Boater Endorsement

The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have partnered to help boaters show they have the required boater education. A boating indicator – a small anchor - will be added to the front of a driver’s license or ID card. Customers will no longer need to have a boating safety education card with them when boating.

Georgia requires that anyone born on or after January 1, 1998, who operates any motorized vessel on the waters of the state must complete a boater education course.

Visit the DNR website for more information on:

  • Boating requirements and exemptions
  • DNR Boater education course

Process

  • Customers who complete a DNR approved classroom course:
    • Will automatically have their information submitted electronically to DDS by DNR.
    • DDS will update their record with the course information. Customers must have a Georgia License or ID or had one in the past.
    • The next time you update or renew your license or id, the boater indicator will be added to your card. 
    • If you renew online and DDS has a record of the course, the indicator will be placed on your card. 
  • Customers who complete an online National Association of State Boating Laws Administrators (NASBLA) approved boater education course:  
    • Must bring the original certificate of completion to a DDS Customer Service Center. 
    • You may be subject to issuance or renewal fees to have the indicator placed on your card.