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
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
British Columbia
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 – 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
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)
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
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
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)
Oregon
Yes
Yes
Safety Checklist and/or course
No
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)
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
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
Virgin Islands
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