IDAHO
Boating Laws and Safety Guides
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Idaho
BOAT LAWS
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Idaho
Boating Laws are administered by the
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Additional rules and regulations may apply in
various counties. Know the law. Idaho is truly a
boater's paradise. There are over 16,000 miles of
rivers and more than 2,000 lakes and reservoirs
within the state's borders. It is often called
"The Whitewater State" (unofficially).
Idaho is a river-runner's dream.
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Basic Idaho Boating
Laws
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The
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation offers free
brochures and the "Boat Idaho: Your Guide to
Responsible Boating" home study workbook to the
general public, a video library for safety and boating
presenters, and other teaching curriculum for use in
public schools at both the elementary and secondary level.
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- To view an
electronic copy of the Idaho Safe Boating Act, click
here.
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Boating License
Requirements
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While there is yet no
state law requiring a minimum age or proficiency exam,
some counties are adopting such laws for their local
waterways. Be sure to contact the county where you plan to
ride. Click
Here for a list of County age restrictions.
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Jet Ski Rules
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Idaho
has designated a 100-foot "no-wake zone" from
all docks, structures and persons in the water on public
waters statewide. Often, local agencies such as Benewah
County, Kootenai County or McCall City pass additional
speed restrictions from the shoreline, between boats and
at specific sites. It is a good idea to contact local
organizations where you plan to ride.
There
are exemptions when pulling a water skier. Unless
otherwise marked, it is ok to travel over a no-wake zone
within 100 feet from the dock or person in the water when
safely pulling a water skier straight out from a dock, or
when safely dropping off a water skier back to a dock, or
when the "other person in the water" is the
vessel's skier.
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Boat Registration
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Boats
that do NOT have to be numbered or registered include
boats propelled manually (rafts, kayaks, canoes, etc.,
without a motor) sailboards, documented vessels, float
tubes and boats properly numbered and registered in
another state which are using Idaho waters for 60
consecutive days or less.
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It
is illegal for the owner or person in control of a
motorboat to allow someone who does not meet the age or
boating education requirements to operate the vessel.
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Out of State Boats
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Boats
properly numbered and registered in another state which
are using Idaho waters for 60 consecutive days or less do
not have to be registered.
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