Indiana Boating Regulations and Laws

The Indiana boater safety course certificate (commonly known as an Indiana boating license) is proof that a boater has successfully completed a boating safety course.

No one under 15 years of age may legally operate a motorboat or PWC. Motorboat or PWC operators who are at least age 15, and don’t have a driver’s license, may operate a motorboat or PWC only if they successfully complete an approved boating safety course and have on board an I.D. issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Even if not required by law to get the Indiana boating license, many boaters take the boat safety course in order to save on their PWC or boat insurance.

Do your part to make boating in Indiana a safe, enjoyable pastime! Become an educated, responsible boater by completing the Boat Indiana course and practice what you learn.

How do I learn about the legal requirements of boating in Indiana?

Laws and regulations concerning operating a personal watercraft or vessel, required equipment, vessel registration and much more can be found in the course materials.

For state boating law information, call the Law Enforcement Division, Indiana Department of Natural Resources at 317-232-4010.

For federal boating laws, call the U. S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Infoline at 1-800-368-5647.

How do I take a safe boating exam and get my boater education card?

Internet: You can study over the Internet then take the Indiana online boating exam. Once you pass, the official boater safety course certificate issued by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is mailed to your home.
Classroom Courses: Share the learning experience with other students by taking a boating certification classroom course led by a qualified instructor.

Where can I get the boater safety education course material?

You're at the right place, because the Boat Indiana online safe boating course is the official course developed specifically for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. All the required safe boating course material to get your boater safety course certificate is available for free online. Please visit our Indiana safe boating course introductory page to find out about the boater exam process.

Where can I get more information about the Indiana boater safety course certificate?

Read Frequently Asked Questions about the Indiana boater's license;
Contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources;
Contact Boat Ed, and we'll be glad to answer any of your questions about the Indiana boater's license or boating license requirements in other states.

Who needs an Indiana boat license, and what can they operate once they get their boater safety course certificate?

All motorboat or PWC operators must have a valid vehicle 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.