Minnesota’s New Boating Law Requirements Begin July 1

On July 1, 2025, a new law went into effect requiring some Minnesota boaters to have a valid watercraft operator’s permit in order to operate a motorboat. At the time, this affected people born after June 30, 2004. But on July 1, 2026, the requirements will extend to additional age groups. The law, passed in 2023, is designed to increase safety on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers as well as educate people on the environmental impacts of boating. Here’s what you need to know. Who Is Affected? Boaters born after June 30, 2000, aged 12 years or older, will need a valid watercraft operator’s permit to drive any motorboat or personal watercraft. This requirement goes into place on July 1, 2026, but the requirement will gradually extend to older age groups through 2028. People without a permit can still operate a boat as long as there is an accompanying operator on board who does have a permit and is at least 21 years old. Those born before June 30, 1987, will never be required to have a permit unless they rent a motorboat or are serving as an accompanying operator for another person. People younger than 12 years old cannot operate a personal watercraft or motorboat with a motor over 75 horsepower. They can,…