California Boater Card is now a reality for all motorized boat operators starting Jan. 1.

There’s a new requirement for anyone operating a motorized boat either on the bay, sea or lake starting Jan. 1, 2025: You must carry a California Boater Card. If you don’t have the card while operating a boat when a U.S. Coast Guard or local law enforcement officer asks for it, you could face fines.

The card signifies that the holder has successfully completed a state-approved boating safety course and passed the exam.

According to Coast Guard data, states that require some type of boating safety education have fewer accidents and fatalities than those without any requirements. 

When the card was first introduced in California in 2018, it was only required of people aged 20 and younger. The age requirements have shifted upward by five years each year since 2018, landing in 2024 with the requirement that all people aged 60 and under must have one. 

Since then, the number of boating accidents and related deaths has steadily decreased. In 2016 there were over 800 accidents and 50 deaths in 2016. In 2023 there were 339 accidents and 33, according to the Coast Guard.

The card costs $10. There are free online courses available through the California Division of Boating and Waterways and the BoatU.S. Foundation. There are also fee-based courses, a list is available here.

There are exceptions to who must have one, for example, commercial fishing operators are exempt. People who rent boats for brief periods are also exempt. According to the state, statistics show they make up less than 10 percent of boating accidents.

Fines begin at not more than $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for a third offense. Offenders will be required to take a boating safety course and show proof of completion to a court.