Performance Boat Shop

How old do i have to be to drive a boat(speed boat, can reach 60mph) In michigan?

And any classes required

Public Comments

1. if you dont possess a driver license your not legally allowed to drive a boat. Do they enforce it is a whole other story that i dont know the answer to
2. I moved away from Michigan a couple of years ago, however I believe you need to be sixteen to operate the craft by yourself. I think they have a boaters safety course, but do not believe it is required.
3. Who May Operate a Boat Those less than 12 years of age: May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) without restrictions. May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp only if they are directly supervised onboard by a person at least 16 years of age. May not legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp under any conditions. Those 12 to 15 years of age: May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp without restrictions. May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp only if they: Have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have onboard their boating safety certificate or... Are accompanied onboard by a person at least 16 years of age. Those 16 years of age or older: May operate any boat on the waters of Michigan. Note: see Who May Operate a PWC below. Who May Operate a PWC No one less than 12 years old may legally operate a PWC. A person who is 12 or more and less than 14 years of age may operate a PWC only if: He or she obtained a boating safety certificate prior to January 1, 1999 or... All of the following conditions are satisfied: The person is accompanied solely by his or her parent or legal guardian. Both the person and the parent or legal guardian have obtained a boating safety certificate. The PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch and the parent or legal guardian has the lanyard attached to his or her person, clothing or PFD (life jacket). The PWC is designed to carry at least two people. Those 14 years of age or older: A person born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC only if he or she has obtained a boating safety certificate. Those born December 31, 1978, or earlier may operate a PWC without restrictions