Virginia's law states that boat operators with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08 percent or more by weight, by volume, shall be presumed to be under the influence of alcoholic intoxicants. Implied Consent Virginia also has an implied consent law. Unreasonable refusal to submit to these tests constitutes grounds for the revocation of the operator's privilege to operate a motorboat or watercraft on the waters of the Commonwealth. Zero Tolerance Law Virginia Law prohibits persons younger than 21 from consuming alcohol and operating a watercraft with any measurable alcohol level. Operation under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is a criminal offense.
Conviction can result in heavy fines, loss of operating privilege and jail time.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a personal watercraft, or the owner or any person having control to authorize or knowingly permit a person to operate a personal watercraft, unless the operator is at least 16 years of age, except any person age 14 or 15 may operate a personal watercraft if they have successfully completed an approved boating safety education course, carry proof of successful completion of such course, and show this proof upon request by a law enforcement officer. This change is effective January 1, 1999. This change does not prohibit the pulling of a skier with a rope of less than 50 feet in length, and is effective January 1, 1999. No person shall operate a personal watercraft after sunset or before sunrise. No person may operate a personal watercraft while carrying passengers in excess of the number for which the craft was designed by the manufacturer.