Kentucky Boater Education Law Change Info - FYI

In case you missed it in the latest issue of Kentucky Afield, it appears that the commission is looking at changing the boater education requirement in Kentucky. Currently anyone under the age of 18 years old must complete the boater education course and provide proof of completion while operating a motorboat, anyone 18 years old or older is exempt. This will be changed with the new proposed regulations.

The proposed change will require everyone born on or after January 1, 1975 to complete the boater education course and carry proof of completion while operating a motorboat. The proposed change would go into effect July 1, 2021. I mention this in the event that you are 46 years old, or younger, and do not have this education course completed.

It is mentioned that a one-time 14-day exemption period will be offered, contingent upon completion of the education course at the end of the 14-day exemption period.

It is unclear at this time how this change will be enforced on non-residents whose home states may not require completion of the boater education course. Look at TN for example, TN requires an education course for everyone born on or after January 1, 1989; if a TN resident born in 1983 operates a boat in KY, will that person be required to have completed the boater education course or will that person be exempt because they aren't required to have it in their home state of TN? This will need to be clarified due to the large number of people from out of state who come to Kentucky for fishing tournaments, and also due to the fact that we have many lakes where crossing from TN into KY is common, such as Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and Dale Hollow.

I just wanted to point this out to everyone so you are aware of it so nobody gets blindsided by it. I know a lot of people who are 46 and under who have not completed the course and are frequent boaters on Kentucky Lake for fishing and recreational fun; I'm making them aware of this so they can be prepared for the 4th of July holiday weekend, July fishing tournaments, and anything else going forward after July 1, 2021 in the event that this proposed change becomes law.

I myself went ahead and took the course a few years ago for the insurance savings and in the event that I visited a state where I would be required to have boater education, or in the event that I wanted to rent a boat that required proof of education. The online course is about $100 and takes 4 or 5 hours to get through all of the videos/learning modules.

If you have boater friends who are 46 years old, or younger, pass this along. It would be a lot easier to take the course now while it's still winter, rather than scrambling to get it done in June or July.

Thanks for posting.


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***UPDATE*** - this potential law change is currently being evaluated in the current Kentucky legislative session. To find more details please search for "21RS KY HB319" for more information. The KDFWR made a resolution during the December 4th Commission meeting to endorse the change/bill. The bill reads:


"Amend KRS 235.285 to require individuals born on or after January 1, 1975, to possess a safe boating certificate prior to operating a personal watercraft or motorboat on the waters of the Commonwealth; provide for exemption certificates; delay enforcement and require courtesy warnings for violations until July 1, 2022; amend KRS 235.990 to conform."

The way the changes are currently written, EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE A RESIDENT OR NON-RESIDENT, born on or after January 1, 1975 must provide proof of completion of an approved boater's education course if operating a motorboat or personal watercraft on waters within the state of Kentucky. It appears that there will be a 1-year grace period in which warnings for violation of the new law will be written until July 1, 2022.

Further details of the proposed changes can be found here: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/21RS/HB319.html
When you visit the webpage for 21RS HB319 be sure to click on "Introduced" to see the full .PDF of the proposed changes to KRS 235.285

The online class costs $35 and takes about 4 or 5 hours to complete.

I just learned that the Boat U.S. Foundation offers the education course for free at this link: Kentucky Boating Safety Course: BoatUS Foundation

The BoatUS Foundation's Online Course is the only FREE Online Boating Safety Course approved by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, and approved by NASBLA.

What a joke!! They want $$$, it always goes back to the dollar.

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Originally Posted by redearhoosier

What a joke!! They want $$$, it always goes back to the dollar.

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Well, it appears there is now a free course offered through Boat U.S. Foundation. It doesn't appear that KDFWR collects any money off of the boater's education course. Any fees paid for completing a course are paid to the company offering it and NOT KDFWR.

The only thing KDFWR would be collecting is fines from those who aren't in compliance, but one of the stipulations of the proposed law change is that if it goes into affect this summer then game wardens can only issue warnings until July 1, 2022.

The proposed law change is currently being evaluated by the state legislature and hasn't been voted on yet - KDFWR has only passed a resolution in support of the proposed law change back on Dec. 4th during the commission meeting. If you are against this law change or have further questions about it, I believe contacting your local state legislator would be the route you would want to take. The bill is 21RS HB319 sponsored by State Representative Kim Banta who represents a portion of Kenton County and Boone County. You can read the specific text of the changes to the law at this link by clicking on "Introduced" to see the official .PDF: 21RS HB 319

...oops, it posted twice......

I've seen enough idiots that need it.

Alabama began requiring licensure in the mid 90’s. It is an endorsement on your drivers license. I don’t know if it has helped decrease boating accidents or not, unfortunately there are still several fatalities on Lewis Smith lake annually. I try to avoid going there during the summer unless very early in the am or after dark.

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Originally Posted by cattoon

Alabama began requiring licensure in the mid 90’s. It is an endorsement on your drivers license. I don’t know if it has helped decrease boating accidents or not, unfortunately there are still several fatalities on Lewis Smith lake annually.

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Eventually everyone in Kentucky, or anyone who visits Kentucky, will have to have it. The January 1, 1975 date sets it in stone going forward, 40 years from now there won't be too many people left who are exempt. It won't completely stop accidents, a driver's license for example certainly doesn't do that, but I feel like it's better than nothing.