§33-5-57. Persons to whom boater safety certification shall not be issued.

(a) A boater safety certification may not be issued to the following persons:

(1) Any person less than 12 years of age.

(2) Any person whose vessel operating right or privilege is suspended.

(3) Any person whose vessel operating right or privilege is revoked.

(4) Any person who is an habitual abuser of alcohol or drugs.

(5) Any person afflicted with or suffering from a physical or mental disability which, in the opinion of the Director of Public Safety or examining officer, will prevent the person from exercising reasonable and ordinary control over a vessel.

(6) Any person who is ineligible to receive a driver's license pursuant to Act 2009-713.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a person 12 years of age, but less than 14 years of age, who does not have a valid boater safety certification on January 1, 2002, may not operate a vessel, including a personal watercraft, unless the person obtains a valid boater safety certification and is under the immediate supervision of a person who is 21 years of age or older having a valid boater safety certification and who is on the vessel and is in a position to take immediate physical control of the vessel if needed. Also, notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, Alabama residents 12 years of age, but less than 14 years of age on January 1, 2002, may apply for and obtain a boater safety certification and operate a vessel, including a personal watercraft, to the same extent and under the same conditions as persons 14 years of age.

(Acts 1994, No. 94-652, p. 1243, §10; Act 2001-695, p. 1477, §3; Act 2009-713, p. 2095, §3.)