at 50’. An equivalent reading may also be taken at other distances. A Stationary Idle Test is taken at least 4’ above the water and at least 4’ behind the transom of the boat.

Requirements for Waste Discharge:

• Under state law, toilets on board watercraft must be no-discharge devices. Waste must be retained on board for proper disposal after returning ashore.
• State law also prohibits the deposit or leaving of refuse in or upon the waters of the state or at public access areas.
• Federal law prohibits the discharge of fuel, oil or any oil product. All boats 26 feet or longer must properly display an Oily Waste Discharge placard. The placard must be at least 5x8 inches and placed in a location where crew and passengers can read it.
• Additionally, federal law requires all boats 40 feet or longer operating more than 3 miles from shore that are equipped with a galley and berthing, to carry a Waste Management Plan. This plan must outline procedures for proper marine pollution regulations for garbage management and designate a person in charge for carrying out this plan.

Mandatory Education, Age & Horsepower Restrictions:

Minnesota suggests that all boaters take an approved boating safety course. However, there are certain age and horsepower restrictions for some motorboat operators (see PWC Operator Restrictions for age and horsepower restrictions)

Motorboat Operator Age Restrictions:

• For operators less than 12 years of age with boat motors:
  • 25 hp or less, there are no restrictions
  • 25 hp thru 75 hp must have someone at least 21 years of age on board within reach of the controls
  • Over 75 hp cannot operate even with an adult on board
• For operators 12 - 17 years of age with boat motors:
  • 25 hp or less, there are no restrictions
  • Over 25 hp must have one of the following:
  • a watercraft operator's permit, or
  • someone at least 21 years of age on board within reach of the controls
  
  

Youth aged 12-17 visiting Minnesota may operate a motorboat if they already possess a valid operator's certificate issued by their home state. A watercraft operator's permit may be obtained by successfully completing the MN DNR's home study course. Contact them for more information by emailing info@dnr.state.mn.us.

PWC Operator Age Restrictions (regardless of hp):
• For operators less than 13 years of age:
  • Cannot operate, even with an adult on board
• For operators 13 years of age:
  • Must either have someone at least 21 years of age on board, or
  • Possess a watercraft operator's permit and be in visual supervision by someone at least 21
• For operators 14-17 years of age:
• Must either have a watercraft operators permit, or
• Have someone at least 21 on board
• Persons under 18 wishing to rent a PWC must show their watercraft operator's permit

While NASBLA approved, this course does not fulfill the course requirements for the Minnesota Youth Watercraft Operators Permit. Please contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (651) 296-6157 for more information.

Careless & Reckless Operation:

Operating a recreational boat requires a certain degree of care necessary to prevent endangering life, limb, or property. Failure to do so may be considered careless or reckless and may result in a ticket. The following are some of the general prohibitions when boating in Minnesota:

• To operate a watercraft in a careless or reckless manner
• To operate a watercraft so that its wash or wake endangers, harasses, or interferes with any person or property
• To operate a watercraft so it obstructs or tends to obstruct ordinary navigation
• To operate a watercraft within an area legally marked off or set aside as a swimming area
• To operate a watercraft loaded with passengers or cargo beyond safe carrying capacity, or equipped with a motor or other propulsion machinery beyond its safe power capacity
• To ride or sit on the gunwales, bow, transom, or decking over the bow, sides or stern of any motorboat while underway, unless equipped with an adequate railing, or to operate a motorboat while any person is so riding or sitting

• PWCs may not be operated greater than no-wake speed within 150 feet of non-motorized boats, shore (unless launching or landing skiers directly to or from open water), docks, swim rafts, swimmers or any moored or anchored boat.
• Operation of PWC is allowed only from 9:30 a.m. to 1 hour before sunset.
• When towing a person on water skis or other towed device, there must be an additional person on board to serve as an observer. Factory installed or factory specified wide field rear-view mirrors are acceptable in place of an observer. After-market products do not qualify for the observer exemption.
• A person being towed must be wearing a PFD or there must be one on board the PWC for them.
• If the PWC is equipped with an engine cutoff switch lanyard, it must be attached to the person, life jacket, or clothing of the operator when underway. You may not operate a PWC if any part of the spring loaded throttle system has been removed or tampered with if it interferes with the return-to-idle setting.
• You may not chase or harass wildlife or travel through emergent or floating vegetation at greater than "slow - no wake" speed.
• You may not weave through congested watercraft traffic, or jump the wake of another watercraft within 150 feet of the other watercraft including other PWCs.
• A "personal watercraft rules" decal issued by the DNR needs to be on the craft in full view of the operator.
• You may not operate a PWC while facing backward.

It is unlawful for the owner of the personal watercraft to permit its operation in violation of the age restriction.

Boat Speed Limits:

Boat speed limits are regulated by law for certain areas and conditions. A white buoy or sign with an orange circle and black lettering indicates controlled areas and speed limits on the water.

In Minnesota, "Slow - No Wake" speed means operating your boat at the slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage, but in no case greater than five miles-per-hour. When no speed limit is posted, operate your boat so that it will not endanger others. Always keep a proper lookout and never load a boat with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity.

For questions regarding local restrictions, see the appropriate county sheriff or visit the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/boating.

Special Activities Restrictions and Considerations:

Many states regulate other on-water activities. For your safety, and for those who may be in the water, you should always abide by these special laws.

Special Activities, Restrictions & Requirements:

• A red and white divers flag measuring at least 15 inches horizontally and 12 inches vertically must be displayed when divers are in the water. No more than 4 divers shall dive under one flag and divers must remain within 50 feet (measured horizontally) of the flag. Boats not involved in the diving operations must remain 150 feet away from the flag.
• It is unlawful to tow a person on water skis, aquaplane, surfboard, saucer, or similar device unless there is a mirror providing the operator a wide field of vision to the rear, or unless another person in the towing watercraft is continuously watching the person being towed.
• Waterskiing or similar acts are prohibited between one hour after sunset and sunrise the following day.
• Water ski tow ropes may not be longer than 150 feet in length unless a permit is obtained from the county sheriff.

Boating While Intoxicated

Operating a motorboat while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or other illegal chemical is unlawful and violators are subject to stiff fines. Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) laws are very stringent. As on the roadways, on-water enforcement officers may administer sobriety and/or chemical tests to determine the influence of alcohol on the operator. There is a more severe penalty for refusal to submit to testing if directed by law enforcement personnel.

In Minnesota, the alcohol concentration for impaired operation is now 0.08. Persons convicted of operating a motorboat under the influence of alcohol could face fines, jail time, and/or loss of boating privileges. If any of the following aggravating factors are involved, the offense automatically becomes a gross misdemeanor and penalties associated with this offense increase:

• an alcohol concentration of .20 or more,
• prior DWI conviction(s) or refusal(s) of any kind in the past 10 years
• there is a child less than 16 years of age on board.

The BWI laws apply to operators of motorboats that are not anchored, beached, moored, docked, or being rowed or propelled by non-mechanical means at the time of the offense.

Officer Authority, Compliance & Assistance

In Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and county sheriffs are charged with enforcing boating laws and regulations, as well as providing safety. In certain areas, these responsibilities are also conducted by the national park service and by the U.S. Coast Guard. These officers have the authority to stop vessels to enforce boating laws.

Minnesota DNR Officers and County Sheriffs Deputies
have the authority to stop vessels!

Boat operators are required to stop when directed by a law enforcement official. When operating in an area of law enforcement activity, you reduce speed and give a wide berth until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement vessel.

Accident Reporting Requirements

The operator of a vessel involved in an accident shall stop at the scene and assist others who are in trouble, to the extent possible without risking serious danger to their own vessel, crew, and passengers.

Boat operators involved in an accident should remain at the scene and exchange personal and boat information with authorities and other involved parties.

Promptly report all boating accidents to the county sheriff when there is:

1) property damage of $2,000 or more
2) total loss of a vessel
3) personal injury
4) a fatality

Other State Boating Laws

Often times counties, cities and districts within a state will have different, more restrictive laws. Boating laws are subject to change and it is your responsibility to be informed of the laws as they apply to you and your on-water activities. To be absolutely certain about specific boating laws in your state it is wise to contacting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (651) 296-6157, toll free (888) 646-6367.

It is Your Responsibility – Be Informed!

We provide this information as a service and strive to keep this website up to date. Please let us know of any inconsistencies by bringing them to our attention at once at onlinecourse@boatus.com. Resources for these pages include state statutes, state web pages and state approved boating guides. BoatU.S. is not responsible for any misinterpretation of the law or any change in the law that is not adequately reflected in these pages. Damages as a result of failing to abide by stated law shall not be the responsibility of BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Foundation or its employees.

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