How to Get a Boating License in Indiana
Boaters operating a motorboat exceeding 10 horsepower in Indiana must meet specific requirements. An operator may satisfy this requirement by holding a valid driver's license, or alternatively, may be 15 years of age or older and complete an approved boater education course while obtaining a BMV-issued ID card for that credential.
Those without a driver's license who wish to operate such a vessel should first confirm their eligibility based on age and other criteria through the official Indiana Department of Natural Resources website. The next step is to enroll in a NASBLA-approved boater education course and successfully pass the associated examination. Upon completion, the operator receives a boater education ID card issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, which remains valid for the holder's lifetime.
For current course listings, approved providers, and the most up-to-date rules governing boater education in Indiana, operators should consult the official Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement website. This ensures compliance with any recent regulatory changes.
- Confirm whether you're in the population this state covers (cutoff / age band).
- Take the accepted course: DNR-approved Boater Education Course completion with an Indiana BMV-issued ID card (valid for life).
- Pass the test and receive your card or certificate.
- Carry it aboard whenever you operate, and confirm the current rule on the official state page.
Carry the card every time you operate
Once you’ve earned the card, keep it aboard whenever you operate — many states require you to show it on request, and a card from one state is usually honored in another. If you’ll boat across state lines, check each state’s rule, since the covered ages and accepted credentials differ. Always confirm the current requirement on the official state agency page.
Course & fees for Indiana → · Full requirements →
Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Indiana DNR, Division of Law Enforcement page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. This state's row is currently medium-confidence (one or more fields await an official-page confirmation), so treat the details below as a starting point only. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.