Personal Watercraft Insurance – Minimum Age To Operate
No person under 14 years of age may operate a personal watercraft (PWC). A person at least 14 years of age but less than 16 years of age may operate a PWC if:
- The person is accompanied by a person at least 18 years of age who occupies the PWC or
- The person possesses ID proof of age and a boating safety certification or card indicating satisfactory completion of a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety education course. A person at least 14 years old but less than 16 years old, can operate a PWC if:
They are riding with a person who is at least 18 who occupies the PWC and is in compliance with G.S. 75A16.2; or the youth has first successfully completed a NASBLA approved boating education course (proof of age and safety course completion must be carried by the youth during operation of the PWC.) ID and boating safety certification must be produced upon request of an officer.
It is unlawful for the owner of a PWC or for a person who has temporary or permanent responsibility for a person under 16 to allow that person to operate a PWC except as provided in 1 and 2 above
