Jet Ski Laws in Maryland (2026): Rules Every Rider Must Know
Maryland has over 12,000 registered personal watercraft on its waters. That’s a lot of riders. And a lot of chances to accidentally break the law.
Most people hop on a jet ski thinking it’s no big deal. But Maryland has strict rules that catch many riders off guard. Get them wrong and you could face fines up to $500. Let’s break it all down.
What Is a Personal Watercraft (PWC)?
A personal watercraft, or PWC, is any small jet-propelled vessel you ride while sitting, standing, or kneeling on top. Think Jet Skis, Wave Runners, and Sea-Doos. These are all PWCs.
Here’s the thing: Maryland treats your jet ski exactly like a boat. That means all general boating laws apply to you. Plus, there are extra rules just for PWC riders.
Pretty straightforward, right?
Do You Need a License to Ride a Jet Ski in Maryland?
Okay, this one surprises a lot of people.
Maryland does not issue a traditional “jet ski license.” But that doesn’t mean you can just hop on and go. If you were born on or after July 1, 1972, you must carry a Maryland Boating Safety Education Certificate to legally operate any motorized vessel. That includes jet skis.
This certificate never expires once you earn it. But you must carry it with you every time you ride. A Natural Resources Police officer can ask to see it at any time.
Not sure if this applies to you? Check your birthday. If you were born after July 1, 1972, you need it. No exceptions.
Age Requirements
Here’s a hard rule: you must be at least 16 years old to operate a PWC in Maryland. This applies even if you have your boating safety certificate.
No exceptions here. A 15-year-old with a certificate still cannot legally ride a jet ski. Period.
Younger kids can ride as passengers, but they cannot operate the craft themselves.
Registration Rules
Your jet ski is a vessel. That means it needs to be registered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, just like a boat.
You also need to pay a 5% vessel excise tax when you first purchase the PWC. As of July 1, 2025, the maximum excise tax is $16,000. There is a minimum of $5. This tax applies to the purchase price or fair market value.
Here’s something unique to Maryland. All registered PWCs must display a Maryland PWC Regulations Sticker. This sticker is provided by the Natural Resources Police. It comes with your registration paperwork automatically.
The sticker must go on the upper half of your PWC. It needs to be somewhere you can clearly read it while riding. You cannot put it under a seat or inside a compartment. The sticker comes in two colors. Use the dark sticker on light-colored PWCs. Use the light sticker on dark-colored PWCs.
Operating without this sticker is a violation. So is letting someone else operate your PWC without it.
Life Jacket Rules
Hold on, this part is important.
Every single person on a PWC must wear a life jacket at all times while the craft is moving. This is not optional. It’s the law.
The life jacket must be a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V. Inflatable life jackets are not recommended for jet ski riders. The high-impact nature of PWC riding makes traditional jackets much safer.
For kids under 13, the rules are even stricter. Children under 13 must wear a life jacket on any recreational vessel under 21 feet while the boat is moving. Children under 4 need a jacket with extra safety features. This includes a strap between the legs, a high collar for buoyancy, and a grab handle.
The Kill Switch Rule
Every PWC in Maryland must have a working engine cut-off device. You might know this as a kill switch or a lanyard.
Here’s how it works. You clip the lanyard to your wrist or life jacket before you start the engine. If you fall off, the lanyard pulls out and cuts the engine. This stops the PWC from circling back and hitting you.
You must actually use the lanyard. Having it on the craft is not enough. Attach it to yourself every single ride.
Speed and Distance Rules
Now, here’s where things get serious.
Maryland has very specific rules about how fast you can go and how close you can get to certain things. Let’s go through them.
You must stay at 6 knots or slower when you are within 100 feet of any of the following: another PWC, another vessel, any shore, any pier, any pilings, any bridge structure, any bridge abutment, or any people in the water. Six knots is roughly 6.9 miles per hour. That’s barely faster than a brisk walk.
If you are riding on the Atlantic Ocean in Maryland, the rule is even stricter. You must stay at least 300 feet away from anyone in the water or any surf fishermen. That’s the length of a football field.
In very shallow water less than 18 inches deep, you cannot go faster than idle speed at all. The only exception is if you need to speed up to safely cross or pass another vessel.
Wondering how big 100 feet is? Think of it as roughly the distance of a 10-story building laid on its side. Stay that far away from everything.
No Nighttime Riding
Simple rule. You cannot operate a jet ski between sunset and sunrise in Maryland.
No exceptions. No late-night rides. No “just a quick spin” after dark. If the sun is down, your PWC stays do
Dangerous Operation Is Illegal
Maryland law bans operating a PWC in any careless or negligent manner. This includes some specific behaviors you might not expect.
You cannot splash other people intentionally. You cannot race in a reckless way. You cannot intentionally throw a passenger off. You cannot weave through congested waterway traffic in a dangerous way.
Basically, if you’re showing off and putting others at risk, you’re breaking the law.
Think of it like reckless driving on the road, but on water.
Towing Rules
Want to tow someone on water skis or a tube with your jet ski? You can, but only under specific conditions.
Your PWC must have a capacity rating for at least three people. You need room for the operator, an observer, and the person being towed. The craft must also be specifically designed by the manufacturer for towing.
The observer must be at least 12 years old. And just like regular boating, water skiing and tubing are not allowed within 100 feet of shore, docks, bridge pilings, or other boats.
Special Rules at Deep Creek Lake
Riders at Deep Creek Lake need to pay extra attention. There are additional time restrictions just for this location.
Jet skis and other PWCs cannot be operated at Deep Creek Lake between 11 AM and 4 PM on the following days: the Saturday through Monday of Memorial Day Weekend, and every Saturday, Sunday, and state holiday from July 1 through Labor Day.
I looked this up because I wasn’t sure. The rule caught me off guard. It might catch you off guard too.
Plan your Deep Creek Lake rides around these windows. Early mornings and evenings are your best bet during summer.
Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
Alcohol and jet skis don’t mix. This is true on land and even more true on water.
It is illegal to operate any vessel in Maryland while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are found guilty of boating under the influence, you can face up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000 for a first offense. The penalties double on a second conviction. They triple on a third.
Honestly, this is the part most people underestimate. Officers can and do enforce BUI on the water just like police enforce DUI on roads.
Penalties and Consequences
So what happens if you break the rules?
Most PWC violations in Maryland carry fines up to $500. This includes things like riding without your boating safety certificate, missing the regulations sticker, or violating speed and distance rules.
BUI carries much harsher penalties, including possible jail time. And if you commit two violations within a single year, you may be required to complete a boating safety education course, no matter your age.
Maryland Natural Resources Police actively patrol the waterways. They will stop you. They will check your certificate and registration. Don’t assume you won’t get caught.
Registration Fee Changes in 2025
Here’s a recent update worth knowing.
The Maryland General Assembly approved an increase to boating title and registration fees in April 2025. These new fees took effect on October 1, 2025. This was the first fee increase in 42 years, so it was long overdue. Check the Maryland DNR website for the current fee amounts.
How to Stay Legal on the Water
You’re not alone. A lot of people head out on the water without knowing all the rules. The good news is, it’s easy to get this right.
Here’s what you need to do before your next ride. First, get your boating safety certificate if you were born on or after July 1, 1972. You can take an approved course online. Second, register your PWC with Maryland DNR and display your regulations sticker properly. Third, make sure everyone on the craft has an approved life jacket. Fourth, attach the kill switch lanyard to yourself before starting the engine. Fifth, know your speed limits and distance rules before you hit the water.
Keep your certificate and registration documents with you every time you ride. Officers can and will ask for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to ride a jet ski in Maryland? Not a traditional license. But if you were born after July 1, 1972, you need a Maryland Boating Safety Education Certificate to legally operate a PWC.
What is the minimum age to ride a jet ski in Maryland? You must be at least 16 years old to operate a PWC in Maryland, even if you have your boating safety certificate.
Can I ride my jet ski at night in Maryland? No. Operating a PWC between sunset and sunrise is illegal in Maryland.
Does everyone on the jet ski need to wear a life jacket? Yes. Every person on a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the craft is moving. No exceptions.
What happens if I get caught breaking PWC rules? You could face fines up to $500 for most violations. BUI violations can result in up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000. Repeat violations may require you to take a boating safety course.
Can I ride my jet ski at Deep Creek Lake anytime I want? Not during summer. PWCs are banned from Deep Creek Lake between 11 AM and 4 PM on Memorial Day Weekend days and every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday from July 1 through Labor Day.
Do out-of-state riders need to follow Maryland’s PWC rules? Yes. Anyone operating a PWC on Maryland waters must follow Maryland’s laws, regardless of where they live or where the craft is registered.
Final Thoughts
Maryland has some of the most detailed PWC laws in the region. Most of the rules exist for one reason: to keep everyone safe on the water.
Now you know the basics. Get certified, register your craft, wear your life jacket, use your kill switch, and know your speed limits. Follow these rules and you can enjoy everything Maryland’s beautiful waterways have to offer.
When in doubt, check the Maryland DNR website or call the Natural Resources Police. Stay informed, stay safe, and have a great ride.
References
- Maryland DNR – Personal Water Craft Regulations: https://dnr.maryland.gov/nrp/pages/boatingsafety/personal-water-craft.aspx
- Maryland DNR – Boat Registration: https://dnr.maryland.gov/boating/pages/registration.aspx
- Boat-Ed Maryland Boating Laws and Regulations: https://www.boat-ed.com/maryland/boating_law/
- BoaterExam – Maryland PWC Regulations: https://www.boaterexam.com/usa/maryland/regulations/
- Deep Creek Times – Deep Creek Boating Regulations (December 2025): https://deepcreektimes.com/deep-creek-boating-regulations/
- Recademics – Do You Need a License to Drive a Jet Ski in Maryland (January 2026): https://recademics.com/blog/boating/maryland-jet-ski-license/
