2007 Minnesota Statutes

86B.101 WATERCRAFT SAFETY PROGRAM.
    Subdivision 1. Safety program. The commissioner shall continue and expand the
comprehensive boat safety and education program. The commissioner shall cooperate with
boaters, governmental subdivisions, state agencies, other states, and the federal government in the
operation of the program.
    Subd. 2. Youth watercraft safety course. (a) The commissioner shall establish an
educational course and a testing program for personal watercraft and watercraft operators and for
persons age 12 or older but younger than age 18 required to take the watercraft safety course. The
commissioner shall prescribe a written test as part of the course. A personal watercraft educational
course and testing program that emphasizes safe and legal operation must be required for persons
age 13 or older but younger than age 18 operating personal watercraft.
(b) The commissioner shall issue a watercraft operator's permit to a person age 12 or older
but younger than age 18 who successfully completes the educational program and the written test.
    Subd. 3. Operator's permit. The commissioner shall issue a watercraft operator's permit
to a person who successfully qualifies for a watercraft operator's permit under the boat safety
education program.
    Subd. 4. Boat safety education program; reciprocity with other states. The commissioner
may enter into reciprocity agreements or otherwise certify boat safety education programs from
other states that are substantially similar to in-state programs. The commissioner shall issue a
watercraft operator's permit to a person who provides proof of completion of a program subject
to a reciprocity agreement or certified as substantially similar.
History: 1990 c 391 art 9 s 3; 1993 c 310 s 1; 1998 c 400 s 1; 1998 c 401 s 27; 2003
c 28 art 1 s 11