Rider guide · Florida
Do you need a license to rent a jet ski in Florida?
Short answer: Florida doesn't issue a jet ski "license." But if you were born on or after January 1, 1988, you need proof of boating safety education to drive one. Visitors can get it in minutes with an online temporary certificate, valid for 90 days. You also need to be 18 or older to rent a jet ski.
Who needs boating safety education
Florida's rule covers anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who drives a boat with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. Every jet ski is well above that, so the rule applies to jet skis too. If you were born before 1988, you don't need it.
Your three ways to meet the rule
| Option | Best for | How long it's valid |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card | Florida residents and frequent boaters | For life |
| Boating card from another state | Visitors who already took a NASBLA-approved course at home | Accepted with a photo ID |
| Temporary certificate | Visitors renting a jet ski on vacation | 90 days, Florida only |
How the temporary certificate works
- Take the test online with one of the providers authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): Aceboater, Boat Ed, BoatTests101, BoatUS, Take My Boat Test, Recademics or Boat Safe Online.
- Pass the exam. It has 25 questions, and you need at least 19 correct.
- Save your certificate. You get it electronically right away. Keep it on your phone or print it.
- Bring it with a photo ID to your rental. You must also be able to show both to law enforcement while you're on the water.
The temporary certificate is valid for 90 days and only in Florida. It can't be exchanged for the permanent ID card. Prices vary by provider, so check each one before you pay.
Age rules for jet skis in Florida
- 18 to rent. The person renting the jet ski must be at least 18.
- 14 to drive. No one under 14 may operate a jet ski in Florida, and it's illegal to knowingly let them.
Rules on the water
- Life jackets for everyone. Every person on a jet ski must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Inflatable life jackets aren't allowed on jet skis.
- Wear the safety lanyard. If the jet ski has an engine cut-off lanyard, the driver must attach it to their body, clothing or life jacket.
- Daylight only. Jet skis can't be operated from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise.
- No reckless riding. Weaving through boat traffic, swerving at the last second or jumping the wake of a nearby boat counts as reckless operation under Florida law.
What to bring to your jet ski rental
- A photo ID
- Your boating card or temporary certificate, if you were born in 1988 or later
- Swimwear, sunscreen and sunglasses with a strap
- A towel and a dry change of clothes
Florida requires rental companies to give safety instructions before you ride. With us, that's the safety briefing every rider gets before heading out, along with your life jacket.
International visitors
The FWC rules don't list foreign boating licenses as an exemption. If you're visiting from outside the U.S. and were born in 1988 or later, the simplest route is the online temporary certificate.
Sources: FWC Temporary Certificate Program and FWC boating education FAQs. Rules can change; check the FWC website for the latest. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Ready to ride?
Jet ski rentals on Biscayne Bay from $160 per hour