Compliance Guides

Minnesota Regulatory Guide

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates boating to ensure safety and environmental conservation. They enforce rules on boat registration, safety equipment, and speed limits while promoting responsible practices through education. The DNR aims to strike a balance between recreational boating and preserving Minnesota's natural resources. On this page, we navigate you through everything you need to have in place in order to ensure that your boat rental business is compliant with Minnesota’s regulations, along with some other important things to keep in mind.

Boxes you need to tick

These are requirements as defined by law:

Age Requirement

Cannot rent or lease to someone unless they are over 18 years old and hold a valid watercraft operator's permit.

Cannot rent or lease a motorboat, including personal watercraft, to someone unless they hold a valid watercraft operator’s permit (or exempt) and are over 18 years old.

Inspections

All watercraft offered for rent are subject to periodic inspections by the county sheriff.

All watercraft offered for rent are subject to periodic inspections by the county sheriff. An inspection decal will be issued to each craft that passed the inspection.

Rental Agreement

A motorboat rental business must have a motorboat rental agreement for each rental.

A motorboat rental business must list on each motorboat rental or lease agreement the name and age of each operator who is authorized to operate the motorboat or personal watercraft. The renter or lessee of the motorboat must ensure that only listed authorized operators operate the motorboat or personal watercraft.

Registration Requirement

All motorized craft regardless of length and all non-motorized craft over 10 feet must be registered with the DNR.

Permits

A permit to carry passengers for hire is issued to a boat that satisfies Minnesota's inspection requirements.

A permit to carry passengers for hire is issued to a boat that satisfies Minnesota's inspection requirements. All boats-for-hire must have an annual safety inspection, while the vessel is in the water, prior to carrying passengers for hire.

License Requirement

Required for all operators under 18 years of age.

The information provided is intended to be general and informative, and should not be interpreted as regulatory, legal, or insurance advice. It does not constitute professional advice from a licensed insurance agent and does not establish an attorney-client or insurer-insured relationship. This information should not replace the counsel of a qualified legal, regulatory, or insurance professional. Always consult with a qualified professional for legal, regulatory, or insurance advice pertaining to your specific circumstances.

Boat Rental Accident Reporting

If an accident occurs, follow these simple steps:

• Call 911.

• Stop at the scene and assist others who are in trouble if you can do so safely (required by law).

• Don’t risk your life or the lives of others to save equipment.

• If a second boat or other property is involved, exchange your name and boat number with the other operator or owner (as required by law).

• The county sheriff investigates all watercraft accidents, follow their instruction.

• The following accidents must be reported to the county sheriff:

– Property damage of $2,000 or more.

– Personal injury.

– A fatality.

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Rental Boat Accident Reporting Form

Report Accident

Minnesota Regulatory Guide

Boxes you need to tick

Keep in mind when renting out boats

Required

Recommended

Not required

Boat Rental Accident Reporting

Federal Regulation

Compliance by State

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