Louisiana § RS 34:855.3 - Regulation of personal watercraft
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 34:855.3 — Regulation of personal watercraft, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 34:855.3. Regulation of personal watercraft
A. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.
B. A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard type engine cutoff switch shall attach such lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal flotation device as appropriate for the specific vessel.
C. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft at any time between sunset and sunrise unless equipped with navigational lights in accordance with the regulations of the United States Coast Guard.
D. A personal watercraft shall at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner as defined in R.S. 34:851.5.
E. No person under the age of sixteen may operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state.
F. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any personal watercraft or any person having charge over or control of a personal watercraft to authorize or knowingly permit the same to be operated by a person under the age provided for in Subsection E of this Section.
G. A violation of any provision of this Section shall be a class one violation subject to penalties and enforcement procedures as set forth in Title 56 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.
Acts 1991, No. 97, §1; Acts 1999, No. 12, §1; Acts 2004, No. 709, §1; Acts 2009, No. 27, §1; Acts 2023, No. 136, §1.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 34:855.3
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 34:855.3 cover?
Section RS 34:855.3 ("Regulation of personal watercraft") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 34:855.3?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 34:855.3" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 34:855.3 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.