Boating Laws Changed in Alabama

If you’re a non-resident of the state of Alabama are you required to have a boater’s license to drive a boat on Lake Martin? That’s the question, and the short answer is yes. 

Recently, the boating laws have changed in Alabama. There are tons of exceptions that I think are really interesting. In this blog, I’ll go over those. 

Boating Laws for Non-Residents

A new law that just passed last year is called HB 375. It says that everybody has to have a license to operate a motorized vehicle on Lake Martin. So, that goes for non-residents too. 

If your official residence is somewhere other than the state of Alabama, then you have to have an operator’s license. You have to pass a test that’s given by the state. However, there are three huge exceptions to this rule. 

Exception #1 for Out-of-State Boaters on Lake Martin Alabama  

The first exception is if it’s non-motorized. These include sailboats, canoes, and rowboats. I’m not sure how many times I’ve seen a rowboat on Lake Martin, but if it’s a non-motorized boat like that you don’t have to have a license.

Exception #2 on Lake Martin Alabama

Exception number two is if you’re test driving a boat. For example, if you were test driving a boat at The Ridge and were accompanied by somebody from the marina, then you would not have to have a license. 

Then, another really big exception is if you have a boater’s license in your state, and it reciprocates with Alabama, then you don’t have to take the Alabama one separately.

Exception #3 on Lake Martin Alabama

This one is super controversial at least around Lake Martin. If you’re renting a boat, then you don’t have to have a Alabama’s boater’s license. So, if you’re from out of state and rent a boat from an official boat rental place, then you do not have to have a separate Alabama boater’s license. 

There’s a bunch of rules and stipulations on that. You have to have a copy of the contract on board, and you have to be instructed by the company that you rent it from. 

The bottom line is if you’re renting a boat from an official spot, then you do not have to have a boater’s license. That was kind of controversial. 

Real Estate on Lake Martin

When it comes to the new boating laws, please confirm what I’m saying. I’m not a law expert so don’t quote me to any marine patrol. I’m just a real estate agent, but those are the big exceptions to the new rules. 

Like I said, I’m a real estate agent here on Lake Martin. I would love to help you out with buying or selling a home on the lake. I’ve been doing this for 20 years now, so I would love to use my knowledge about real estate to help you find your dream lake home. 

To reach me, give me a call at the number on the top of this page, shoot me an email, or use my Contact Page. I look forward to hearing my you!

Interested in learning more about living on Lake Martin? Then, make sure to check out my YouTube channel. I get a lot of my clients through my videos. If the videos are beneficial to you, then subscribe to my channel. That’s the best way to let me know they helped you. 

For more blogs about Lake Martin, visit the links listed below: 

New Boating Laws on Lake Martin Alabama

Election Impact on Lake Martin Real Estate

What’s the BAD SIDE of Lake Martin Alabama?