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Montana Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: Montana requires children under 12 to wear a life jacket on a boat less than 26 feet in length that is in motion.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: fwp.mt.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering Montana

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IdahoConditional
Idaho requires children 14 years of age or younger, on board vessels 19 feet or less, to wear an approved life jacket when the vessel is underway.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: parksandrecreation.idaho.gov · Full Idaho rule →
North DakotaConditional
North Dakota requires all persons 10 years of age or younger to wear a Coast Guard-approved wearable PFD on any vessel less than 27 feet while it is in operation (N.D.C.C. 20.1-13-20).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ndlegis.gov · Full North Dakota rule →
South DakotaConditional
South Dakota requires each child under 7 years old to wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD whenever the boat operates above no-wake speed, unless in a cabin or below deck.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: rules.sd.gov · Full South Dakota rule →
WyomingConditional
In Wyoming, children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway unless they are inside an enclosed cabin.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: wgfd.wyo.gov · Full Wyoming rule →

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