Virginia’s Boater Education law applies to boaters operating on all public waters of the Commonwealth. This includes the river systems (both fresh and tidal water), the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay, waters up to 3 miles off the Virginia coast, the Virginia portion of any lakes shared with an adjoining state, and most of the lakes wholly located in Virginia.

Boat operators on Virginia’s private lakes or ponds are exempt from the state’s Boater Education Requirement.