All motorboats must be registered (even if it's only an electric motor). This is like the license plate and inspection sticker on your car. It identifies your boat and shows that it is up to date. registration
To drive a care you need an operator's license. This is true of boats also, but it's called a boating safety certificate. For a car the age requirement is age 16 and over. For a boat, it's 12 and over for boats greater than 25 horsepower. This is also true if you are born after January 1, 1982. All operators also must have one to operate a personal watercraft.
Unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, etc.) must be registered or have the necessary permits when using any government owned water or access to other water. permits
Sound producing devices are required, depending on the type and length of boat. sound producing devices
Just like your car has a title, your boat needs a title too! Boat titling is required for all inboard motorboats with a model year of 1997 or newer (all personal watercraft) AND all outboard motorboats 14 feet or more in length with a model year of 1997 or newer. All inboard-powered boats, including all 1997 or newer personal watercraft, are subject to the titling requirement, regardless of length.
Unlike your car, there is a limit to how many passengers your boat can carry - too many and it may sink! How do you know? Most boats must have a capacity plate, that tells you exactly how many people and how much weight it can bear. A capacity plate is required on all monohull (single hull) boats, less than 20 feet in length, designed to carry two or more persons and propelled by machinery or oars as their main source of power. Boats exempt from having to display a capacity plate include pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats, inflatables, hydroplanes, personal watercraft. A capacity plate is required on all monohull (single hull) boats, less than 20 feet in length, designed to carry two or more persons and propelled by machinery or oars as their main source of power. Boats exempt from having to display a capacity plate include pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats, inflatables, hydroplanes, personal watercraftA capacity plate is required on all monohull (single hull) boats, less than 20 feet in length, designed to carry two or more persons and propelled by machinery or oars as their main source of power. Boats exempt from having to display a capacity plate include pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, sailboats, inflatables, hydroplanes, personal watercraft. Caution! All passengers count - even if they are not on the boat. For example, if your capacity it four, and you have four people in the boat and are towing two tubers, you officially have six people and are overloaded (because those two were in the boat at some point, and have to get back on the boat at some point.
You car has seat belts you must use - your boat does not. Instead, you must have a life jacket. If you're on a personal watercraft (also known as a jetski) you must wear it. If you are 12 and under you must wear it on boats less than 20 feet and length, unless at anchor, and all canoes and kayaks. Like with cars, your chances of survival in an accident are better if you are wearing your life jacket (PFD).
Traffic on the highway is regulated via traffic controls, lane markings, etc. You as a driver are responsible for driving according to the laws for motor vehicles. There are similar, yet distinctly different laws for boating. There are no lines painted on the water, and boats don't have brakes. It is up to you to learn the many rules of operating safely on the water. Probably the best way to learn is to take a safe boating course (and get your boating safety certificate). safety certificate
Boating Regulations