Missouri Department of RevenueBoater Identification Indicator
Pursuant to section 306.127, RSMo, every person born after January 1, 1984, operating a vessel on the lakes of the state shall carry a valid photo identification document and the Boating Safety Education Card issued by the Missouri State Water Patrol. The Missouri State Water Patrol will also accept a driver license or nondriver license with the Boater Identification indicator in lieu of carrying a photo ID and the Boating Safety Education Card.
Any resident of Missouri who possesses a valid Boating Safety Education Card issued by the Missouri State Water Patrol may apply for a Boater Identification indicator on a driver license or nondriver license. The indicator is placed on the back of the driver or nondriver license. The issuance of a boater identification indicator on a driver license or nondriver license is optional.
Applicants may apply for the Boater Identification indicator at their local license office by presenting the following:
- Proof of name, date of birth, place of birth, residence address and social security number as applicable. Check here for a list of acceptable documents.
- A valid “Missouri State Water Patrol Boating Safety Education Card” as proof of successful completion of a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and certified by the Missouri State Water Patrol.
- Applicable driver license or nondriver license document and processing fees and $1.00 to add the Boater Identification indicator.
- Who is required to complete a boating safety education course?
- Where can I find information about the boating safety education course?
- If I add the boater identification indicator to my driver or nondriver license do I have to pay the additional cost of $1.00 to keep the indicator on my next transaction?
- Do I have to present my Boating Safety Education Card to renew a driver license or nondriver license with a boater identification indicator?
- If I have an old paper certification card from years ago, do I still need a new, plastic Boating Safety Education Card?
- Can I use a Boating Safety Education Card from another state to obtain the indicator on my Missouri license?
- What does the Boater Identification indicator look like?
Who is required to complete a boating safety education course?
Every person born after January 1, 1984, or as required pursuant to section 306.128, RSMo, who operates a vessel on the lakes of this state shall possess, on the vessel, a Boating Safety Education Card issued by the Missouri State Water Patrol or its agent pursuant to section 306.127, RSMo. The Missouri State Water Patrol will also accept a driver license or nondriver license with the Boater Identification indicator in lieu of carrying a photo ID and the Boating Safety Education Card.
For more information regarding the mandatory boater education law go to http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/Education/2005EducationFAQs.htm
Where can I find information about the boating safety education course?
Visit the Missouri State Water Patrol web site at http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/Education/SafetyClassList.asp
If I add the boater identification indicator to my driver or nondriver license do I have to pay the additional cost of $1.00 to keep the indicator on my next transaction?
No, you will not have to pay again upon subsequent driver license transactions. The same would apply for a nondriver license and subsequent nondriver license transactions. However:
- If you added the Boater Identification indicator to your driver license and now request to add the Boater Identification indicator to a nondriver license you will be required to pay the cost of $1.00 to add the initial indicator to the nondriver license.
- If you added the Boater Identification indicator to your nondriver license and now request to add the Boater Identification indicator to a driver license you will be required to pay the cost of $1.00 to add the initial indicator to the driver license.
Do I have to present my Boating Safety Education Card to renew a driver license or nondriver license with a boater identification indicator?
No, you only have to present your Boating Safety Education Card upon initial application for the Boater Identification indicator. You do not have to present the card to retain the Boater Identification indicator on future transactions. However:
- If you had added the Boater Identification indicator to a driver license and now want to add the Boater Identification indicator to a nondriver license, you must again present the Boating Safety Education Card for verification.
- If you had added the Boater Identification indicator to a nondriver license and now want to add the Boater Identification indicator to a driver license, you must again present the Boating Safety Education Card for verification.
If I have an old paper certification card from years ago, do I still need a new, plastic Boating Safety Education Card?
Yes, for purposes of obtaining the new Boater Identification indicator, the Department of Revenue will only accept the current plastic card format. You may request a new card through the Missouri State Water Patrol as long as you still have the old card and pay a $10.00 replacement fee. For instructions on how to order a replacement Boating Safety Education Card go to: http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/Education/2005EducationFAQs.htm
Can I use a Boating Safety Education Card from another state to obtain the indicator on my Missouri license?
No, applicants must obtain a Missouri Boating Safety Education Card to be eligible for the Boater Identification indicator.
What does the Boater Identification indicator look like?
The Boater Identification indicator will be displayed as an image of a ship's wheel, located at the bottom left-hand corner on the back of the license. Refer to the image, below.
