This Is How Old You Have To Be To Legally Drive A Boat In Illinois

It’s boating season for sure.

The 4th of July weekend is the time to get out on the water. I saw several trucks with boats at a coffee shop this morning, likely heading out for the week. If I could, I’d spend the whole week flopped out on a boat. We put up with a nasty January for this. Whether you’re swimming, drinking, or the one driving the boat, there are sure to be shenanigans.

I’ll be the first to admit that I get the zoomies when I drive a boat. It’s almost jetski intense. I haul all over the lake, I won’t lie. Some of us start driving boats sitting in our family’s lap holding the steering wheel. And that’s not too far from the legal boating age in Illinois.

The Minimum Age To Drive A Boat In Illinois

Illinois seems to have similar boating rules to Iowa. According to the Illinois DNR, minors (12-17) can drive a boat under one of two circumstances: they have their Boating Safety Certificate from the Illinois DNR or they have someone 18 or older with them.

It also depends on the boat the kid is in. That rule applies to boats that are over 10 horsepower.

No kid under 10 years old can operate a motorboat at all.

Also, as a good reminder for the 4th of July weekend festivities, don’t let the most blitzed person on your boat drive it. We all know they don’t need to do anything besides try not to black out.

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