Pennsylvania boating laws
What you need before you launch in Pennsylvania: boater education, age limits, life jackets, safety gear and registration.
Boater education
Anyone born on or after Jan 1 1982 needs a Boating Safety Certificate to operate over 25 hp, and all PWC operators need one. Official course info
Who can drive a boat
Children 11 and under may not operate over 25 hp or a PWC.
Life jackets
Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket on boats 20 ft or less, canoes and kayaks. Everyone on boats under 16 ft, canoes, kayaks and SUPs must wear one Nov 1 to Apr 30.
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
Powered boats must be registered. Unpowered boats need registration or a launch permit.
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 Pennsylvania
Links go to official Pennsylvania agency pages.
Summary checked 2026-10-27. Rules change, so confirm with the official Pennsylvania source before you go. This is not legal advice.