District of Columbia boating laws
What you need before you launch in District of Columbia: boater education, age limits, life jackets, safety gear and registration.
Boater education
Anyone operating a boat on DC waters must have a Boating Safety Certificate. Official course info
Who can drive a boat
Operators under 18 may not run a vessel 16 ft or longer without a course or a certified adult aboard.
Life jackets
When the operator of a vessel 16 ft or longer is under 18, everyone aboard under 18 must wear a life jacket.
Required safety gear
Federal U.S. Coast Guard minimums apply:
- A wearable life jacket for each person aboard, plus a throwable cushion or ring on boats 16 feet and longer
- A fire extinguisher on most motorboats with an enclosed engine or fuel tank
- A whistle or horn
- Navigation lights if you are out between sunset and sunrise or in poor visibility
- Visual distress signals (flares or a flag) on coastal waters and the Great Lakes
Registration
All boats must be registered each year, expiring Dec 31.
Boating under the influence
It is illegal to operate a boat with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher.
Before you launch in District of Columbia
Links go to official District of Columbia agency pages.
Summary checked 2026-10-27. Rules change, so confirm with the official District of Columbia source before you go. This is not legal advice.