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.

Hopefully there is a section in this course for courtesy and etiquette. Respect for kayaks, smaller, slower boats, and flotillas of boats that are fishing at idle or anchor by wake boats, large cruisers,, jet skis, etc is sorely lacking. Sometimes I chalk it up to ignorance, sometimes it's pretty obvious that they just don't care. Swamping someone in a small craft is not cool.

Currently it was introduced in committee and that is it. They only have until the end of March until session is over. However, I expect it to pass eventually. I won't have to do it regardless but I signed up on-line already just because it can't hurt and I fish many other states where it may already be required.

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Originally Posted by Jigboy

Currently it was introduced in committee and that is it. They only have until the end of March until session is over. However, I expect it to pass eventually. I won't have to do it regardless but I signed up on-line already just because it can't hurt and I fish many other states where it may already be required.

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Right, we're in the 10 day recess/veto period now. They come back on March 29th and 30th to wrap things up and then the session is over. You're probably right, this late in the game it may get tabled until the next session, unless it gets pushed through with a rushed vote at the last minute. Coming up with the state budget plan has taken up a large majority of this session's time, especially with all the added things resulting from COVID-19.

It certainly doesn't hurt to go ahead and take the test and be done with it. Like you said, it's most likely going to pass at some point. I took it a few years ago just to go ahead and get it done and to have it for traveling to other states where I'm required to have it.

They really need to make this apply to everyone regardless of age. I have been driving boats since I was a teenager, was taught the rules/laws by my father, and have fished lakes all over the south part of the country. I would have to take the course because I'm 43 and I am fine with that. However, someone who's 46 or older and never been on the water, much less driven a boat, can go buy one that runs 70+ mph and not take the course. That really makes alot of sense.

I am 67 and have driven boats for many years but not frequently.
My wife has much more experience than I so I let her do the driving when we rent a pontoon or fishing boat.
The lakes are so crowded these days, it makes sense to me that everybody be certified.
Age is a non factor.

No thanks on that note. We have more then enough regulations then needed as it is. You can't legislate morality or ethics.

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Originally Posted by kentuckyranger390v

They really need to make this apply to everyone regardless of age. I have been driving boats since I was a teenager, was taught the rules/laws by my father, and have fished lakes all over the south part of the country. I would have to take the course because I'm 43 and I am fine with that. However, someone who's 46 or older and never been on the water, much less driven a boat, can go buy one that runs 70+ mph and not take the course. That really makes alot of sense.

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This law change sets it up so that eventually everyone will have it. The date is to be set at January 1, 1975 (same date used for Hunter's Education/Orange Card) - 40 years from now there won't be too many left alive who were born before that date.I think some schools even offer the boating class now. Hopefully KDFWR's Conservation Camps (like Camp Currie in west KY) will add the chance to gain a Boater's Education Card to their curriculum in addition to the Orange Card program they already offer.

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Originally Posted by Trapperpete52

We have more then enough regulations then needed as it is. You can't legislate morality or ethics.

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You're right on that, but with this law change it does make it to where you must have some sort of basic understanding of what's in the boater's guide.

The way it is out there now, I don't think many even know that a boater's guide exists!

Basic knowledge of what the red and green buoys mean, knowledge of what navigational lights mean, and who has the right-of-way are all a large part of the test. It's 3 to 4 hours of info with quizzes after each section. I think it's a great setup!

It certainly won't stop all the problems out there, but it's at least better than nothing. A driver's license doesn't stop accidents from happening, but it does help make sure that people have at least read the manual and understand that there are some rules that actually exist!

I've been operating boats on KY and Barkley for over 30 years now, I started as a kid operating a jet ski in 1990 before any education requirements existed...who knows, maybe my wild ways inspired some law makers. Ha! Jet skis, bass boats, pontoon boats, jon boats, houseboats, cruisers, I've piloted them all. I'm currently exempt from the education requirement, but this new law change will require me to carry proof of education...I fully support this law change because it isn't about me and my need to learn the rules (I passed the test easily and only missed 1 question), it's about the OTHER GUY I'm meeting head-on and trying to make sure that he knows the rules. With as many times as I have been ran out of the navigational channel by someone who didn't know the rules, I'm hopeful that this law change will at least reduce the instances of that happening. Who knows, maybe this law change might prevent accidents like the one on Barkley near Kuttawa in 2010 where two bass boats meeting head-on resulted in a crash due to one boat operator not knowing what to do in that situation; both boat operators survived, but the passenger in the boat that was hit did not make it. That was an incredibly sad ordeal, and to make matters worse, one of the boat operators is considered a local bass fishing legend with all of his tournament wins; even with all of his boating knowledge he simply couldn't avoid the accident with the other guy.

I grew up on the river and can tell you that a jerk that don't care about anyone else will only become a educated jerk that doesn't care about anyone else. Pool 19 on the Mississippi is the site of an annual bass tournament and sadly usually there are accidents caused by them with a few fatalities over the years. Most times by NOT using common sense.

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Originally Posted by Trapperpete52

I grew up on the river and can tell you that a jerk that don't care about anyone else will only become a educated jerk that doesn't care about anyone else. Pool 19 on the Mississippi is the site of an annual bass tournament and sadly usually there are accidents caused by them with a few fatalities over the years. Most times by NOT using common sense.

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I never understood why it was so hard for guys to simply stay on the right side of the channel/river. I've ran some of the smaller/narrowed river type lakes in KY like Nolin and I'm always baffled how guys will cut the corner on a blind curve/bend.

Just a little over a week ago, a guy was trying to cut a bend on the wrong side of the channel/river, he ended up losing control and totaled his boat. He's lucky the boat didn't turn over and kill him:
Smith Lake Boat Wreck - YouTube