It's the Law: Before Going Out

All operators are required to obey laws that regulate your vessel’s registration, titling, and operation.

Registering Your Boat or PWC    IC 9-31-3

• An Indiana certificate of registration is required to operate a vessel legally on public waters unless the vessel is non-motorized (vessels using an electric trolling motor require registration).
• Apply to any Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) License Branch to obtain a certificate of registration.
• You must keep the certificate on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated.
• If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate it or allow others to operate it unless it is registered and properly numbered.
• If you lose or destroy your certificate of registration, you must apply to the BMV for a duplicate and pay a processing fee.
• Registration information must be kept current.
  • If you change your address, you must notify a BMV License Branch within 30 days of the change.
  • If you transfer ownership of your vessel or if it is destroyed, you should report it to your local BMV License Branch within 15 days.
• Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens may (at the option of the owner) be documented by the U.S. Coast Guard (call 1-800-799-8362). USCG–documented vessels also must be registered but are exempt from displaying the “IN” registration number.
• If a registered vessel is sold or otherwise transferred to another person, the “buyer”:
  • Must apply for the certificate of registration to be transferred to his or her name within 31 days from the date of purchase.
  • May operate vessel purchased from a licensed boat dealer for 31 days with a bill of sale and a temporary permit displayed on the forward portion of the vessel.
  • May operate vessel purchased from an individual for 31 days with the valid registration card of the previous owner.

Boat Excise Tax     IC 6-6-11

Indiana law requires owners of vessels that are operated, used, docked, or stored in Indiana to pay the boat excise tax.

• Vessels subject to excise tax include:
  • Motorboats registered in Indiana
  • Sailboats
• The amount of boat excise tax paid:
  • Is based on the value of the vessel when new and is reduced 10% each year up to a 50% reduction of the original amount.
  • Is a set fee for vessels that are stored in Indiana for 60 consecutive days or more in a boating year but are not used or docked in Indiana waters.
• When you receive your certificate of registration, you also receive two excise tax decals.
• Decals include the date of expiration. Only the current decals may be displayed.
• The boat excise tax decals are valid for one year. Owners of registered vessels will be sent a renewal notice to their residence automatically.
• If you lose or destroy your decals, you must apply to the BMV for duplicates and submit a processing fee.

Titling Your Boat or PWC    IC 9-31-2

• A vessel that must be registered also must have a certificate of title unless the vessel was:
  • Acquired by the owner before January 1, 1986 or …
  • Less than $3,000 in value when new or …
  • Home-built for personal use and not for resale.
• Although there are exemptions from titling, you still may want to title your vessel. A title verifies ownership in case the vessel is stolen.

Display of Number and Decals    140 IAC 9-4-2

The registration number and excise tax decals must be displayed as follows.

• Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow.

• Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
• Number’s color must contrast sharply with its background.
• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
• Letters must be separated from the numbers by a two-inch space: IN 8811 BM.
• Number must be a single color and clearly legible from a distance of 100 feet.
• Excise tax decals must be affixed on both sides of the bow, to the right of and within three inches of the number.
• No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow..

Certain sailboats may qualify for an alternate display location for these decals (312 IAC 5-12.5-1).

If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate it or allow others to operate your vessel unless it is registered and numbered as described above.