FREE CA Boaters Card Course: Free state specific boating safety course

[WB Staff]

The BoatUS Foundation offers the only FREE online boating safety course developed specifically for your state.

https://www.boatus.org/free/


The California Boater Card shows that its holder has successfully taken and passed a NASBLA*/state-approved boater safety education examination. The California Boater Card program is phased-in by age for operators of motorized boats on state waterways (see phase-in schedule below). As of January 1, 2022, the card is required for operators 45 years of age or younger.

By 2025, all persons who operate on California waters will be required to have one. The lifetime card fee is $10. The lost card replacement fee is $5.

The card is issued by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). Once DBW has received your application, proof of education and payment, you will receive a 90-day temporary boater card by email. You should receive your official boater card by mail within 30 days from the time the application was approved.

California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 678.11(b) contains the following phase-in schedule based on operator age:

January 1, 2018 – Persons 20 years of age or younger
January 1, 2019 – Persons 25 years of age or younger
January 1, 2020 – Persons 35 years of age or younger
January 1, 2021 – Persons 40 years of age or younger
January 1, 2022 – Persons 45 years of age or younger
January 1, 2023 – Persons 50 years of age or younger
January 1, 2024 – Persons 60 years of age or younger
January 1, 2025 – All persons regardless of age

[monte300]

Did it, passed it, that’s five hours of my life I can never get back. As bad as that was $61.82 for a 2024 California fishing license more than makes up for it WTF?

[coyote268]

Who enforces it?

[monte300]

Who enforces it?

I’ve heard that neither the game warden or sheriff’s will pull you over to see it, but if they ask and you don’t have it you’re subject to a fine.

[Will C]

I took that course a few months back at 65 yrs old. Passed it as well and jumped the hoops regardless. Some of the info was of worthiness. No cost and the agency in charge was very receptive to emails and such. Did not know it was free initially. Well I got my certificate and a card ! Then another week later I got my certificate and a card.

So if anyone wants to take my class I have 1 spot open for $50 bucks. You will need to edit the name tho. LOL
Get out and fish turn off the news and focus on the good stuff. We can bitch better when we are dead. Tight Lines for 2024

[Whoopbass]

This is how ridiculous this is. I know a person that will take the test under whomevers name for a fee and then email them their license. Stupid laws create scandalous opportunities.
Last year went out with a friend that brought a 25 year old along. He said he had his boating license so I let him drive my aluminum river boat on the river. He didn't know squat and scared me. Maybe he paid someone to take the test for him. Probably not since no real world knowledge will be gained.

[mark poulson]

I think there will always be people who try and game the system, but there are so many more who recognize that the only way the system works is to follow the rules.

[Whoopbass]

You're right Mark so I made an appointment to get started on my Covid shots. Said I only need 8 of em to get caught up.
Same with the Quagga deal. Funny how these places are not that concerned about it unless they don't get their money.

I'm thinking about paying that person to do my license. $80 to have someone do it or 5 hours of my time just wasted.

[jiggin4bass]

Park rangers here will never ask you and the DFG wont either. Park rangers just make sure your paid when your in the park the DFG just check for your license that's it. That's the perk's of fishing during the week. :l ol:

[JVGondal]

It’s not perfect but it is a good thing
Once you put 100 HP on a boat the operator should have some kind of knowledge
Is it really any different than a car or truck?
Less traffic but not always

[monte300]

I think they could have came up with better test questions.

[Whoopbass]

It’s not perfect but it is a good thing
Once you put 100 HP on a boat the operator should have some kind of knowledge
Is it really any different than a car or truck?
Less traffic but not always

Way different then taking a test that you will forget in a weeks time versus going out with an instructor or an adult that has drive time under their belt. I don't know what you have to do to get a vehicle license these days but I know taking a boat written test with no real world experience is pretty much useless. Lakes. rivers. and the ocean they're all different and take different skill sets.

[monte300]

It’s not perfect but it is a good thing
Once you put 100 HP on a boat the operator should have some kind of knowledge
Is it really any different than a car or truck?
Less traffic but not always

Way different then taking a test that you will forget in a weeks time versus going out with an instructor or an adult that has drive time under their belt. I don't know what you have to do to get a vehicle license these days but I know taking a boat written test with no real world experience is pretty much useless. Lakes. rivers. and the ocean they're all different and take different skill sets.

I can’t agree more Whoopbass

[jerrysfishing]

I guess 50 years of boating and 30 years of Bass Boat experience doesn't matter. What a dumb State this is.

[jiggin4bass]

Who is ever going to ask you for that card.

[monte300]

Who is ever going to ask you for that card.

I was once boarded about 20 years ago for a half hour they checked everything. They even checked to make sure the life jackets were appropriate for the large couple fellows in the boat. Back in those days I kept a few fish to eat, so they measured the fish in my live well. After failing to find anything wrong they ticketed me for no throwable flotation, cost me $150.

[jiggin4bass]

Never been sited or boarded and ive been boating since 1973 and my first bass boat in 1976 Ive come in contact with DFG and Lake rangers dozens of times only to be ask if I we had are current fishing licenses. Or ask how fishing been and never ask to check live wells for fish.

[monte300]

Technically by law the throwable flotation is supposed to be on the deck at all times. I don’t know anyone that has throwable flotation on their deck while fishing.

I looked it up and here’s the law:

vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one USCG–approved throwable Type IV device on board and immediately accessible. Canoes and kayaks are exempt from this requirement.

[jiggin4bass]

Throw cushion
Fire extinguisher
4' boat paddle
Horn/air horn/whistle
Life vest for every person in boat
For boats over 16 feet

And you need nascar fire extinguisher system on these major bass boats with all the electronics and batteries.

[JVGondal]

Who is ever going to ask you for that card.

Boat insurance companies have asked for it. Probably increases the rate if you don’t have it

When I bought new insurance they asked if I had the card but at the time I was not required to have it

[Whoopbass]

I decied to take the test yesterday on BoatUs. I'm guessing it took around 3 hours or so. Most of it was common sense and if you don't know the answer you can just open another window and Google the question. Just click every 24 seconds until you're done with the studying and go onto the test.

I don't know who or what came up with this test but its useless just like everything CA tries to implement. They tried to squeeze everything in from inflatable boats to ships. They should have hammered the basics, written and unwritten rules, as well as common sense. There was a few good things but I will probably forget em by this weekend.

[JVGondal]

I took the test few weeks ago. It forces you to take3 hours .
Seems to me it was similar to the written test for Ca drivers license. I agree it could be better but at least it makes new boaters know what navigation lights are and some of the basics
Most of us read the ABC’s of boating book at some point

[monte300]

I took 5 hours but was dinking around with it. When it comes to the final test google is your friend

[Lisafranks]

Footer.jpg

The BoatUS Foundation offers the only FREE online boating safety course developed specifically for your state.


The California Boater Card shows that its holder has successfully taken and passed a NASBLA*/state-approved boater safety education examination. The California Boater Card program is phased-in by age for operators of motorized boats on state waterways (see phase-in schedule below). As of January 1, 2022, the card is required for operators 45 years of age or younger.

By 2025, all persons who operate on California waters will be required to have one. The lifetime card fee is $10. The lost card replacement fee is $5.

The card is issued by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). Once DBW has received your application, proof of education and payment, you will receive a 90-day temporary boater card by email. You should receive your official boater card by mail within 30 days from the time the application was approved.


California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 678.11(b) contains the following phase-in schedule based on operator age:

January 1, 2018 – Persons 20 years of age or younger
January 1, 2019 – Persons 25 years of age or younger
January 1, 2020 – Persons 35 years of age or younger
January 1, 2021 – Persons 40 years of age or younger
January 1, 2022 – Persons 45 years of age or younger
January 1, 2023 – Persons 50 years of age or younger
January 1, 2024 – Persons 60 years of age or younger
January 1, 2025 – All persons regardless of age

This is a really detailed answer.

[mark poulson]

Lisa,
Does the State keep a digital record of your taking the test and passing?
Is it on their computer, so can be looked up by whoever pulls you over if you don't have it in your possession?

[Bruce Theriot]

[quote="mark poulson" post_id=687827 time=1713390421 user_id=139]
Lisa,
Does the State keep a digital record of your taking the test and passing?
Is it on their computer, so can be looked up by whoever pulls you over if you don't have it in your possession?
[/quote]

Mark, take a pic with your cell phone and you have it there.

[mark poulson]

Lisa,
Does the State keep a digital record of your taking the test and passing?
Is it on their computer, so can be looked up by whoever pulls you over if you don't have it in your possession?

Mark, take a pic with your cell phone and you have it there.

Will do. Thanks.