Boat licenses required for 17 and under

With warm-weather days increasing, so are the number boats on the water. In the midst of all the fun, sometimes it?s easy to forget even boating has its restrictions under Tennessee State Law. One of those laws is the restriction on teen drivers.

Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1989 must successfully complete the TWRA Boating Safety exam before being allowed to operate a boat. The TWRA-issued wallet Boating Safety Education Certificate is the only proof that will be accepted as meeting the requirements of the law.

The first class in McMinnville was given May 18. For those who missed the test, two more will be given at the Warren County Administration Building on June 15 and July 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. The instruction and test takes one hour.

Anyone wishing to take the exam must first purchase a $10 boat safety exam permit from any business (license agent) that sells hunting and fishing licenses. Don?t lose the receipt because it is the ticket to take the exam.

Although instruction is given before the exam, everyone is encouraged to study boating safety material before the test.

Once the exam has been passed, the receipt will also serve as a temporary certificate until the TWRA card is received by mail in a few weeks. If the card is lost by the recipient, a duplicate can be purchased at a license agent for $5.

For those who do not pass the exam, don?t lose the receipt. The receipt can continue to be used to take the exam as many times as it takes to pass.

Other exams will be offered throughout the state. A complete list of locations, dates and times for the exam can be obtained from the TWRA Web site at www.tnwildlife.org, or call 1-800-837-6012.