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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>357177</law_id><section_number>29.1-749.3</section_number><catch_line>Personal watercraft instruction; rental agents</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="72" identifier="29.1">Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="12" identifier="7">Boating Laws</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="5" identifier="4">Personal Watercraft</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Any person who is in the business of renting <span class="dictionary">personal watercraft</span> to the public shall provide to any person who rents a <span class="dictionary">personal watercraft</span> instruction on the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the Commonwealth governing <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> operation, specific operating requirements of the <span class="dictionary">personal watercraft</span> being rented, <span class="dictionary">motorboat</span> safety equipment requirements, requirements in the case of a reportable accident, and such other information as the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> may require. The content and methods of instruction shall be approved by the <span class="dictionary">Director</span>.</p><p>Any attorney for the county, city or town in which an alleged violation of this section occurred may enforce this section by a <span class="dictionary">civil action</span> to recover a civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> not to exceed $250. The civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> shall be paid into the local treasury. No filing fee or other fee or cost shall be charged to the county, city or town which instituted the action.</p><p>The <span class="dictionary">fact</span> of a violation of this section shall not constitute <span class="dictionary">negligence</span> per se, be considered in mitigation of <span class="dictionary">damages</span> of whatever nature, be <span class="dictionary">admissible</span> in <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> or be the subject of comment by <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> in any action for the recovery of <span class="dictionary">damages</span> arising out of the operation, ownership or maintenance of a <span class="dictionary">personal watercraft</span>. This section shall not change any existing <span class="dictionary">law</span>, rule or procedure pertaining to any such <span class="dictionary">civil action</span>, nor shall this section bar any claim which otherwise exists.</p></section></text><history>1998, c. 512.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
