For more information on the boating laws in the state of Montana visit: http://fwp.mt.gov/
Children 12 years old or younger may not operate a motorboat or personal watercraft powered by a motor greater than 10 horsepower (hp) unless accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
Youths 13 and 14 years of age may not operate those vessels without possessing a valid Montana motorboat operator’s certificate or evidence of completing an approved boating safety course, or unless accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
Boaters may complete either an approved proctored or non proctored boating safety course for certification. Montana accepts the BoatU.S. Online Boating Safety Course for these State Education requirements.
For a home-study course offered by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department, contact your regional office for the Department. Persons 13 years of age or older who successfully complete the course will receive a Montana motorboat operators certificate.
There are no mandatory educational requirements for persons 15 years old and up. However, a person must be 18 years or older to rent a motorboat or personal watercraft powered by a motor rated at more than 10 horsepower.
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.
