Outdoor Articles

Boating Safety Course Meets Requirements of New Law
Maryville, Tennessee

As of January 1, 2005, all boats and PWC drivers in Tennessee born after January 1, 1989, must show proof of successfully completing a nationally-approved boating safety course accepted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Fortunately, there is a new course available on the Internet for anyone age 12 and up to help meet this need. Tennessee Boaters Education has developed a user-friendly course to help reduce the number of boating accidents in Tennessee. The course stresses boating safety, national and state laws, and general boating information.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) requires that young boat drivers (born after 1/1/89) possess a wallet certificate issued by TWRA. In order to receive this card, you must take a boating safety course such as the one offered by Tennessee Boaters Education which can be downloaded for free from the Internet (www.tnboat.com). If a certificate of completion is needed for insurance or to show proof of taking a boating safety course, there will be a charge of twenty-five dollars.

After completing the boating safety course, a $10 fee for a ticket number must be prepaid to a state licensing agent (usually purchased wherever fishing/hunting licenses are sold). That ticket and your proof of taking a boating safety course then entitle you to take the TWRA-issued examination. (TWRA exam times and locations can be found on the TWRA website: www.tnwildlife.org.) After passing the TWRA exam, a wallet certificate will be issued by mail.

For more information, call 800-323-5135 or go to www.tnboat.com.