Nevada Boating License Overview
All operators of motorized vessels on Nevada waters must carry the boater safety card issued by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). Among other things, the card certifies that the operator has successfully taken a boater safety course. There is no minimum age to take the course or receive the card. Any operator 12 years or older must have the card while operating a motorized boat. Those 14 years or older who have a valid person operator card or water jet ski operator card from another state do not need to take the safety course or obtain a Nevada card. Those 12 and 13 years old must be supervised by a person at least 18 years of age who has a valid person operator card, water jet ski operator card or boating safety course card.
Navigating, towing and pulling skiers behind a vessel is generally prohibited for those under 14 years of age. However , an owner or other adult occupant of a vessel on whose behalf a ski tow is being operated may allow a person 12 to 14 years of age to do so. But that operator may do so only: (1) if the owner or occupant has successfully completed a certified boating safety course and has a boating safety certificate in their possession; or (2) the operator has successfully completed a boating safety course and has a boating safety certificate in their possession or immediate physical access, and the owner or occupant has a reasonable belief that the operator understands the operator responsibilities and privileges in the course.
Those at least 16 years old and possessing the skills to drive a boat, such as by holding a person operator card or taking a boating safety course, may operate vessels pulling a ski, person, object, inflatable or intensified tube.
Safety Gear Requirements
Beyond the basic requirements for a boat registration and general navigational rules, there are mandatory pieces of safety equipment that must be present on any boat that is legally permitted to operate in Nevada waters. The state has heavily invested in education and advocacy for boating safety, and strictly enforces laws regarding equipment that is required on all boats.
The list of mandatory equipment requirements is provided below for quick reference, but consult the Nevada Boating and Personal Watercraft Safety Laws and Regulations Handbook for a comprehensive guide to Nevada regulations. This handbook distributes a substantial amount of information about the laws and safety best practices, and is an easy way to obtain the information you need to safely operate a boat with confidence.
- Personal Flotation Device (PFD): All vessels must have an appropriate PFD on board. A life jacket is also required for every person on the boat.
- Fire extinguisher: Larger vessels must have a type B fire extinguisher on board, although this requirement is often waived for sailboats and primitive vessels.
- Sound signal: All boats must carry a whistle or horn that can be used to signal other boats and alert those on shore.
- Navigation lights: Some non-motorized vessels are exempt from this requirement, but otherwise it is mandatory.
- Ventilation: All gas engines must have a ventilation system that helps prevent the buildup of gases within the vessel.
- Backfire flame arrestor: This is a requirement for all gasoline engines.
- Horn: A horn or sound signaling device must be present.
- First Aid Kit: A personalized first aid kit should be kept on board in case of an emergency.
- Vessel Information: It is recommended to have important information about the vessel on board to help first responders in case of an emergency, including the vessel’s identification number, the telephone number of the owner, a personal flotation device checklist, and a list of all items on board.
Operating a vessel in Nevada before you are able to check off all of these items on your legal boating equipment checklist is a surefire way to attract law enforcement attention, and increase the risk of an accident occurring on the water. Make sure that you don’t end up in a situation that could put you or your loved ones in peril, and take the time to obtain all of the required safety equipment before taking to the waters.
Rules of the Road and Speeding
When operating a motorized boat or other vessel on the state’s waterways, Nevada law requires that you have a certificate of competency ("driver’s license"). The law does not require the driver’s license for non-motorized vessels not exceeding 8 feet in length, such as canoes, kayaks and paddleboats. However, the driver’s license requirement does apply to the operator of a boat, regardless of length, when being towed behind a vessel powered by a motor. The law also exempts operators from the licensing requirement if the operator has chartered the vessel, the vessel has a manufacturer-gross-tonnage rating of less than 16 gross tons, and the operator is in possession of a certificate of competency for operating vessels of that size.
The certificate of competency must be in the form of a boater education card issued by the Department of Wildlife, unless another state’s safety certificate is accepted by Nevada and accompanied, at all times while operating a vessel on Nevada waters, by an identification of the operator (driver’s license, military ID, or passport). A private company may issue the certificate of competency that meets the requirements of Chapter 488 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. To obtain the certificate, the applicant must pass an examination on the laws of boating operation and safety.
Nevada law provides that a person may not operate a motorboat if the vessel is not equipped with a certain number of fire extinguishers, depending on the length of the vessel, fuel systems, electrical systems, lights, ventilation, portable fuel tanks, open flames, proper placards, carbon monoxide detectors, waste management, loud noises, and exhausts. There are specific requirements for fuel systems, electrical systems, lighting, ventilation, portable fuel tanks, open flames, placards, tanks, and disposal.
The law regulates the speed limits in all waters of this State, whether such waters are natural or artificial, except navigable waters in the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Generally, the operator of a motorboat, motorized personal watercraft, vessel, or vessel with an engine, shall:
(a) If the area is under the jurisdiction of the Commission of Nevada State Parks, Coastal Conservation or any similar body, the speed limit for operated watercraft shall be determined by that body not to exceed 5 miles per hour;
(b) If the area is established by a county, town, city, or township, the speed limit shall be 5 miles per hour
(c) If the area is established by a municipality, the speed limit is:
(i) For not more than 500 feet in length, 5 miles per hour;
(ii) For 2,640 feet in length, 3 miles per hour;
(iii) For 5,280 feet or more in length: 1 mile per hour.
The speed limit in all waters within the territorial boundaries of counties within Nevada, designating such waters as prime fishing or water skiing waters (Lake Mead), is 25 miles per hour. Any speed limit established pursuant to this subsection is valid and enforceable only if clearly posted.
The law further specifies the following:
(a) "Operating watercraft" means operating a vessel or using a water skiing device;
(b) "Resolution" refers to a petition requesting that a portion of the waters of a county, town, city, or township be established as a non-speed limit area with respect to vessels; the petition must be filed with the county recorder for recordation in the county clerk’s office;
(c) The "speed limit" in a non-speed limit area is 5 miles per hour.
The law states that a county, town, city, or township may repeal the former limitations by resolution.
Boating Under the Influence
Like driving a car, drinking alcohol while operating a boat is an offense that can be prosecuted in Nevada. The law in Nevada is as follows:
"Nevada Revised Statute 488. 410 Discharge or attempt to discharge watercraft into waters of state; alcoholic beverage concentration limit for operator; information to be displayed on watercraft.
1. It is unlawful for a person to operate a watercraft which discharges or attempts to discharge any part of its waste stream into the waters of this state.
2. A person shall not operate a watercraft capable of being operated by a person under 18 years of age or seat a person under 18 years of age upon the watercraft and permit that person to operate that watercraft:
(a) While the concentration of alcohol in that person’s blood or breath is 0.08 or more but less than 0.10; or
(b) While the person has or is in possession of any controlled substance, Schedule I or II."
So if you plan on boating while in Nevada, be aware of the laws limiting your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). These laws are there to protect everybody on the water from injury or death. Minimize, or eliminate, your alcohol consumption in order to maximize your time on the water.
Respecting the Environment
Nevada environmental regulations are designed to protect native wildlife and plant species for the benefit of everyone who enjoys time on Nevada’s waters. If you plan to do much boating, you will want to be familiar with the laws about waste. In addition to hotels and motels, some campsites and commercial marinas have systems in place to retrieve "pump-out" waste. Many marinas and marinas have similar facilities, particularly the larger facilities. There is a nationwide "pump Out" information line, 1-800-BOAT-USA (1-800-262-8872). Both the U.S. Coast Guard and the Nevada Department of Wildlife maintain databases of all U.S. Certified Pump Out Facilities, complete with facility addresses, hours of operation and other useful information. In addition, lakefront homeowners are permitted to host certified facilities for the public use. At this time there are no registration fees required for the permitting or annual operation of onshore facilities. Some areas have voluntary (clean) vessel program in place that is intended to encourage proper boat maintenance and waste disposal. These types of programs are also designed to avoid adverse impacts to the marine environment. Nevada law prohibits the discharge of waste from on-board storage into any waters , including streams, lakes and other waters. Any sewage treatment system incorporated into a vessel must be U.S. Coast Guard approved. The Web-based database is updated regularly and contains information about various avian species and their habitats that are important to the environment and recreation, such as nesting requirements, dietary, habitat preservation and the like. It also points out that it is illegal to feed loons, particularly with fish and that when confronted with a threat, will dive to consume the food. Birds, stick to the wild diet offered by nature. One can also be ticketed or fined for harassing or feeding migratory water fowl of any species. Whether using a motorboat or moving about on another kind of vessel, be aware if wildlife is present in the area you are in – Canada geese, swans, ducks too.
Boat Registration and Titling
Every Nevada boater is required to register their boat with the Department of Wildlife and obtain a Certificate of Ownership & Certificate of Number (i.e., Nevada registration). All vessels (boats, personal watercraft, and sailboats) equipped with a mechanical propulsion system (other than a wind vane or the like), except outboard motors of less than 15 horsepower, must be registered. In addition, vessels powered by a sail only must be registered when they are 8 feet or longer. Vessels that are already registered in another state and are being brought to Nevada likely will not need to be registered again. Those wanting to obtain a Nevada Registration shall provide an application to the Department upon which all of the following appear:
The registration fees are as follows:
- The base fee is $15.
- If the vessel has a length of less than 18 feet, the fee for the fiscal year for which a new application is made is $20.
- If the vessel has a length of at least 18 feet but less than 40 feet, the fee for the fiscal year for which a new application is made is $25 plus $3 for each additional foot of length that exceeds 18 feet, but no more than $110.
- If the vessel has a length of at least 40 feet but less than 60 feet, the fee for the fiscal year for which a new application is made is $85 plus $5 for each foot of length that exceeds 40 feet, but no more than $265.
- If the vessel has a length of at least 60 feet, the fee for the fiscal year for which a new application is made is $130 plus $6 for each foot of length that exceeds 60 feet, but no more than $395.
- The renewal fee for a vessel to which subsection 1 or 2 applies is the difference between the fees established in subsections 4 and 5 and the sum of the fees previously paid by the owner of that vessel.
Upon completion of an application and a review of all the required documentation, the Nevada Department of Wildlife will affix to each vessel a Certificate of Number which is valid for 2 years and must be renewed every 2 years thereafter. An applicant receives a validation sticker for attachment to the vessel. A vessel does not have to carry the Certificate of Ownership once the Department issues a Certificate of Number; however, all vessels must carry the Certificate of Registration when they are in operation on the waters of the State. The Department will issue the renewal for Certificates of Number without requiring any additional forms or payment, if the Department records indicate that the individual has paid the tangible personal property tax required for the previous year for the vessel if applicable. The Department will notify the owners of those vessels whose tangible personal property taxes are due for the preceding year. Any person who fails to pay the tax on the vessel within the time provided in this subsection must pay an additional fee equal to 10 percent of the amount of the tangible personal property tax that is due.
NOTE: Be sure to take precautions before purchasing a used boat. Before you make the purchase, obtain the hull identification number (HIN) from the seller and immediately contact the NV Department of Wildlife to see whether there are any outstanding liens against the boat. Also, record the boat identification and all pictures of the vessel once it is purchased.
Enforcement and Punishments
Enforcement and penalties for violations of Nevada boating laws is through the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the United States Coast Guard and local law enforcement agencies.
For example, under NRS 488.160(2), the Nevada Department of Wildlife has the authority to enter onto any boat that is within the waters of the state in order to inspect the boat for compliance with Nevada boating laws. The Nevada Department of Wildlife will sometimes inspect for life jackets at boat ramps.
By the same token, under NRS 488.160(3) and (4), peace officers who are reasonable believe that a person is in violation of any of Nevada’s boating laws may board the vessel to inspect for compliance.
Under the Nevada Revised Statutes, there are mandatory and discretionary fines for violations of the boating safety laws that are contained in NRS Chapter 488. The most common violations include:
Operating a vessel without a wearable personal flotation device for each person on board the vessel: $122.00 penalty payable to the court.
Operating a vessel without a vessel registration certificate on board: $91.00 penalty payable to the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
At the time of this article , the Nevada Department of Wildlife had recently adopted boating safety laws that included the requirement for anyone born after 1986 to have completed a unit in a Nevada Division of Wildlife training course prior to operating a personal watercraft (also known as a "jet ski") in the waters of the State of Nevada. A personal watercraft is defined in the Nevada Revised Statutes as a vessel powered by a motor in which the motor is in use and the person riding is not within an enclosed cabin and controls the steering by holding on to handlebars without having any other means to steer. The legislation also requires that all persons riding on the PWC have a life jacket on that is duly registered with the state of their residence. The new boating training law also contains a requirement that the Nevada Department of Wildlife adopt regulations to carry out the legislative intent. A copy of the law in its entirety can be found here.