VIRGINIA STATE SPECIFIC LAWS

1. Age Restrictions:

PWC operators must be at least fourteen years old. PWC operators between the ages of 14 and 16 must have proof of successful completion of an approved Boating Safety Course in order to operate a PWC. Successful completion of the PWCSafetySchool.com course meets Virginia's boater education requirements.

2. Personal Watercraft:

Persons less than 14 years of age shall not operate a PWC. Persons aged 14 or 15 must present proof of passing an approved boater education course, carry it on their person when operating and present it to a law enforcement officer upon request.

Each person on a Personal Watercraft (PWC) or being towed by a PWC must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD. Additionally, the operator must wear a lanyard type cut off switch provided by the manufacturer which will shut off the PWC should the operator fall off. PWC operators must carry a USCG-approved fire extinguisher and a sound producing device onboard.

It is illegal to operate a PWC from sunset to sunrise. You may not carry passengers in excess of the number for which the craft was designed. It is also unlawful to carry more passengers than the PWC is rated to carry.

Always carry the registration card when operating a PWC and do not operate while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The operator of a Personal Watercraft should operate in a reasonable and prudent manner. This includes being aware of other boats in the operating area, awareness of environmental concerns and respecting the rights of shoreline property owners. The PWC operator should not follow other boats closely and should not jump the wake of other boats. Remember, the operator of a PWC will not be able to steer a PWC when the throttle is released or the engine is cut off.

Reckless operation of a PWC includes: weaving through other vessels which are underway, stopped, moored or anchored while exceeding a reasonable speed; following another vessel or skier, cross the path of another vessel, or jump the wake of another vessel more closely than is reasonable and prudent; cutting between the towing vessel and a skier, or spraying or attempt to spray an object or person with the wash or jet spray of the PWC.

3. Personal Flotation Devices:

At least one (1) US Coast Guard approved Type IV (ring buoy OR seat cushion), per boat, is now required on all recreational boats (EXCEPT personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks and inflatable rafts) regardless of size. IN ADDITION, a Coast Guard approved wearable PFD of correct size, in serviceable condition and properly carried, is required for each person onboard.

All PWC operators, passengers and persons being towed must wear an approved Type I, II, III or V PFD at all times when the PWC is underway. Inflatable PFD are not to be worn on a PWC.

Each required Type I, II, or III wearable PFD must be readily accessible. "Readily Accessible" means the PFDs are stowed where they can be easily reached, or are out in the open ready for wear. A readily accessible PFD cannot be in a protective covering or under lock and key.

Each Type IV throwable PFD must be immediately available. "Immediately available" means the PFD shall be quickly reachable in an emergency situation. An immediately available PFD cannot be in a protective covering, in a closed compartment or under other equipment.

4. Serviceable Condition

A PFD is considered to be in serviceable condition only if the following conditions are met:

1. No PFD may exhibit deterioration that could diminish the performance of the PFD, including:



1. Metal or plastic hardware used to secure the PFD on the wearer that is broken, deformed, or weakened by corrosion:



2. Webbings or straps used to secure the PFD on the wearer that are ripped, torn, or which have become separated from an attachment point on the PFD; or



3. Any other rotted or deteriorated structural component that fails when tugged.



2. In addition to meeting the requirements of subparagraph 1 listed above, no PFD, including the components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, may exhibit:



1. Rips, tears, or open seams in fabric or coatings, that are large enough to allow the loss of buoyant material;



2. Buoyant material that has become hardened, non-resilient, permanently compressed, waterlogged, oil-soaked, or which shows evidence of fungus or mildew; or



3. Loss of buoyant material or buoyant material that is not securely held in position.



3. In addition to meeting the requirements of subparagraph 1 listed above, an inflatable PFD, including the inflatable components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, must be equipped with:



1. Except as provided in subparagraph 4 below, a properly armed inflation mechanism, complete with a full inflation CO2 cartridge and all status indicators showing that the inflation mechanism is properly armed:



2. Inflatable chambers that are all capable of holding air;



3. Oral inflation tubes that are not blocked, detached, or broken;



4. A manual inflation lanyard or lever that is not inaccessible, broken, or missing; and



5. Inflator status indicators that are not broken or otherwise non-functional.



4. The inflation system of an inflatable PFD need not be armed when the PFD is worn inflated and otherwise meets the requirements of subparagraphs 1 and 3 above.



5. Speed Limits and Reckless Operation:

Safe Speed:



A safe speed is a speed which allows the operator of any vessel to alter course or stop within an appropriate distance to avoid a collision, or avoid placing other persons in danger.

In establishing a safe operating speed, the operator shall take into account the following conditions:

• Visibility around their vessel

• Traffic density in the area of operation

• Ability to maneuver their vessel (stopping distance and turning ability)

• Background light at night and night visibility

• Proximity of navigational hazards both during the day and at night

• Draft (or depth at the waterline) of the vessel

• Limitations of radar equipment, such as target acquisition size, or wave interference

• State of wind, height of the waves, and currents in the area of operation

No vessel shall be operated within Virginia in a reckless or negligent manner. Always maintain a vigilant lookout for other boats and swimmers.

It is unlawful to operate any motorboat or personal watercraft at greater than "no wake" speed when within 50 feet or less of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, or people in the water. Additionally, personal watercraft must travel at "no wake" speed when within 50 feet of vessels other than personal watercraft. This does not prohibit the pulling of a skier with a rope less than 50 feet.

"No wake" is defined as "the slowest possible speed to maintain steerage and headway.

It is unlawful for the operator of any vessel to allow any person to ride or sit on the bow, gunwales (sides), transom (stern), or on the bow deck of the vessel while underway, unless such motorboat is provided with substantial guards or railing to prevent any person(s) from falling overboard. Passengers or crew aboard a watercraft may occupy these areas of the vessel when mooring or anchoring or casting off the watercraft, or for any other necessary operational purpose.

6. Navigation Rules:

The State of Virginia adopts and enforces all Federally mandated boating safety laws.

Every vessel operating in the State of Virginia shall carry and use safety equipment in accordance with U. S. Coast Guard requirements as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations. Additionally, every vessel shall display the lights and shapes required by the navigation rule.

Vessels adrift must show proper navigation lights for being underway.

7. Water Skiing:

Each person engaged in water skiing or anyone towed through or on the water behind a boat must wear a U. S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V PFD if there is not a dedicated observer, in addition to the operator, who is in a position to observe the progress of the skier. This does not apply to persons being towed by a PWC.

Water skiing (or towing of people on other devices) is allowed only between one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

A person being towed on water skis or other devices may not operate in a reckless manner or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription narcotics and illegal drugs. The operator of the boat may not manipulate or control the boat so as to cause the person(s) being towed to collide with any object or person.

8. Accident Reporting:

Operator must report any accident involving $2000.00 or more in damages.

When an accident occurs that requires a written report, the operator shall, without delay, by the quickest means available, notify the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in Richmond, Virginia, or the most immediately available member of the Department's law enforcement (game warden) force, of:

1. The date, time, and exact location of the accident;



2. Important information about the accident, including the name and any information on each person who died or disappeared;



3. The state issued registration number and name of the vessel; and



4. The name and addresses of the owner and or operator of the vessels involved.




When the operator of a vessel cannot give the notice required by the foregoing, each person, on board the vessel shall notify the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries or a member of its law-enforcement force, or assure that notification of the accident's occurrence has been given. The vessel operator must report any boating accident involving $2000.00 or more in damages.

Download the Virginia Boating Accident Report Form.

9. Boating While Intoxicated:

A boater with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more shall be presumed to be under the influence of alcohol. The penalties include fines up to $2,500, imprisonment of up to twelve months, revocation of the privilege to operate a watercraft on the waters of the state for up to a three year period, and enrollment in The Virginia Alcohol Safety Program.

By operating on Virginia waterways, an operator is deemed to have given consent to a breath and/or blood test to determine the amount of alcohol and/or drugs in their blood. Refusal to submit to a test may constitute grounds for the revocation of the operator's boating privileges.

10. Registration/Titling:

All boats propelled by machinery, including gasoline, diesel and electric motors, and principally operated on Virginia waters must be registered and issued a Virginia Certificate of Number (Registration) by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Boat owners must have at least a temporary Certificate of Number before they can operate in state waters. Upon receipt, the permanent Certificate of Number must be signed and carried onboard when the operating. If a boat has been previously registered in Virginia, the new owner may operate the vessel for thirty days from the date of purchase with a dated bill of sale and the valid Certificate of Number of the former owner. The Certificate of Number must be renewed every three years.

The number issued to a boat appears on the certificate and is to be displayed on each side of the forward half of the vessel. Decals are furnished with each Certificate of Number and indicate the month and year of expiration and the registration number assigned to your vessel. The decal must be displayed within 6 inches of the registration number on the boat for which they were issued. Only the current decal may be visible.

In addition, all watercraft 15 feet or more in length and powered by a motor in excess of 25 horsepower, and any sail-powered vessel in excess of 18 feet in length must be issued a Certificate of Title.

Vessels documented by the US Coast Guard cannot be titled or registered in Virginia.

Vessels currently registered in another state and not kept in Virginia for more than 90 consecutive days are not required to be registered in Virginia.

Registration & Titling fees

Registration of watercraft less than 16 feet length	$27
Registration of watercraft 16 to less than 20 feet length	$31
Registration of watercraft 20 to less than 40 feet length	$37
Registration of watercraft 40 feet length and longer	$45
Livery of up to 10 watercraft	$27
Livery of more than 10 watercraft	$21

* There are additional fees not listed in table

More than 1 registration card per boat may be issued ($9.00 fee for 3-years).

11. Definitions



• "Left" means port, or the left side of the vessel when facing the bow (the forward part of the vessel) from within the vessel.



• "Right" means starboard, or the right side of the vessel when facing the bow (the forward part of the vessel) from within the vessel.



• "Vessel" means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, but does not include surfboards, tubes, swimming rafts, inflatable toys and similar devices routinely used as water toys or swimming aids.




Certain bodies of water in Virginia may have local restrictions as to type and size of watercraft or motor horsepower, restricted use areas, boat speed, and times for use. Check with the local authorities for these additional restrictions.

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
4010 W. Broad St.
PO Box 11528
Richmond, VA 23230
(877) 898-2628 (BOAT)
(804) 367-1278 (Hearing Impaired)