The Lake Norman Marine Commission on 23 April 2001 passed the:
"Consolidated Motor Boating and Personal Watercraft Safety and Education Regulations".

This basically states that persons from age 12 (see below) to 16 must pass a United States Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety course to operate a motor boat on Lake Norman. Lake Wylie and Mountain Island Lake already have this regulation in effect. Satisfactory completion of the Public Boating Course offered by the LNSPS will satisfy this regulation. This course is taught usually in the Spring and in the Fall of each year by experienced LNSPS volunteers.   

A listing of Boating Safety classes given by USPS, USCGAux, and Lighthouse Marine Service in the Charlotte and Lake Norman, NC area can be found on the web at: http://www.lnmc.org/.  Information about the Coast Guard Auxiliary course can be obtained by calling
the Coast Guard Auxiliary voice mailbox number at  704 - 663 - 3333.

Links to the new federal law about the Wearing of Personal Floatation Devices (PFD's) by Certain Children Aboard Recreational Vessels can be found at
USCG rules regarding PFDs