{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-748.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-748.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-748.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-748.html"}],"law_id":79270,"edition_id":1,"section_id":79270,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-748","catch_line":"Restrictions on operation; penalty","history":"1991, c. 320; 1998, cc. 443, 537; 2007, cc. 615, 732.","full_text":"A\n\nIt is unlawful for any person to:1\n\nOperate a personal watercraft unless he is at least sixteen years of age, except any person fourteen or fifteen years of age shall be allowed to operate a personal watercraft if he (i) has successfully completed a boating safety education course approved by the Director and (ii) carries on his person, while operating a personal watercraft, proof of successful completion of such course. Upon the request of a law-enforcement officer, such person shall provide proof of having successfully completed an approved course;2\n\nOperate a personal watercraft unless he has complied with the provisions of § 29.1-735.2, regarding board regulations for boating safety education;3\n\nOperate a personal watercraft unless each person riding on the personal watercraft is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard;4\n\nFail to attach the lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal flotation device, if the personal watercraft is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch;5\n\nOperate a personal watercraft on the waters of the Commonwealth between sunset and sunrise;6\n\nOperate a personal watercraft while carrying a number of passengers in excess of the number for which the craft was designed by the manufacturer; or7\n\nOperate a personal watercraft in excess of the slowest possible speed required to maintain steerage and headway within fifty feet of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, people in the water, and vessels other than personal watercraft. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a personal watercraft from towing a person with a rope less than fifty feet in length.B\n\nA violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 4 misdemeanor, except that any person who violates subdivision A 2 shall be subject to the penalty provided in § 29.1-735.2.C\n\nA violation of this section shall not constitute negligence, be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence or be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a personal watercraft, nor shall anything in this section change any existing law, rule, or procedure pertaining to any such civil action, nor shall this section bar any claim which otherwise exists.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":283822,"text":"It is unlawful for any person to:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":283823,"text":"Operate a personal watercraft unless he is at least sixteen years of age, except any person fourteen or fifteen years of age shall be allowed to operate a personal watercraft if he (i) has successfully completed a boating safety education course approved by the Director and (ii) carries on his person, while operating a personal watercraft, proof of successful completion of such course. Upon the request of a law-enforcement officer, such person shall provide proof of having successfully completed an approved course;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":283824,"text":"Operate a personal watercraft unless he has complied with the provisions of § 29.1-735.2, regarding board regulations for boating safety education;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":283825,"text":"Operate a personal watercraft unless each person riding on the personal watercraft is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":283826,"text":"Fail to attach the lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal flotation device, if the personal watercraft is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":283827,"text":"Operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the Commonwealth between sunset and sunrise;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":283828,"text":"Operate a personal watercraft while carrying a number of passengers in excess of the number for which the craft was designed by the manufacturer; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":283829,"text":"Operate a personal watercraft in excess of the slowest possible speed required to maintain steerage and headway within fifty feet of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, people in the water, and vessels other than personal watercraft. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a personal watercraft from towing a person with a rope less than fifty feet in length.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"B"},"8":{"id":283830,"text":"A violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 4 misdemeanor, except that any person who violates subdivision A 2 shall be subject to the penalty provided in § 29.1-735.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"C"},"9":{"id":283831,"text":"A violation of this section shall not constitute negligence, be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence or be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a personal watercraft, nor shall anything in this section change any existing law, rule, or procedure pertaining to any such civil action, nor shall this section bar any claim which otherwise exists.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14404,"edition_id":1,"name":"Personal Watercraft","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13227,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:01","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:01","permalink":{"id":193771,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14404,"identifier":"4","token":"29.1\/7\/4","url":"\/29.1\/7\/4\/","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":77312,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-747","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/29.1-747\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-747","metadata":false},{"id":79270,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-748","catch_line":"Restrictions on operation; penalty","url":"\/29.1-748\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-748","metadata":false},{"id":58571,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-748.1","catch_line":"Local ordinances; operation on lakes; minimum distance from shoreline; penalty","url":"\/29.1-748.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-748.1","metadata":false},{"id":86747,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-749","catch_line":"Owner of personal watercraft permitting violation; penalty","url":"\/29.1-749\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-749","metadata":false},{"id":85718,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-749.1","catch_line":"Identification of personal watercraft rentals","url":"\/29.1-749.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-749.1","metadata":false},{"id":55748,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-749.2","catch_line":"Local regulation of personal watercraft rentals; penalty","url":"\/29.1-749.2\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-749.2","metadata":false},{"id":71275,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-749.3","catch_line":"Personal watercraft instruction; rental agents","url":"\/29.1-749.3\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-749.3","metadata":false},{"id":62036,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-750","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/29.1-750\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-750","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77312,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-747","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/29.1-747\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-747","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":58571,"structure_id":14404,"section_number":"29.1-748.1","catch_line":"Local ordinances; operation on lakes; minimum distance from shoreline; penalty","url":"\/29.1-748.1\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-748.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-748\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1991. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 320 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. Unfortunately, the 1991 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1998, chapters 443<\/a> and 537<\/a>; in 2007, chapters 615<\/a> and 732<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":86125,"section_number":"29.1-735.2","catch_line":"Boating safety education required; Board to promulgate regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-735.2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":193777,"object_type":"law","relational_id":79270,"identifier":"29.1-748","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-748","url":"\/29.1-748\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-748\/","token":"29.1\/7\/4\/29.1-748","dublin_core":{"Title":"Restrictions on operation; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-748","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It is unlawful for any person to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Operate<\/span> a personal watercraft<\/span> unless he is at least sixteen years of age, except any person fourteen or fifteen years of age shall be allowed to operate<\/span> a personal watercraft<\/span> if he (i) has successfully completed a boating safety education course approved by the Director<\/span> and (ii) carries on his person, while operating a personal watercraft<\/span>, proof of successful completion of such course. Upon the request of a law<\/span>-enforcement officer, such person shall provide proof of having successfully completed an approved course; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Operate<\/span> a personal watercraft<\/span> unless he has complied with the provisions of § 29.1-735.2<\/a>, regarding board<\/span> regulations<\/span> for boating safety education; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Operate<\/span> a personal watercraft<\/span> unless each person riding on the personal watercraft<\/span> is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Fail to attach the lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal flotation device, if the personal watercraft<\/span> is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Operate<\/span> a personal watercraft<\/span> on the waters of the Commonwealth<\/span> between sunset and sunrise; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Operate<\/span> a personal watercraft<\/span> while carrying a number of passengers in excess of the number for which the craft was designed by the manufacturer; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Operate<\/span> a personal watercraft<\/span> in excess of the slowest possible speed required to maintain steerage and headway within fifty feet of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, people in the water, and vessels<\/span> other than personal watercraft<\/span>. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a personal watercraft<\/span> from towing a person with a rope less than fifty feet in length. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 4 misdemeanor<\/span>, except that any person who violates subdivision A 2 shall be subject to the penalty<\/span> provided in § 29.1-735.2<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A violation of this section shall not constitute negligence<\/span>, be considered in mitigation of damages<\/span> of whatever nature, be admissible<\/span> in evidence<\/span> or be the subject of comment by counsel<\/span> in any action for the recovery of damages<\/span> arising out of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a personal watercraft<\/span>, nor shall anything in this section change any existing law<\/span>, rule, or procedure pertaining to any such civil action<\/span>, nor shall this section bar any claim which otherwise exists. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRESTRICTIONS ON OPERATION; PENALTY (\u00a7 29.1-748)\n\nA. It is unlawful for any person to:\n\n 1. Operate a personal watercraft unless he is at least sixteen years of age,\n except any person fourteen or fifteen years of age shall be allowed to operate\n a personal watercraft if he (i) has successfully completed a boating safety\n education course approved by the Director and (ii) carries on his person,\n while operating a personal watercraft, proof of successful completion of such\n course. Upon the request of a law-enforcement officer, such person shall\n provide proof of having successfully completed an approved course;\n\n 2. Operate a personal watercraft unless he has complied with the provisions of\n § 29.1-735.2, regarding board regulations for boating safety education;\n\n 3. Operate a personal watercraft unless each person riding on the personal\n watercraft is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal\n flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard;\n\n 4. Fail to attach the lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal flotation\n device, if the personal watercraft is equipped with a lanyard-type engine\n cut-off switch;\n\n 5. Operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the Commonwealth between\n sunset and sunrise;\n\n 6. Operate a personal watercraft while carrying a number of passengers in\n excess of the number for which the craft was designed by the manufacturer; or\n\n 7. Operate a personal watercraft in excess of the slowest possible speed\n required to maintain steerage and headway within fifty feet of docks, piers,\n boathouses, boat ramps, people in the water, and vessels other than personal\n watercraft. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a personal watercraft from\n towing a person with a rope less than fifty feet in length.\n\nB. A violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 4\nmisdemeanor, except that any person who violates subdivision A 2 shall be\nsubject to the penalty provided in § 29.1-735.2.\n\nC. A violation of this section shall not constitute negligence, be considered in\nmitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence or be the\nsubject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages arising\nout of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a personal watercraft, nor\nshall anything in this section change any existing law, rule, or procedure\npertaining to any such civil action, nor shall this section bar any claim which\notherwise exists.\n\nHISTORY: 1991, c. 320; 1998, cc. 443, 537; 2007, cc. 615, 732.","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}}