| Department of Natural Resources 402 West Washington Street Room W255-D Indianapolis, IN 46204 www.in.gov/dnr/boating |
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| Registration & Titling Requirements Laws for Required Wearing of PFDs Additional Equipment Requirements Mufflers & Noise Levels Requirements for Waste, Oil & Garbage Disposal Mandatory Education & Age Requirements Reckless & Negligent Operation |
Boat Speed Limits Special Activities Restrictions & Considerations Operating Under the Influence Officer Authority, Compliance & Assistance Accident Reporting Requirements Other State Boating Laws |
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State Law vs. Federal Law These requirements are state specific and apply specifically to this state. Other states may have similar laws, and it is your responsibility to know the laws that govern the bodies of water upon which you boat. Federal Law preempts minimum state controls for boat and equipment standards. The United States Coast Guard has enforcement authority of federal laws and regulations on all federal and navigable waters in the United States that are not privately held. However, individual states can impose requirements beyond federal rules to meet uniquely hazardous local conditions or enforce local laws and regulations directed at safe boat operation and are enforced by locally designated peace officers. Waters of Concurrent Jurisdiction Some of the laws in the Indiana code refer to waters identified as "Waters of Concurrent Jurisdiction." These waters are identified as Lake Michigan (Indiana portion), the Great Miami River, the Ohio River and the portion of the Wabash River that forms a border between Indiana and Illinois. |
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Registration and Titling Requirements: All motorized watercraft operating on public waters of Indiana must have an Indiana certificate of registration and validation decals. This includes boats powered by an electric trolling motor. Boats that are documented by the U.S. Coast Guard must also be registered and display the excise decal. Vessels having valid registration in another state and not remaining in Indiana waters for more than 60 consecutive days need not be registered with the State. |
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To register your vessel, you must submit the proper application to any state Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) License Branch, or download forms at www.bmv.in.gov/watercraft/forms.html. Once in receipt of the application and fee, the BMV will issue a certificate of registration. The certificate of registration must be kept aboard the boat at all times and be readily available for inspection by a law enforcement officer. |
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![]() The BMV will also issue a set of validation decals. You must display your registration decals and registration numbers (beginning with IN) on the forward half of your vessel well above the waterline where it can be easily read by law enforcement officials. Letters and numbers are to be block style of at least 3" tall and must be a single color that must be clearly legible from a distance of 100 feet. Letters and numbers are to read from left to right and have a space or hyphen to separate letters and numbers. The validation decal must be affixed within three inches to the right of and in-line with the registration letters and numbers. Expired decals must be completely covered or removed. |
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The certificate of registration and validation decals must be renewed each year! |
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Watercraft that must be registered with the State must also be titled. A title verifies ownership when you sell your boat or if your boat is stolen. The following are exempt from titling:
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Laws for Required Wearing of PFDs : In addition to the federal PFD carriage requirements, Indiana has the following requirements for wearing a PFD: |
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![]() All boats must carry aboard the minimum federal equipment requirements. Some states may require additional safety gear to be carried aboard. At this time, Indiana does not require any specific additional safety equipment, but the following are some recommended items: Recommended Additional Safety Equipment!
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An effective factory-installed muffling system is required for the exhaust of each engine. Any boat operated on the waters of Indiana must be muffled with a permanently installed muffler or water exhaust manifold that cannot be bypassed, cut out, or otherwise altered. ![]() In general, do not modify your factory exhaust if the result makes it louder! Loud boat noise not only bothers other operators and users of the waterways, it can also disrupt peace ashore because of sound's ability to travel great distances over water. Excessive noise can also prevent a boat operator from hearing other boats' sound signals and warnings and can prevent you from hearing approaching law or rescue personnel. |
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Requirements for Waste, Oil and Garbage Disposal:
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All installed MSDs must be US Coast Guard certified |
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It is illegal to dump sewage, oil or garbage into any Indiana state waters!
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The Indiana Department of Natural Resources recommends all boaters, regardless of age, take a boating safety class. Although at Indiana does not have specific education requirements for adults, the State does have certain age restrictions for vessel and PWC operation. |
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The failure to exercise the degree of care necessary to prevent endangering life, limb, or property is considered dangerous. Therefore, no person shall operate any vessel or manipulate water skis, aquaplane, or similar device in manner that can bring harm to you, your passengers, and other boaters. Certain offenses can have points assessed against your driver's license. Some activities considered Dangerous Operation in Indiana:
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Additional laws that apply to personal watercraft (PWC): |
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![]() Boat speed limits are regulated by law for certain areas and conditions. When no speed limit is posted, operate your boat so that it will not endanger others. Always keep a proper lookout and never load a boat with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity. You are responsible for your wake!
In Indiana, No-Wake Speed is no greater than 5 miles per hour! |
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Many states regulate certain activities such as waterskiing, diving and hunting from a vessel. For your safety, and for those who may be in the water, you should learn and abide by these special laws. ![]() Special Activities, Restrictions & Requirements:
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State Boating Under the Influence (BUI) laws are becoming more stringent. As on the roadways, on-water enforcement officers may administer sobriety tests and conduct a blood alcohol content (BAC) examination. ![]() In Indiana:
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Conservation Officers of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR), the U.S. Coast Guard, and other law enforcement or peace officers have the authority to stop, halt or inspect vessels to enforce Indiana and federal boating laws. The U.S. Coast Guard regulates all federal waters including those of concurrent jurisdiction defined as: Lake Michigan (Indiana portion), the Great Miami River, the Ohio River and the portion of the Wabash River that forms a border between Indiana and Illinois. ![]() Conservation officers of the INDNR the have the authority to stop, These officers also have the authority to terminate voyages, escort boaters ashore, or order boaters to the nearest moorage if an unsafe condition is found that cannot be corrected on the spot. Boat operators must immediately yield and reduce speed when being overtaken, approached or directed by a law enforcement official. When operating in an area of law enforcement activity, reduce speed and give a wide berth until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement vessel. |
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![]() Operators involved in a boating accident that results in injury, death or disappearance of anyone involved, or if property damage exceeds $750, must notify the sheriff or nearest police department or the nearest conservation office by the quickest means possible. Failure to report an accident that results in bodily injury or death is a felony. Be prepared to provide your name, address and vessel registration numbers to authorities and all other involved parties. You must also file a written accident report supplied but the INDNR within 24 hours of the accident. |
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![]() Often times counties, cities and districts within a state will have different, more restrictive laws. Boating laws are subject to change and it is your responsibility to be informed of the law as it applies to you and your on-water activities. To be absolutely certain about specific boating laws in your state it is wise to contact your state boating agency. It is Your Responsibility – Be Informed! |
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We provide this information as a service and strive to keep this website up to date. Please let us know of any inconsistencies by bringing them to our attention at once at onlinecourse@boatus.com. Resources for these pages include state statutes, state web pages and state approved boating guides. BoatU.S. is not responsible for any misinterpretation of the law or any change in the law that is not adequately reflected in these pages. Damages as a result of failing to abide by stated law shall not be the responsibility of BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Foundation or its employees. |
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