Minimum age to operate a Jet Ski in North Carolina

Minimum Age to Operate a Jet Ski in NC

  • No one under 14 years old can operate a PWC in North Carolina waters.
  • A person at least 14 years old but less than 16 years old, can operate a PWC if: they are riding with a person who is at least 18 who occupies the PWC and is in compliance with G.S. 75A-16.2; or the youth has first successfully completed an approved boating safety education course (proof of age and safety course completion must be carried by the youth during operation of the PWC.)
  • It is unlawful for the owner of a PWC to knowingly allow a person under the age of 16 to operate a PWC unless they have first completed an approved boating safety education course.
  • It is unlawful for a person who has temporary or permanent responsibility for a person under the age of 16 to knowingly allow that person to operate a PWC unless they have first completed an approved boating safety education course.

The official details of the Law

Back to Lake Norman Laws you need to know!

Please Note: This information is not Warranted or Guaranteed. It is not the scope of this website to provide the complete law. It is only the intent of this website to bring attention to some commonly overlooked laws.