Watercraft and your driver's license

Explanation

Watercraft operation connects to your driver’s license in a few ways. If you’re younger than 15, you can’t operate a watercraft with an engine producing more than 10 horsepower. If your driver’s license is suspended, you may not operate a watercraft at all — the suspension carries over.

Reckless operation, operating while intoxicated, or breaking private watercraft laws may add points to your driving record. On Indiana’s boundary waters, Indiana residents must carry their driver’s license while operating a watercraft; residents of other states only need to carry one if they’re operating in an embayment, river, or stream within Indiana.

Example

A driver whose license was suspended for unpaid tickets is not allowed to operate a watercraft on an Indiana lake until the suspension is resolved.

Common mistake

Assuming watercraft violations are unrelated to your driving record. The manual says reckless or intoxicated watercraft operation can add points to your driver record, the same record used for your license.

What the manual says

If your driver’s license is suspended, you may not operate a watercraft.

If you operate your watercraft recklessly, while intoxicated, or break private watercraft laws, you may have points assessed against your driver record.