What To Know About Louisiana's Mandatory Boater Education Course

(Louisiana) While the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) encourages every boater to take a boater education course, if you were born after January 1, 1984, you must successfully complete an LDWF-approved boater education course to operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower, unless you are accompanied by someone over age 18 who has a successfully completed an LDWF-approved boater education course, if required.

In addition, if you were born after January 1, 1984, you must successfully complete an approved boater education course to operate a personal watercraft. You must also be age 16 or older to operate a personal watercraft.

Individuals must carry their certification of course completion while on the motorboat or personal watercraft.

If you are a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, you are not required to take this course to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft.

Youth younger than age 10 may take a boater education course but are not eligible to be certified. They must retake the course to be certified when they reach 10 years of age or older.

For a complete overview of boating requirements go to:
https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/boater-education?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0qyGik67qDnHRX1V-9Z9O...