{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-735.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-735.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-735.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-735.2.html"}],"law_id":86125,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86125,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735.2","catch_line":"Boating safety education required; Board to promulgate regulations","history":"2007, cc. 615, 732; 2013, c. 48; 2015, c. 160; 2017, c. 360.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall operate a motorboat with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater or personal watercraft on the public waters of the Commonwealth, unless the operator has met the requirements for boating safety education in accordance with the age provisions established in subsection D.B\n\nA person shall be considered in compliance with the requirements for boating safety education if the person meets one of the following:1\n\nCompletes and passes a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and accepted by the Department;2\n\nPasses a proctored equivalency examination that tests the knowledge of information included in the curriculum of an approved course;3\n\nPossesses a valid license to operate a vessel issued to maritime personnel by the United States Coast Guard or a marine certificate issued by the Canadian government;4\n\nPossesses a state-approved nonrenewable temporary operator’s certificate to operate a motorboat for 90 days that was issued with the certificate of number for the motorboat, if the boat is new or was sold with a transfer of ownership;5\n\nPossesses a rental or lease agreement from a motorboat rental or leasing business, which lists the person as the authorized operator of the motorboat;6\n\nOperates the motorboat under onboard direct supervision of a person who meets the requirements of this section;7\n\nDemonstrates that he is not a resident, is temporarily using the waters of Virginia for a period not to exceed 90 days, and meets any applicable boating safety education requirements of the state of residency, or possesses a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card;8\n\nHas assumed operation of the motorboat due to the illness or physical impairment of the initial operator, and is returning the motorboat to shore in order to provide assistance or care for the operator;9\n\nIs registered as a commercial fisherman pursuant to § 28.2-241 or a person who is under the onboard direct supervision of the commercial fisherman while operating the commercial fisherman’s boat;10\n\nProvides documentation that he is serving or has qualified as a surface warfare officer or enlisted surface warfare specialist in the United States Navy; or11\n\nProvides documentation that he is serving or has qualified as an Officer of the Deck Underway, boat coxswain, boat officer, boat operator, watercraft operator, or Marine Deck Officer in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, United States Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine.C\n\nThe Board shall promulgate regulations by July 1, 2008, to implement a boating safety education program for all motorboat and personal watercraft operators to meet boating safety education requirements.D\n\nSuch regulations shall include provisions that phase-in the requirements for boating safety education according to the following:1\n\nPersonal watercraft operators 20 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2009;2\n\nPersonal watercraft operators 35 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2010;3\n\nPersonal watercraft operators 50 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2011;4\n\nAll personal watercraft operators, regardless of age, to meet the requirements by July 1, 2012;5\n\nMotorboat operators 20 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2011;6\n\nMotorboat operators 30 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2012;7\n\nMotorboat operators 40 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2013;8\n\nMotorboat operators 45 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2014;9\n\nMotorboat operators 50 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2015; and10\n\nAll motorboat operators, regardless of age, to meet the requirements by July 1, 2016.E\n\nSuch regulations may include, but not be limited to, provisions for compliance, statewide availability of NASBLA-approved courses including through the Internet, the issuance of certificates to document successful course completion, duplicate certificates, recordkeeping, requirements for course providers, instructor certification, student name and address changes, equivalency exam criteria, provisions for an open-book test for classroom based courses, requirements for motorboat rental and leasing businesses, issuance of a temporary operator’s certificate, and the establishment of fees (not to exceed the cost of giving such instruction for each person participating in and receiving the instruction) for boating safety courses and certificates.F\n\nThe Board shall consult and coordinate with the boating public, professional organizations for recreational boating safety, and the boating retail, leasing, and dealer business community in the promulgation of such regulations.G\n\nThe Department shall, by July 1, 2018, establish and thereafter shall maintain a database listing every person who, at any time prior to that date, has completed and passed a boating safety course pursuant to subdivision B 1. The database shall list each person’s full name and date of birth and the date on which he passed the safety course, and it shall allow any person who completes and passes the course after July 1, 2018, to add his own information. The Department shall make the database available to law-enforcement officers and, to the extent possible or appropriate, shall maintain the confidentiality of information in the database.H\n\nAny person who operates a motorboat on the waters of the Commonwealth shall, upon the request of a law-enforcement officer, present to the officer evidence in physical or electronic form that he has complied with subsection B. The law-enforcement officer shall not issue a citation until he has checked the boating safety course passage database created pursuant to subsection G. The listing of the operator in such database shall constitute satisfactory evidence that he has complied with subsection B.I\n\nAny person who violates any provision of this section or any regulation promulgated hereunder shall be subject to a civil penalty of $100. All civil penalties assessed under this section shall be deposited in the Motorboat and Water Safety Fund of the Game Protection Fund and used as provided for in § 29.1-701.J\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to law-enforcement officers while they are engaged in the performance of their official duties.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":308415,"text":"No person shall operate a motorboat with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater or personal watercraft on the public waters of the Commonwealth, unless the operator has met the requirements for boating safety education in accordance with the age provisions established in subsection D.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":308416,"text":"A person shall be considered in compliance with the requirements for boating safety education if the person meets one of the following:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":308417,"text":"Completes and passes a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and accepted by the Department;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":308418,"text":"Passes a proctored equivalency examination that tests the knowledge of information included in the curriculum of an approved course;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":308419,"text":"Possesses a valid license to operate a vessel issued to maritime personnel by the United States Coast Guard or a marine certificate issued by the Canadian government;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":308420,"text":"Possesses a state-approved nonrenewable temporary operator’s certificate to operate a motorboat for 90 days that was issued with the certificate of number for the motorboat, if the boat is new or was sold with a transfer of ownership;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":308421,"text":"Possesses a rental or lease agreement from a motorboat rental or leasing business, which lists the person as the authorized operator of the motorboat;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":308422,"text":"Operates the motorboat under onboard direct supervision of a person who meets the requirements of this section;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":308423,"text":"Demonstrates that he is not a resident, is temporarily using the waters of Virginia for a period not to exceed 90 days, and meets any applicable boating safety education requirements of the state of residency, or possesses a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"B8"},"9":{"id":308424,"text":"Has assumed operation of the motorboat due to the illness or physical impairment of the initial operator, and is returning the motorboat to shore in order to provide assistance or care for the operator;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"B8","prefix_anchor":"B8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"B9"},"10":{"id":308425,"text":"Is registered as a commercial fisherman pursuant to § 28.2-241 or a person who is under the onboard direct supervision of the commercial fisherman while operating the commercial fisherman’s boat;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"B9","prefix_anchor":"B9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B8","next_prefix":"B10"},"11":{"id":308426,"text":"Provides documentation that he is serving or has qualified as a surface warfare officer or enlisted surface warfare specialist in the United States Navy; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"B10","prefix_anchor":"B10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B9","next_prefix":"B11"},"12":{"id":308427,"text":"Provides documentation that he is serving or has qualified as an Officer of the Deck Underway, boat coxswain, boat officer, boat operator, watercraft operator, or Marine Deck Officer in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, United States Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"B11","prefix_anchor":"B11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B10","next_prefix":"C"},"13":{"id":308428,"text":"The Board shall promulgate regulations by July 1, 2008, to implement a boating safety education program for all motorboat and personal watercraft operators to meet boating safety education requirements.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B11","next_prefix":"D"},"14":{"id":308429,"text":"Such regulations shall include provisions that phase-in the requirements for boating safety education according to the following:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"15":{"id":308430,"text":"Personal watercraft operators 20 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2009;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"16":{"id":308431,"text":"Personal watercraft operators 35 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2010;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"17":{"id":308432,"text":"Personal watercraft operators 50 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2011;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"D4"},"18":{"id":308433,"text":"All personal watercraft operators, regardless of age, to meet the requirements by July 1, 2012;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"D4","prefix_anchor":"D4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"D5"},"19":{"id":308434,"text":"Motorboat operators 20 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2011;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"D5","prefix_anchor":"D5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D4","next_prefix":"D6"},"20":{"id":308435,"text":"Motorboat operators 30 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2012;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"D6","prefix_anchor":"D6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D5","next_prefix":"D7"},"21":{"id":308436,"text":"Motorboat operators 40 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2013;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"D7","prefix_anchor":"D7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D6","next_prefix":"D8"},"22":{"id":308437,"text":"Motorboat operators 45 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2014;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"D8","prefix_anchor":"D8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D7","next_prefix":"D9"},"23":{"id":308438,"text":"Motorboat operators 50 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2015; and","type":"section","prefixes":["D","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"D9","prefix_anchor":"D9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D8","next_prefix":"D10"},"24":{"id":308439,"text":"All motorboat operators, regardless of age, to meet the requirements by July 1, 2016.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"D10","prefix_anchor":"D10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D9","next_prefix":"E"},"25":{"id":308440,"text":"Such regulations may include, but not be limited to, provisions for compliance, statewide availability of NASBLA-approved courses including through the Internet, the issuance of certificates to document successful course completion, duplicate certificates, recordkeeping, requirements for course providers, instructor certification, student name and address changes, equivalency exam criteria, provisions for an open-book test for classroom based courses, requirements for motorboat rental and leasing businesses, issuance of a temporary operator’s certificate, and the establishment of fees (not to exceed the cost of giving such instruction for each person participating in and receiving the instruction) for boating safety courses and certificates.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D10","next_prefix":"F"},"26":{"id":308441,"text":"The Board shall consult and coordinate with the boating public, professional organizations for recreational boating safety, and the boating retail, leasing, and dealer business community in the promulgation of such regulations.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"27":{"id":308442,"text":"The Department shall, by July 1, 2018, establish and thereafter shall maintain a database listing every person who, at any time prior to that date, has completed and passed a boating safety course pursuant to subdivision B 1. The database shall list each person’s full name and date of birth and the date on which he passed the safety course, and it shall allow any person who completes and passes the course after July 1, 2018, to add his own information. The Department shall make the database available to law-enforcement officers and, to the extent possible or appropriate, shall maintain the confidentiality of information in the database.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"28":{"id":308443,"text":"Any person who operates a motorboat on the waters of the Commonwealth shall, upon the request of a law-enforcement officer, present to the officer evidence in physical or electronic form that he has complied with subsection B. The law-enforcement officer shall not issue a citation until he has checked the boating safety course passage database created pursuant to subsection G. The listing of the operator in such database shall constitute satisfactory evidence that he has complied with subsection B.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"29":{"id":308444,"text":"Any person who violates any provision of this section or any regulation promulgated hereunder shall be subject to a civil penalty of $100. All civil penalties assessed under this section shall be deposited in the Motorboat and Water Safety Fund of the Game Protection Fund and used as provided for in § 29.1-701.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"30":{"id":308445,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to law-enforcement officers while they are engaged in the performance of their official duties.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13558,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boating Safety","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13227,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:14","permalink":{"id":193641,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13558,"identifier":"3","token":"29.1\/7\/3","url":"\/29.1\/7\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13227,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boating Laws","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12934,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","permalink":{"id":193453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13227,"identifier":"7","token":"29.1\/7","url":"\/29.1\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12934,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating","identifier":"29.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","permalink":{"id":192277,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12934,"identifier":"29.1","token":"29.1","url":"\/29.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55333,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-734","catch_line":"Authorization for and placing of markers in waters of the Commonwealth used for public swimming areas; no motorboating, waterskiing in marked area","url":"\/29.1-734\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-734","metadata":false},{"id":73163,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-734.1","catch_line":"Skin and scuba divers","url":"\/29.1-734.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-734.1","metadata":false},{"id":81705,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735","catch_line":"Regulations for vessel operation and equipment","url":"\/29.1-735\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735","metadata":false},{"id":68939,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735.1","catch_line":"Board authorized to promulgate regulations for seaplanes","url":"\/29.1-735.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735.1","metadata":false},{"id":86125,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735.2","catch_line":"Boating safety education required; Board to promulgate regulations","url":"\/29.1-735.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735.2","metadata":false},{"id":68371,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735.3","catch_line":"Regulation of parasail operators","url":"\/29.1-735.3\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735.3","metadata":false},{"id":79496,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-736","catch_line":"Boat rentals; equipment; safety course","url":"\/29.1-736\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-736","metadata":false},{"id":82900,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-737","catch_line":"Muffling devices","url":"\/29.1-737\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-737","metadata":false},{"id":87020,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738","catch_line":"Operating boat or manipulating water skis, etc., in reckless manner or while intoxicated, etc","url":"\/29.1-738\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738","metadata":false},{"id":62377,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.01","catch_line":"Operating boat in an improper manner; penalty","url":"\/29.1-738.01\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.01","metadata":false},{"id":60518,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.02","catch_line":"Persons under age twenty-one operating watercraft after illegally consuming alcohol; penalty","url":"\/29.1-738.02\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.02","metadata":false},{"id":58643,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.03","catch_line":"Reckless operation of a personal watercraft","url":"\/29.1-738.03\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.03","metadata":false},{"id":59608,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.1","catch_line":"Analysis of breath to determine alcohol content of blood","url":"\/29.1-738.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.1","metadata":false},{"id":60579,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.2","catch_line":"Consent to blood or breath test","url":"\/29.1-738.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.2","metadata":false},{"id":82349,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.3","catch_line":"Presumptions from alcohol or drug content","url":"\/29.1-738.3\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.3","metadata":false},{"id":87092,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.4","catch_line":"Additional penalty for reckless or intoxicated operation of a watercraft or motorboat","url":"\/29.1-738.4\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.4","metadata":false},{"id":66297,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.5","catch_line":"Participation in rehabilitation program","url":"\/29.1-738.5\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.5","metadata":false},{"id":87081,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-738.6","catch_line":"When arrested person operating a vessel; how vessel removed from scene of arrest","url":"\/29.1-738.6\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-738.6","metadata":false},{"id":85727,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-739","catch_line":"Duty of operator involved in collision, accident or other casualty; immunity from liability; report of collision, etc.; summons in lieu of arrest","url":"\/29.1-739\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-739","metadata":false},{"id":54521,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-739.1","catch_line":"Disregarding signal by law-enforcement officer to stop; attempts to elude; penalty","url":"\/29.1-739.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-739.1","metadata":false},{"id":83534,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-739.2","catch_line":"Conservation police officers to patrol lakes","url":"\/29.1-739.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-739.2","metadata":false},{"id":78906,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-740","catch_line":"Duty to stop and render assistance; penalties for violations","url":"\/29.1-740\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-740","metadata":false},{"id":73273,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-741","catch_line":"Furnishing information to agency of United States","url":"\/29.1-741\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-741","metadata":false},{"id":63883,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-742","catch_line":"Towing water skis, surfboards, etc","url":"\/29.1-742\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-742","metadata":false},{"id":76164,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-743","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/29.1-743\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-743","metadata":false},{"id":60382,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-744","catch_line":"Local regulation; application for placement or removal of \"no wake\" buoys, etc","url":"\/29.1-744\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-744","metadata":false},{"id":84734,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-744.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/29.1-744.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-744.1","metadata":false},{"id":56497,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-744.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/29.1-744.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-744.2","metadata":false},{"id":58749,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-744.3","catch_line":"Slacken speed and control wakes near structures","url":"\/29.1-744.3\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-744.3","metadata":false},{"id":59480,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-744.4","catch_line":"\"Pass-through\" zones; local ordinances; penalties","url":"\/29.1-744.4\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-744.4","metadata":false},{"id":65520,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-745","catch_line":"Enforcement of chapter; vessels displaying Coast Guard inspection decal","url":"\/29.1-745\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-745","metadata":false},{"id":76264,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-746","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/29.1-746\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-746","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":68939,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735.1","catch_line":"Board authorized to promulgate regulations for seaplanes","url":"\/29.1-735.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68371,"structure_id":13558,"section_number":"29.1-735.3","catch_line":"Regulation of parasail operators","url":"\/29.1-735.3\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-735.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2007. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 615<\/a> and 732<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2013, chapter 48<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 160<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 360<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":72149,"section_number":"18.2-146.2","catch_line":"Interference with commercial fishing vessels or activity; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-146.2\/"},{"id":84527,"section_number":"29.1-576.1","catch_line":"Zebra mussels; education program","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-576.1\/"},{"id":79270,"section_number":"29.1-748","catch_line":"Restrictions on operation; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-748\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56652,"section_number":"28.2-241","catch_line":"Registration of commercial fishermen required; exemption; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-241\/"}],"permalink":{"id":193659,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86125,"identifier":"29.1-735.2","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735.2","url":"\/29.1-735.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-735.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/3\/29.1-735.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Boating safety education required; Board to promulgate regulations","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-735.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No person shall operate<\/span> a motorboat<\/span> with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater or personal watercraft<\/span> on the public waters of the Commonwealth<\/span>, unless the operator has met the requirements for boating safety education in accordance with the age provisions established in subsection D. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A person shall be considered in compliance with the requirements for boating safety education if the person meets one of the following: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Completes and passes a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law<\/span> Administrators (NASBLA) and accepted by the Department<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Passes a proctored equivalency examination that tests the knowledge of information included in the curriculum of an approved course; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Possesses a valid license to operate<\/span> a vessel<\/span> issued to maritime personnel by the United States Coast Guard or a marine certificate issued by the Canadian government; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Possesses a state-approved nonrenewable temporary operator’s certificate to operate<\/span> a motorboat<\/span> for 90 days that was issued with the certificate of number for the motorboat<\/span>, if the boat is new or was sold with a transfer of ownership; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Possesses a rental or lease agreement from a motorboat<\/span> rental or leasing business, which lists the person as the authorized operator of the motorboat<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Operates<\/span> the motorboat<\/span> under onboard direct supervision of a person who meets the requirements of this section; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Demonstrates that he is not a resident, is temporarily using the waters of Virginia for a period not to exceed 90 days, and meets any applicable boating safety education requirements of the state of residency, or possesses a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Has assumed operation of the motorboat<\/span> due to the illness or physical impairment of the initial operator, and is returning the motorboat<\/span> to shore in order<\/span> to provide assistance or care for the operator; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Is registered as a commercial fisherman pursuant to § 28.2-241<\/a> or a person who is under the onboard direct supervision of the commercial fisherman while operating the commercial fisherman’s boat; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Provides documentation that he is serving or has qualified as a surface warfare officer or enlisted surface warfare specialist in the United States Navy; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Provides documentation that he is serving or has qualified as an Officer of the Deck Underway, boat coxswain, boat officer, boat operator, watercraft operator, or Marine Deck Officer in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, United States Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Board<\/span> shall promulgate regulations<\/span> by July 1, 2008, to implement a boating safety education program for all motorboat<\/span> and personal watercraft<\/span> operators to meet boating safety education requirements. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Such regulations<\/span> shall include provisions that phase-in the requirements for boating safety education according to the following: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Personal watercraft<\/span> operators 20 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2009; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Personal watercraft<\/span> operators 35 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2010; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Personal watercraft<\/span> operators 50 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2011; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> All personal watercraft<\/span> operators, regardless of age, to meet the requirements by July 1, 2012; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Motorboat<\/span> operators 20 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2011; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Motorboat<\/span> operators 30 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2012; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Motorboat<\/span> operators 40 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2013; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Motorboat<\/span> operators 45 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2014; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Motorboat<\/span> operators 50 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by July 1, 2015; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> All motorboat<\/span> operators, regardless of age, to meet the requirements by July 1, 2016. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Such regulations<\/span> may include, but not be limited to, provisions for compliance, statewide availability of NASBLA-approved courses including through the Internet, the issuance of certificates to document successful course completion, duplicate certificates, recordkeeping, requirements for course providers, instructor certification, student name and address changes, equivalency exam criteria, provisions for an open-book test for classroom based courses, requirements for motorboat<\/span> rental and leasing businesses, issuance of a temporary operator’s certificate, and the establishment of fees (not to exceed the cost of giving such instruction for each person participating in and receiving the instruction) for boating safety courses and certificates. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The Board<\/span> shall consult and coordinate with the boating public, professional organizations for recreational boating safety, and the boating retail, leasing, and dealer business community in the promulgation of such regulations<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall, by July 1, 2018, establish and thereafter shall maintain a database listing every person who, at any time prior to that date, has completed and passed a boating safety course pursuant to subdivision B 1. The database shall list each person’s full name and date of birth and the date on which he passed the safety course, and it shall allow any person who completes and passes the course after July 1, 2018, to add his own information. The Department<\/span> shall make the database available to law<\/span>-enforcement officers and, to the extent possible or appropriate, shall maintain the confidentiality of information in the database. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> Any person who operates<\/span> a motorboat<\/span> on the waters of the Commonwealth<\/span> shall, upon the request of a law<\/span>-enforcement officer, present to the officer evidence<\/span> in physical or electronic form that he has complied with subsection B. The law<\/span>-enforcement officer shall not issue<\/span> a citation<\/span> until he has checked the boating safety course passage database created pursuant to subsection G. The listing of the operator in such database shall constitute satisfactory evidence<\/span> that he has complied with subsection B. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> Any person who violates any provision of this section or any regulation<\/span> promulgated hereunder shall be subject to a civil penalty<\/span> of $100. All civil penalties assessed under this section shall be deposited in the Motorboat<\/span> and Water Safety Fund of the Game<\/span> Protection Fund and used as provided for in § 29.1-701<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

J.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to law<\/span>-enforcement officers while they are engaged in the performance of their official duties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nBOATING SAFETY EDUCATION REQUIRED; BOARD TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS (\u00a7\n29.1-735.2)\n\nA. No person shall operate a motorboat with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater\nor personal watercraft on the public waters of the Commonwealth, unless the\noperator has met the requirements for boating safety education in accordance\nwith the age provisions established in subsection D.\n\nB. A person shall be considered in compliance with the requirements for boating\nsafety education if the person meets one of the following:\n\n 1. Completes and passes a boating safety course approved by the National\n Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and accepted by the\n Department;\n\n 2. Passes a proctored equivalency examination that tests the knowledge of\n information included in the curriculum of an approved course;\n\n 3. Possesses a valid license to operate a vessel issued to maritime personnel\n by the United States Coast Guard or a marine certificate issued by the\n Canadian government;\n\n 4. Possesses a state-approved nonrenewable temporary operator’s\n certificate to operate a motorboat for 90 days that was issued with the\n certificate of number for the motorboat, if the boat is new or was sold with a\n transfer of ownership;\n\n 5. Possesses a rental or lease agreement from a motorboat rental or leasing\n business, which lists the person as the authorized operator of the motorboat;\n\n 6. Operates the motorboat under onboard direct supervision of a person who\n meets the requirements of this section;\n\n 7. Demonstrates that he is not a resident, is temporarily using the waters of\n Virginia for a period not to exceed 90 days, and meets any applicable boating\n safety education requirements of the state of residency, or possesses a\n Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card;\n\n 8. Has assumed operation of the motorboat due to the illness or physical\n impairment of the initial operator, and is returning the motorboat to shore in\n order to provide assistance or care for the operator;\n\n 9. Is registered as a commercial fisherman pursuant to § 28.2-241 or a\n person who is under the onboard direct supervision of the commercial fisherman\n while operating the commercial fisherman’s boat;\n\n 10. Provides documentation that he is serving or has qualified as a surface\n warfare officer or enlisted surface warfare specialist in the United States\n Navy; or\n\n 11. Provides documentation that he is serving or has qualified as an Officer\n of the Deck Underway, boat coxswain, boat officer, boat operator, watercraft\n operator, or Marine Deck Officer in any branch of the Armed Forces of the\n United States, United States Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine.\n\nC. The Board shall promulgate regulations by July 1, 2008, to implement a\nboating safety education program for all motorboat and personal watercraft\noperators to meet boating safety education requirements.\n\nD. Such regulations shall include provisions that phase-in the requirements for\nboating safety education according to the following:\n\n 1. Personal watercraft operators 20 years of age or younger to meet the\n requirements by July 1, 2009;\n\n 2. Personal watercraft operators 35 years of age or younger to meet the\n requirements by July 1, 2010;\n\n 3. Personal watercraft operators 50 years of age or younger to meet the\n requirements by July 1, 2011;\n\n 4. All personal watercraft operators, regardless of age, to meet the\n requirements by July 1, 2012;\n\n 5. Motorboat operators 20 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by\n July 1, 2011;\n\n 6. Motorboat operators 30 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by\n July 1, 2012;\n\n 7. Motorboat operators 40 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by\n July 1, 2013;\n\n 8. Motorboat operators 45 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by\n July 1, 2014;\n\n 9. Motorboat operators 50 years of age or younger to meet the requirements by\n July 1, 2015; and\n\n 10. All motorboat operators, regardless of age, to meet the requirements by\n July 1, 2016.\n\nE. Such regulations may include, but not be limited to, provisions for\ncompliance, statewide availability of NASBLA-approved courses including through\nthe Internet, the issuance of certificates to document successful course\ncompletion, duplicate certificates, recordkeeping, requirements for course\nproviders, instructor certification, student name and address changes,\nequivalency exam criteria, provisions for an open-book test for classroom based\ncourses, requirements for motorboat rental and leasing businesses, issuance of a\ntemporary operator’s certificate, and the establishment of fees (not to\nexceed the cost of giving such instruction for each person participating in and\nreceiving the instruction) for boating safety courses and certificates.\n\nF. The Board shall consult and coordinate with the boating public, professional\norganizations for recreational boating safety, and the boating retail, leasing,\nand dealer business community in the promulgation of such regulations.\n\nG. The Department shall, by July 1, 2018, establish and thereafter shall\nmaintain a database listing every person who, at any time prior to that date,\nhas completed and passed a boating safety course pursuant to subdivision B 1.\nThe database shall list each person’s full name and date of birth and the\ndate on which he passed the safety course, and it shall allow any person who\ncompletes and passes the course after July 1, 2018, to add his own information.\nThe Department shall make the database available to law-enforcement officers\nand, to the extent possible or appropriate, shall maintain the confidentiality\nof information in the database.\n\nH. Any person who operates a motorboat on the waters of the Commonwealth shall,\nupon the request of a law-enforcement officer, present to the officer evidence\nin physical or electronic form that he has complied with subsection B. The\nlaw-enforcement officer shall not issue a citation until he has checked the\nboating safety course passage database created pursuant to subsection G. The\nlisting of the operator in such database shall constitute satisfactory evidence\nthat he has complied with subsection B.\n\nI. Any person who violates any provision of this section or any regulation\npromulgated hereunder shall be subject to a civil penalty of $100. All civil\npenalties assessed under this section shall be deposited in the Motorboat and\nWater Safety Fund of the Game Protection Fund and used as provided for in §\n29.1-701.\n\nJ. The provisions of this section shall not apply to law-enforcement officers\nwhile they are engaged in the performance of their official duties.\n\nHISTORY: 2007, cc. 615, 732; 2013, c. 48; 2015, c. 160; 2017, c. 360.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}