Frequently Asked Questions about South Dakota Boating Regulations & Laws

Q. What is the "South Dakota Boater Education Card"?

A. A South Dakota Boater Education Card (also sometimes incorrectly referred to as the South Dakota Boaters License) is proof of competency of the basic rules of the water that all boaters should know.

Q. Do I have to get a Boater Education Card?

A. In South Dakota, boater education is not a requirement but doing so will allow you to test your skills to be a better and safer boater. Also, you may be eligible for a savings on marine insurance for having your Boater Education Card.

Q. How do I get my Boater Education Card?

A. You can obtain your South Dakota Boater Education Card in 3 easy steps:

  1. Pay the one-time fee of $19.95 — free unlimited retries of the final exam
  2. Study the South Dakota Boating Safety Course and pass the final exam
  3. Print off your Certificate of Completion and receive your Boater Education Card in the mail within 3-5 weeks

For a complete overview of the South Dakota online boating exam process, please visit our South Dakota Online Exam Process overview page.

Q. What if I don't pass the South Dakota Boating Test?

A. No problem. There is no cost to retry the exam if you do not pass. You will receive your score and be allowed to review any of your wrong answers. You can then review the course material and take the exam again at no cost to you.

Q. How much does the Boating Safety Course cost?

A. There is a one-time fee of $19.95 paid to BOATERexam.com®. It includes unlimited free retries of the final exam. Learn more about BOATERexam.com's Risk-Free Policy.

Q. What payment methods are accepted?

A. We accept payments by VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, PayPal, and Prepaid vouchers.

Q. When will I receive my Boater Education Card in the mail?

A. Your card will arrive in 3-5 weeks from the date you take your exam.

Q. Is there a time limit to complete the final exam?

A. You can take the final exam at any time, day or night. The exam is not timed but inactive exams will be erased after 24 hours.

Q. Is there a time limit to complete the online course?

A. You can take the online course at any time, day or night. However, courses must be completed within 90 days of payment at which time your access to the course will expire.

Q. How many questions are on the exam?

A. The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions.

Q. What is the passing grade?

A. The passing grade is 80%, or 48 correct answers out of 60 questions.

BOATERexam.com® Risk Free Policy

Our Risk Free Policy is designed so you can feel confident about choosing BOATERexam.com® to get your Alabama Boater Card. We offer two simple money-back guarantees:

1. You will pass the course

Over 98% of our students pass the final exam on the first try! If, however, you don't pass the final exam, just give us a call and we'll issue a full refund.

2. You will be satisfied with your BOATERexam.com® experience

97% of our students recommend the online course to others. Our course is the best in the industry and we stand behind that promise. If we don't meet your expectations, call us for a full refund.

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