California Boater Card

It is required for motorized boat operator this year if you're 60 years of age or younger.

Just got mine in the mail last week

Now I need to get a boat 🤔

Just got mine in the mail last week

Now I need to get a boat 🤔

Nice! I just mailed my test in, should get mine any day now.

Totally didn't realize I needed this until I saw something on the DMV website, but glad it was never an issue.  I do run a pretty low profile tho - 13' tinny with a 10hp Honda, not exactly an attention getter, haha.

Note: You do not need this card for a motorized kayak.

"California law requires a person to be 16 years of age or older and in possession of his/her California Boater Card to legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 hp or more, including personal watercraft (PWCs)."

My Trolling motor is 36lb thrust. Nowhere near 15HP.

Note: You do not need this card for a motorized kayak.

"California law requires a person to be 16 years of age or older and in possession of his/her California Boater Card to legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 hp or more, including personal watercraft (PWCs)."

My Trolling motor is 36lb thrust. Nowhere near 15HP.

Thanks for the clarification PnJ.

Note: You do not need this card for a motorized kayak.

"California law requires a person to be 16 years of age or older and in possession of his/her California Boater Card to legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 hp or more, including personal watercraft (PWCs)."

My Trolling motor is 36lb thrust. Nowhere near 15HP.

While I don't think non-motorzied kayaks need a boater card, I read this a little differently.  That specific paragraph I read as someone under 16 cannot take a boat of more than 15hp out unsupervised, regardless of boater card status.  Kids 12-15 can operate a boat under the supervision of an adult with the boater card, while 16+ need the boater card to operate a boat.

Seems like ALL motorized vessels require an operator with the boater card, except in a few circumstances. Rental boat, someone with mariner certs, etc. I emailed and asked if I needed one for my 10hp tinny, and they said I did, so I got one.  The answer I got: "All operators of motorized vessels, documented and undocumented, will need to have a California Boater Card to operate on state waterways."

By documented they mean a vessel federally registered with USCG, and undocumented is a state registered vessel with CF numbers.

I did not ask specifically about kayaks, but I would be very surprised if an officer gave someone a hard time about a kayak with a trolling motor.

Most of the questions on the rest were about operating boats under the influence and safe operating speeds. Basically, seemed like the nature of it was to reduce collisions and groundings.

Note: You do not need this card for a motorized kayak.

"California law requires a person to be 16 years of age or older and in possession of his/her California Boater Card to legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 hp or more, including personal watercraft (PWCs)."

My Trolling motor is 36lb thrust. Nowhere near 15HP.

While I don't think non-motorzied kayaks need a boater card, I read this a little differently.  That specific paragraph I read as someone under 16 cannot take a boat of more than 15hp out unsupervised, regardless of boater card status.  Kids 12-15 can operate a boat under the supervision of an adult with the boater card, while 16+ need the boater card to operate a boat.

Seems like ALL motorized vessels require an operator with the boater card, except in a few circumstances. Rental boat, someone with mariner certs, etc. I emailed and asked if I needed one for my 10hp tinny, and they said I did, so I got one.  The answer I got: "All operators of motorized vessels, documented and undocumented, will need to have a California Boater Card to operate on state waterways."

By documented they mean a vessel federally registered with USCG, and undocumented is a state registered vessel with CF numbers.

I did not ask specifically about kayaks, but I would be very surprised if an officer gave someone a hard time about a kayak with a trolling motor.

Most of the questions on the test were about operating boats under the influence and safe operating speeds. Basically, seemed like the nature of it was to reduce collisions and groundings.

Speedy, I read the same paragraph and understood the same as you.  As it was pertaining someone under the age of 16. 

Anyhow, it didnt take much effort, only costed me $27 and about 2 hours of my time.  Test was easy and got an immediate PDF temp card until the hard copy arrives.