How Old Do You Have To Be To Drive A Jet Ski?

State Requirements

Many states have their age requirements for driving a jet ski. Unfortunately, most states don’t adhere to the same general age limit as they do for road motor vehicles. Additionally, many states set age requirements for jet skis and other motor vehicles based on the jet ski’s horsepower.

Below is a list of the age requirements you have to meet in order to drive a jet ski according to each state. The states with “N/A” notation do not have age requirements due to their location, which tends to be landlocked.

• Alabama — 14 years old or older alone, or if in the company of another licensed operator, 12 years old
• Alaska — N/A
• Arizona — 12 years old or older for any motor vehicle greater than 8 hp, unless another person 18 years old or older is aboard
• Arkansas — 12 years old for any motorboat powered by 10 hp or more, unless supervised by a parent or guardian over 17 years old
• California — 16 years old or older for motorboats greater than 15 hp
• Colorado — 16 years old or older, or if a boating safety course is completed, 14 years old or older
• Connecticut — 12 years or older, except for motorboats lower than 10 hp
• Delaware — N/A
• Georgia — N/A
• Hawaii — N/A
• Idaho — N/A
• Illinois — N/A
• Indiana — 15 years old or older, or if the motor power is greater than 10 hp, 16 years or older, with a valid driver’s license
• Iowa — 12 years old or older for vessels with over 10 hp motors
• Kansas — 12 years old or older
• Kentucky — 12 years old or older for vessels with motors over 10 hp 
• Louisiana — N/A
• Maine — 16 years old or older, or if supervised by someone at least 16 years old, 12 years old or older
• Maryland — 12 years old or older
• Massachusetts — N/A
• Michigan — N/A
• Minnesota — 12 years old or older, and certified for motors 25 hp or over
• Mississippi — 12 years old or older and must complete an approved boating safety course
• Missouri — N/A
• Montana –—15 years old or older, or if accompanied by an adult, 12 years old or older.
• Nebraska — 14 years old or older
• Nevada — N/A
• New Hampshire — N/A
• New Jersey — 15 years old or older
• New Mexico — 13 years old or older
• New York — Must have a boating safety certificate if under the age of 18
• North Carolina — N/A
• North Dakota — State-certified (if under the age of 16) for any boat with over 10 hp and without an adult on board.
• Ohio — N/A
• Oklahoma —12 years old or older after completing an approved boating education course
• Oregon — 16 years old or older
• Pennsylvania — 12 years old or older for motorboat with greater than 25 hp
• Rhode Island — N/A
• South Carolina — N/A 
• South Dakota —14 years old or older
• Tennessee — 12 years old and accompanied by an adult until the age of 18
• Texas — 16 years old or older for any vessels with more than 15 hp
• Utah — 16 years old or older
• Vermont — 12 years old or older for boats with more than 6 hp
• Virginia — N/A
• Washington — 12 years old or older for any boats with 15 hp or more horsepower
• West Virginia — 12 years old or older for boats with over 10 hp
• Wisconsin — 12 years old or older
• Wyoming — 16 years old or older, or if with an adult, under 16 years old

Other Requirements To Drive A Jet Ski

Age isn’t always the only requirement you need to consider if you want to drive a jet ski. Plenty of states impose additional limitations or mandates.

For example, the majority of states require you to complete a boating education course. The course must either be approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) or be an equivalent accredited course before you can drive any personal watercraft, not just a jet ski.

Additionally, you will usually be required to carry your boating safety education license or ID card as well as a photo ID. This allows you to prove your identity if you are ever stopped on the water by law enforcement.

A few states have stringent conditions if you want to drive a high-powered personal watercraft. Florida is a perfect example; if you are under the age of 22, this state requires you always to carry your Boating Safety Education Identification Card and a photo ID if you want to drive a jet ski or another personal watercraft with 10 hp or higher.

Lastly, remember that many states also impose limitations based on the time of day or weather conditions. For example, many states don’t allow you to drive a jet ski or any other personal watercraft:

• If it’s earlier than 30 minutes before sunrise
• If it’s later than 30 minutes before sunset
• If there’s a storm warning or heavy wind present

Bottom line: be sure to check your state’s boating laws and jet ski limitations before heading out on the water to avoid fees.