So I've been back in AL. now for 2-3 years and finally getting settled in.
Just today I've got my little river boat with longtail ready to go and couldnt
remember if the registration sticker goes in front of or behind the AL-xxx-xxx, etc..?
Well, I was looking on the OutdoorAL. website and found something about
a BOAT OPERATORS LICENSE and it looks like I got to have one of these
dang things!!! Is this true? and if so, when did yall let this happen?
I was not born prior to 1954 BTW.
Please tell me I dont have to jump through any more hoops to just hunt and fish.

Got to have a boaters license. Been that way for a long time. We all had to do it. I have my stickers towards the front of the Al #( port side is in front of Al#, starboard side the sticker is behind the AL# or towards the bow of the boat).

Just wonderful.
Thanks hayman.

It's a quick, fairly easy, online test.

Whats after the online test? Do I have to go to Dmv?

Yep...new driver's license with the vessel designation on it.

Boating license started in 1997, I believe.

Son of a....

They don't care about the test or your boating knowledge. It's your money that makes it all good.

Further investigation reveals if I take the online test I have to WAIT 3 WEEKS to receive it by mail
when I will then take it to the DMV. Boy, this is rich.

Whats the fine if I get caught in the interim?

I missed being grandfathered in by a matter of days when they passed this nonsense. I drove to Montgomery and took an in-person test in order to get the certification so that I wouldn't be illegal on a trip I had planned. The test back then was hard and I remember that I had to study in order to pass it. I didn't know what some of those buoys in the gulf were about, as I had never operated a boat in salt water.

I have heard that they watered the test down since then, but I don't know if taking it in person and getting immediate certification is still an option, but you might check on it. I will say that I have never once had it checked in the 23 years since they required it.

Thinking of taking my chances till I get it done.
But there are a surplus of Squirrel cops down here in Baldwin co.

I do have a Kayak I could use, but I'm getting old and fat for that.

If you were born prior to 4/28/1954 you have to have a license but you are NOT required to take the test.

The certification is not required for operators who:

Have a valid U.S. Coast Guard Motorboat Operator’s License or…
Submit a valid certificate of successful completion of an ALEA Marine Police Division–approved safe boating course, or a course offered by U.S. Power Squadrons, or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or…
Were 40 years old or older as of April 28, 1994.
Even if not required by law to get the Alabama boating license, many boaters take the boat safety course in order to save on their PWC or boat insurance.

They say three weeks but I got mine in less than a week after taking the test.....

Started the test, gonna try to finish it up tomorrow.
But I'm not waiting. Going to carry on as usual.

Its a ridiculous test its all about money

Don't know how, but I got granfathered in when it became mandatory and I am 51. Never took the test. I think it has something to do with us in shop class years ago and the hunter education & boaters class we took.

Unless the law has changed, you do not have to show the V on your license if you pass the test. You will receive a cert number saying you passed. Just print out the paper and put in water tight bag/box. My wife did this when she passed hers and daughter too when she turned 14 for the jet ski use. They want their money no doubt.

I had never taken hunter education or the boating class. My birthday was less than a week too late to be grandfathered in on age. And I had none of those exemptions that Snuffy mentioned. Ironically, I had been certified to teach the hunter education and did teach several classes, but I never went through it as a student. There are some states that won't let me hunt there, but a moot point, as I don't wanna go there anyway.

But I do have the V on my driver's license now.

My youngest son took the online class/test this summer and it seems like he got his certificate in the mail the following week.

I can’t remember the exact year, but when this first became a requirement, there were workbooks you could get with a test in the back. Filled out the test “open book”, and mailed it in with a check. That’s how I got mine.

Times have changed, but it’s still all about the money.

I remember taking that dern paper test at the courthouse. It was not easy.

Correct, just as PCP stated. Got the booklet, studied while waiting to take the test and just barely passed. PWC rules and buoys got me.

I took my test sometime around 1995. Basically if you have ever ridden in a boat, you can pass the test. I took it at the courthouse and got a paper copy the same day. A laminated copy came in the mail a few weeks later.

yep same

I don't think that's correct. ALEA's website says you have to add it to your license.

ALEA...



Kids under 16 don't have a driver's license, so the certificate suffices there.

Hunterbuck, let me be a little more clear. I do not think you have to get it added immediately thus having a copy of the confirmation number. Just have it added next license renewal. I may be wrong, have been before!

Same here also, way back yonder years ago.

I'll go ahead and do the test, then add it when I get a chance.

Red Right Returning! I remember my surprise when I moved here from Texas (Texas I was grand fathered in). Took it online and printed two copies of the certification. One I kept in the boat, the other I took to the DMV. I've been checked twice by the GW's in the six years I've lived here. They never asked to see my DL.

If you can, wait until your DL is up for renewal. When the operators license went into effect, I made the mistake of taking the test and having it added to my license right then (this was around April or so that year). Paid for the operator's test and a new DL. I didn't even pay attention to my DL and had to renew it when it expired in June. I could have waited until June then did both at the same time and not paid for my DL twice. And, of course, the ever so nice people at the DL office didn't bother to tell me either.

You've been checked one less time than I have and I've lived here 49 years.

NO lie, I just got my DL and boat registration renewal. Youd think somebody woulda said something.

Ive fished lake guntersville all my life and ive never been asked to see my drivers license. Its just a money thing

Mr State Trooper likes to take his boat out on Saturday afternoons. He used to stop if we were anchored and do a safety check. Now he just waves at us. Really nice guy.