Drive a boat USA

Getting Your California Boater Card for the First Time

March 26, 2025

We keep hearing the same story: you’re an experienced boater, you may have been boating on California waterways your whole life. And now, with the new laws enforced by the State of California, you suddenly need a boater card.

Yes, this can be frustrating!

But don’t worry, you can get a California boater card from Drive Boat USA and get back out on the water as soon as possible.

Get your California Boater Card in 3 steps

There are three steps to getting your California boater card. The more you already know about boating, the more quickly you can get through the process. 

Remember, you can contact us anytime via the chat (on the bottom right) or using a contact form. We’d be happy to help!

Keep reading for detailed instructions, or download this complete California Boater Card checklist for easy reference:

Drive-A-Boat-USA-California-Boater-Card-Checklist

Drive-A-Boat-USA-Getting-your-California-Boater-Card-checklist

Step One: Complete an approved California boating safety course

You know how to drive your boat. You know that you have to wear a life jacket. You know what to do to avoid capsizing, how to signal you’re in distress, and which buoys are indicating that you’re heading upstream. 

So why do you need to take a boater safety course?

The California Division of Boating and Waterways stipulates that all boaters in the state need to have followed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course before challenging the exam. No arguing with that.

Lucky for you, the Drive A Boat USA boating safety course is accredited, easy to follow, and affordable (we even offer group discounts!). You can complete the entire course online in just a few hours – probably even faster if you are already familiar with the contents. Consider it a chance to review the basics and get up to date on anything that might have changed since you first took to the water.

Before you start the course

IMPORTANT: Before you can take the course and challenge the exam, you need to get an Application ID through the official California Boater Card website.

During the application process, when you reach the “Proof of education” section, select “I have not taken Boating Safety education at this time.”

After completing your application, you will be issued a California Application ID, which you will use to register for the boating safety course. This is how your exam results will be linked to your application.

Step Two: Take the test

Hard to believe you have to take a basic test after all these years of experience.

Well, the California boating exam is a good chance to prove what you know. It covers a wide range of topics related to boating safety and regulations, and you’ll come away with a fresh outlook on boating safely on California’s lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.

The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, and you must score at least 80% to pass. It is open-book and includes unlimited retries!

Below are the key topics you’ll be expected to be familiar with:

Boating Basics (yawn)

  • Parts of a boat and PWC (personal watercraft)
  • Boating terminology
  • Age and horsepower restrictions
  • Registration, titling, and documentation requirements

Boating Equipment

Safe Boat Operation

Navigation Rules

  • Right-of-way rules
  • Navigational aids (buoys, markers, lateral systems)
  • Night navigation and sound signals

Emergency Preparedness

There are also questions on additional topics, like anchoring techniques, docking and casting off, PWC regulations, towing, trailering, anchoring and loading.

Step Three: Apply for your California Boater Card

You passed! Now you just need to apply for your official California boater card.

We wish this part was as simple as it sounds. But you’re almost there, don’t give up. 

Think of the sun on your face and the sparkling blue around you . . . it’s worth it!

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to do to get your card:

  1. Make sure you have your Certificate of Completion from Drive A Boat USA.
  2. Go back to the California Boater Card website, the same site you used to get your Application ID.
  3. Use your Application ID to log into your account.
  4. Navigate to the Proof of Education section of your application.
  5. Upload your Certificate of Completion.
  6. If you haven’t already paid the $10 fee, you’ll need to do so at this point.
  7. Submit your updated application.
  8. Receive your temporary boater card by email, which you can use immediately.
  9. Wait for your official card: Your permanent California Boater Card will be mailed to you and should arrive within 60 days.

Get your California Boater Card with Drive A Boat USA

Thank you for reading this article! We hope you found it useful and look forward to helping you get your California boater card as soon as possible. If you still have questions, you may want to check out our California Boater Card Guide.

Remember, as of January 1, 2025, California law requires all operators of motorized vessels on California waterways, regardless of age, to possess a California Boater Card. This requirement applies to motorboats, personal watercraft (PWCs), and other motorized watercraft, including motorized sailboats, houseboats, and wakeboard and ski boats.

The U.S. Coast Guard approved California boating course and exam offered by Drive A Boat USA is available 100% online, in an easy, entertaining format. Sign up today!