← North Dakota boating laws›Life Jacket Rules

North Dakota Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: 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).

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: ndlegis.gov →

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

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering North Dakota

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

MinnesotaConditional
Minnesota requires a life jacket be worn by children less than 10 years of age when aboard a watercraft that is underway (not tied at a dock or permanent mooring).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dnr.state.mn.us · Full Minnesota rule →
MontanaConditional
Montana requires children under 12 to wear a life jacket on a boat less than 26 feet in length that is in motion.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: fwp.mt.gov · Full Montana 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 →

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