← Utah boating laws›Life Jacket Rules

Utah Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: Utah requires passengers 12 years old and younger to wear a properly sized Coast Guard-approved life jacket whenever a boat is in operation.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

Boating rules change at the state line — and in your state.Track them in the free LawLert iPhone app: it alerts you when you cross into a state where they differ, and when they change in your state. No account.Get the app

Official source: stateparks.utah.gov →

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

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering Utah

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

ArizonaConditional
In Arizona, all children 12 years of age and younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket whenever underway on any vessel.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: azgfd.com · Full Arizona rule →
ColoradoConditional
Colorado requires children 12 years of age and younger to wear a life jacket whenever the vessel is on the water, except when in an enclosed cabin or below deck.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: cpw.state.co.us · Full Colorado rule →
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 →
NevadaConditional
In Nevada, passengers 13 and under must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while any boat is underway, unless they are in an enclosed area (NRS 488.193).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ndow.org · Full Nevada rule →
New MexicoConditional
In New Mexico, children under 13 must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the vessel is underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: emnrd.nm.gov · Full New Mexico 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 →

Don't get caught off guardCross into a state where this law is different and the free iPhone app tells you what changed, even with the app closed. It also alerts you when a law you track changes where you live. No account.Get the free app

Track this law — get alerted when it changes

We watch the official sources behind Utah boating rules. If a tracked rule changes, you get one short email — never more than one a week. Free, unsubscribe anytime.