Do You Have Your Boater Education Card?

If you don't already carry one of these cards in your wallet, the next time you see a game warden coming your way, you may wish you had paid a little closer attention to the new education-compliance requirement being phased in for all Virginia boaters. Here is how this requirement is being applied:

     * All PWC operators, regardless of age, and motorboat operators 30 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2012.
     * Motorboat operators 40 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2013.
     * Motorboat operators 45 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2014.
     * Motorboat operators 50 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2015.
     * All motorboat operators, regardless of age, shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2016.

Vessel operators who are required to have a Boater Education Card must carry the card on board the vessel and have it available for inspection by an enforcement officer.

All states that have mandatory boater-education requirements will accept the Virginia Boater Education Card. Likewise, Virginia will accept boating-education cards that are issued by states that meet the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

The Virginia Boater Education Card is proof that you have successfully completed an approved boating safety course. Since this card doesn't expire and does not need to be renewed, it is not called a Virginia Boating License. Nevertheless, it is the law, and all boaters are expected to comply.

For complete details, go to: http://www.boat-ed.com/virginia/boating_card.html.