State |
Does your state require users to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD when operating a PWC? |
Does your state require PWC rental operators to provide any instruction or education in PWC operation prior to use? |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how much instruction is required? |
Does your state prohibit PWC operation at any specific times? |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list the times. |
Alabama |
Yes | Yes | The rental contract must specify that the lessee has been instructed in the proper and safe operation of the vessel by the lessor or an authorized agent of the lessor. The type of instruction/education is up to the lessor. | Yes | If the pwc is not equipped with navigation lights, operation is prohibited from sunset until sunrise. |
Alaska |
No | No |
| No |
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American Samoa |
Yes | No |
| Yes | sunset to sunrise |
Arizona |
Yes | No |
| Yes | It is illegal to operate a PWC between sunset and sunrise or during periods of restricted visibility. |
Arkansas |
Yes | Yes | Operators must view a PWC instructional video (approved by AGFC) and the livery shall provide the operator written boating regulations. | Yes | Prohibited between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise. |
Australia |
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British Columbia |
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California |
Yes | No | An instructional video prepared by state is made available for groups, individulas and clubs, but not required by law | Yes | No operation after sunset or before sunrise |
Colorado |
yes | no |
| yes | one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise |
Connecticut |
Yes | No |
| Yes | sunset to sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility |
Delaware |
Yes | Yes | must have a Naslba approved course to operate | Yes | sundown to sunrise |
District of Columbia |
Yes | Yes | Operators are required to check user for a boating safety certificate prior to renting vessel. | Yes | Prohibited use from sunset to sunrise unless equipped with navigational lights in accordance with the US Coast Guard regulations. |
Florida |
Yes | Yes | Liveries must provide instruction to renters on: Operational characteristics of the PWC to be rented. Safe vessel operation and vessel right-of-way rules. Responsibility of the operator, and safe and proper operation of the vessel. Local characteristics of the waterway where the vessel will be used. Operator responsibility (ethics), courtesy and good judgment on the water. Avoiding careless, reckless, and negligent operation of vessels. The effects of alcohol, controlled substances, and stressors. Navigation Rules. Maintaining proper lookout. Safe distance and speed. Operating defensively. Requirements to give way to other vessels. Aids to navigation; buoys and other waterway markers. Awareness of changes in weather or water conditions and proper responses to those changes. Waterskiing and similar activities, if applicable to the personal watercraft rented. Must wear personal flotation devices. Must have observer or wide-angle rearview mirror. May not ski between 30 minutes past sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise. Boating accidents. Causes and prevention of personal watercraft accidents. Legal requirements ‚Äì remaining on scene; rendering assistance; reporting | Yes | Operation of a PWC on the water is prohibited between ¬? hour after sunset to ¬? hour before sunrise. |
Georgia |
Yes | No |
| Yes | During hours of darkness, sunset to sunrise. |
Guam |
Yes | Yes | No specific amount | Yes | Sun down to Sun up because they have no lights. |
Hawaii |
Yes | Yes | Unspecified. Left to the operator's discretion per Hawaii Administrative Rule (HAR) 13-256-18: Commercial thrill craft operators shall be required to establish a safety instruction program for customers that includes, but is not limited to, the safe use of a thrill craft, boundaries of operating areas and the use of a personal flotation device. | No |
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Idaho |
Yes | Yes | Watch educational video and go over safety checklist. Renter obtains card. | Yes | It is illegal ro operate a PWC between sunset and sunrise or other periods of restricted visibility. |
Illinois |
Yes | No |
| Yes | Prohibited sunset to sunrise |
Indiana |
Yes | No |
| Yes | Nightime use illegal unless PWC equipped with proper lighting and obey nightime speed limit |
Iowa |
Yes | No |
| Yes | Sunset to sunrise. |
Kansas |
Yes | No |
| Yes | sunset to sunrise |
Kentucky |
Yes | No |
| Yes | From sunset to sunrise |
Louisiana |
Yes | No |
| Yes | no night time use |
Maine |
Yes | No |
| Yes | PWC may not be operated during the hours between sunset and sunrise. |
Manitoba (Canada) |
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Maryland |
Yes | Yes | Instruction and sucessful completion of a test | Yes | between sunset and sunrise |
Massachusetts |
Yes | Yes | General safe operation of PWC and all PWC state regulations addressed. Safety Rules sticker and legal pamphlet covered. | Yes | Between sunset and sunrise. |
Michigan |
Yes | Yes | A person who is not required to obtain a boater safety certificate issued by the department under the personal watercraft safety act, 1998 PA 116, MCL 281.1401 to 281.1445, before operating a personal watercraft, unless the person obtains training in the safe use of a personal watercraft from the boat livery prior to the lease, hire, or rent of the personal watercraft. The department shall provide to boat liveries guidelines for the training required under this subdivision. This is a tri-folded phamplet. | Yes | 1 hour before sunset until 8 AM the following day. |
Minnesota |
Yes | Yes | rentals are required to distribute a copy of PWC laws and to provide instrution. Must also provide safety gear. | Yes | 1 hour before sunset to 9:30 AM the following day. |
Mississippi |
Yes | No |
| No |
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Missouri |
Yes | No |
| No | May only be operated during daylight hours, unless proper navagation light are lawfully installed and operational. |
Montana |
Yes | No |
| No | Appropriate lights required after dark |
Nebraska |
Yes | No |
| Yes | nighttime |
Nevada |
Yes | Yes | Liveries must provide safety instruction and list of applicable laws | Yes | At night |
New Hampshire |
No | Yes | Familiar with a minimum of 8 boating regulations including mandatory boating education | Yes | after sunset and before sunrise unless equipted with navigation lights. |
New Jersey |
Yes | Yes | Nav rules Meeting situation crossing situation overtaking situation proper lookout safet speed Handleing characteristics of PWC Equipment req for class A vessel Oper inst for vessel being rented Operating under influence of alcohol/drugs | Yes | sunset to sunrise |
New Mexico |
Yes | Yes | Instructional checklist and review of operation and state boating laws and regulations. | Yes | Between Sunset and Sunrise |
New York |
Yes | Yes | (b) the operator of such livery, or his designated agent, prior to permitting the use by such person of such personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft, explains and demonstrates to such person by video or actual in water demonstration the operating procedure of such personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft and the use of such vessel's safety equipment; (c) such person, after receiving the explanation and demonstration required pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subdivision, demonstrates to such livery operator or to such designated agent the ability to operate such vessel and use the applicable safety equipment; | Yes | phohibited from sunset to sunrise |
North Carolina |
Yes | No |
| Yes | Sunset to sunrise |
North Dakota |
Yes | Yes |
| Yes |
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Northern Mariana Islands |
Yes | Yes |
| Yes | one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise |
Ohio |
Yes | Yes | Pass approved boating course or proficiency exam, recieve educational materials and pass exam with 90% or better. | Yes | Sunset to sunrise. |
Oklahoma |
Yes | No |
| Yes | From sunset to sunrise unless equipped with proper lights. |
Ontario (Canada) |
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Oregon |
Yes | Yes | Safety Checklist and/or course | No |
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Pennsylvania |
Yes | Yes | NASBLA approved course | Yes | Sunrise and sunset |
Puerto Rico |
Yes | Yes | For residents a the license for vessel operation is require. For non-residents a brief orientation and an ID is require. | Yes | Before dawn and after sunset. |
Quebec (Canada) |
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Rhode Island |
Yes | Yes | view a video and pass a test | Yes | 1/2 after sunset,1/2 hour before sunrise |
South Carolina |
Yes | No |
| Yes | Between the hours of Sunet and Sunrise |
South Dakota |
Yes | No |
| No |
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Tennessee |
Yes | Yes | Oreintation instruction video provided by TWRA | Yes | Sunset to sunrise and inclement weather |
Texas |
Yes | Yes | 29 | Yes | between Sunset and Sunrise |
Utah |
Yes | Yes | Owner or agent of livery must advise renter off all rules which he must obey. (This applys to all boats not just PWCs.) | Yes | sunset to sunrise |
Vermont |
Yes | No |
| No |
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Virgin Islands |
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Virginia |
Yes | Yes | Must cover laws governing motorboat operation, specific operating requirements of the PWC being rented, safety equipment requirements, reportable accident requirements, and other information as may be determined. | Yes | Prohibited sunset to sunrise |
Washington |
Yes | Yes | A rental checklist is required to be reviewed & completed with person renting the vessel. | Yes | No PWC operation between hours of sunset to sunrise. |
West Virginia |
Yes | Yes | 20 min. orientation class | Yes | Sunset to sunrise |
Wisconsin |
Yes | Yes | A single sheet review of PWC laws with signature of operator | Yes | Sunset to Sunrise |
Wyoming |
Yes | No |
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