Next week - just in time for the busy July 4th holiday weekend - a new boating law goes into effect in Minnesota.
It used to be the case where if you were 18 or older in the state, you were exempt from needing a watercraft permit. But that's no more says Hennepin County Sheriff's Lt. Rick Rehman.
"Anyone operating watercraft or PWC (personal watercraft) that is born June 30th, 2004 or later needs to have operator watercraft operator permit," says Rehman.
He says the new law is designed to enhance safety on the lakes, especially when it comes to jet skis.
"The accidents and which we're most worried about is when the kids are just messing around and splashing each other with the jet skis. It's kind of when you drive at someone and turn real fast and you spray them with your jet ski wash. Well, we have a lot of accidents that way because sometimes the jet skis don't turn or people just make mistakes."
Up until now, the Sheriff's Office tried to police some of those bad actions by going through the parents which they say will continue.
"What we try to do is always call the parents when we stop someone that's under the age of 18 to help educate the parents as well, just to let them know what their kids are doing," Rehman explains.
In order to get a permit, you have to take an online course for a fee. That course includes unlimited attempts at the final exam.
The permit is good for life and there are no actual driving tests involved. Find more information and apply for the new permit by clicking here.
Key takeaways:
Adult and youth permits: Young operators and some adults need a valid operator's permit to operate certain motorized watercraft. For adults born after June 30, 2004, the requirement starts in 2025. The law will extend to older age groups over time.
Youth restrictions: Young operators can't operate boats with more than 75 horsepower. They can operate boats (that are not PWC) with less than 75 horsepower if they're with an accompanying operator.
Gradual rollout: The law will phase in over the next few years. The operator permit requirement starts in 2025 and gradually expands through 2028.
Who is considered an adult operator?
Is 12 years old or older, and was born after these dates:
June 30, 2004 (starts July 1, 2025)
June 30, 2000 (starts July 1, 2026)
June 30, 1996 (starts July 1, 2027)
June 30, 1987 (starts July 1, 2028)