It's the Law: Before Going Out
Who May Operate a Vessel IC 14-15-11
- All motorboat or PWC operators must have a valid driver’s license to operate on all Indiana public waters.
- Motorboat operators who are 15 years of age may operate a motorboat or PWC until they become a licensed driver only if they complete a boater education course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have on board an ID card issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
- A person who has never been licensed by the BMV must complete an approved boater education course successfully and have on board an ID issued by the Indiana BMV to operate a motorboat legally.
- No one under 15 years of age may legally operate a motorboat greater than 10 horsepower or a PWC.
- If you operate your motorboat recklessly while intoxicated or break the PWC laws, you could have points assessed against your vehicle driver’s license.
- On Indiana boundary waters, Indiana residents are required to have a driver’s license. Non-residents are not required to have a license unless operating in an embayment, river, or stream in Indiana.
|
|

Printable
PDF Version
of Handbook |