California Boater Card

Haha, the most hazardous part of boating is the ramp! Always a good time watching folks who don't know what they are doing...

You got that right! I've been trying to devise a painless way to launch my AI from the A or F dock in Santa Cruz, just to avoid the crazy boaters at the ramp...

I saw that BoatU.S. Foundation has a free online course, so I signed up. The content looks fine, but every page has a 24 second timer. A page might have a single quiz question that takes you 3 seconds to answer, but even though you got it right you can't click to the next page until the timer runs out. Horrible! It is like something out of a dystopian novel.

I saw that BoatU.S. Foundation has a free online course, so I signed up. The content looks fine, but every page has a 24 second timer. A page might have a single quiz question that takes you 3 seconds to answer, but even though you got it right you can't click to the next page until the timer runs out. Horrible! It is like something out of a dystopian novel.

If you've ever been a Gov't employee, you know this hell well... Gotta love annual mandated training....

They are starting to enforce the boater card next year. Better to get it done sooner than later. Seems like another money grab from California to fine people.

Here's what I did so it was only $10 for getting the boater card, you can always use the paid education classes but why?:

https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30826

1.Request a test from BoatingSafetyCourse@parks.ca.gov.
Please include your name and current, complete home or office address. Please indicate in your request if you would like to receive your answer sheet in Spanish.

Why in Spanish and not English?

I need a Spanish to English translater to complete the answer sheet!

They are starting to enforce the boater card next year. Better to get it done sooner than later. Seems like another money grab from California to fine people.

Here's what I did so it was only $10 for getting the boater card, you can always use the paid education classes but why?:

https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30826

1.Request a test from BoatingSafetyCourse@parks.ca.gov.
Please include your name and current, complete home or office address. Please indicate in your request if you would like to receive your answer sheet in Spanish.

Why in Spanish and not English?

I need a Spanish to English translater to complete the answer sheet!

They're asking if you want Spanish. If you don't ask then they send you an English form

They are starting to enforce the boater card next year. Better to get it done sooner than later. Seems like another money grab from California to fine people.

Here's what I did so it was only $10 for getting the boater card, you can always use the paid education classes but why?:

https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30826

1.Request a test from BoatingSafetyCourse@parks.ca.gov.
Please include your name and current, complete home or office address. Please indicate in your request if you would like to receive your answer sheet in Spanish.

Why in Spanish and not English?

I need a Spanish to English translater to complete the answer sheet!

They're asking if you want Spanish. If you don't ask then they send you an English form

Thanks for the clarification.

Updating with my experience with F&G (on a sheriff boat) while on the water near Red Rock a few weeks back. 

I was in my 14' portabote with 6hp motor.  Checked all our licenses, my CA boaters card, and safety gear.  I asked about a motorized kayak, and the warden said a kayak counts as a PWC.  As such, if it has a motor on it, gas or electric, then you'd need a boaters' card.  Just rephrasing what was told to me.  I didn't cross reference his words with what the rulebook says, but they are definitely out there patrolling.

Kevin   

Anyone know which site is best to take course? I paid the $10 and next step is to choose one off the list???

Thanks

If you have time, you can order the test through the website, no course needed.  It's covered by the $10 you already paid too. Fill in the bubbles at home, mail it back to them, and they mail your card to you. Took me 2 or 3 weeks total. Open book test, haha.

If you have time, you can order the test through the website, no course needed.  It's covered by the $10 you already paid too. Fill in the bubbles at home, mail it back to them, and they mail your card to you. Took me 2 or 3 weeks total. Open book test, haha.

Thanks…

If you have time, you can order the test through the website, no course needed.  It's covered by the $10 you already paid too. Fill in the bubbles at home, mail it back to them, and they mail your card to you. Took me 2 or 3 weeks total. Open book test, haha.

Thanks…

i thought i wrote something on the first page

They are starting to enforce the boater card next year. Better to get it done sooner than later. Seems like another money grab from California to fine people.

Here's what I did so it was only $10 for getting the boater card, you can always use the paid education classes but why?:

https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30826

1.Request a test from BoatingSafetyCourse@parks.ca.gov.
Please include your name and current, complete home or office address. Please indicate in your request if you would like to receive your answer sheet in Spanish.

2. Send back test to

California Course for Safe Boating
Boating Education Unit
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

3. If you pass they will send you a certificate showing you completed the boating education.

4. Go to boater card website and apply for the card. You'll need to scan or take a picture of the certificate to show proof that you finished the application. Pay the $10 for the lifetime license and you're good.

https://boatercard.parks.ca.gov/Application

some people on this site might also have the answers for the test.........

I have a question on step 1, why request answer sheet in Spanish?  I don't speak or read Spanish language!

I have a question on step 1, why request answer sheet in Spanish?  I don't speak or read Spanish language!

"Please indicate in your request if you would like to receive your answer sheet in Spanish"

I understand it's stupid because it's in English to request Spanish but it's telling us to tell them if you need the test in Spanish. That is all!

If you have time, you can order the test through the website, no course needed.  It's covered by the $10 you already paid too. Fill in the bubbles at home, mail it back to them, and they mail your card to you. Took me 2 or 3 weeks total. Open book test, haha.

Thanks…

i thought i wrote something on the first page

They are starting to enforce the boater card next year. Better to get it done sooner than later. Seems like another money grab from California to fine people.

Here's what I did so it was only $10 for getting the boater card, you can always use the paid education classes but why?:

https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30826

1.Request a test from BoatingSafetyCourse@parks.ca.gov.
Please include your name and current, complete home or office address. Please indicate in your request if you would like to receive your answer sheet in Spanish.

2. Send back test to

California Course for Safe Boating
Boating Education Unit
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

3. If you pass they will send you a certificate showing you completed the boating education.

4. Go to boater card website and apply for the card. You'll need to scan or take a picture of the certificate to show proof that you finished the application. Pay the $10 for the lifetime license and you're good.

https://boatercard.parks.ca.gov/Application

This is exactly the process I did. Start to finish took about 3 weeks. Easy peasy!