Boating in Illinois

Registration, titles, boater education and taxes, from Illinois Department of Natural Resources and other official sources.

Registering agency	Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Registration fees	Class 1 <16 ft $28/$18 renewal; Class 2 16-<26 $60/$50; Class 3 26-<40 $160/$150; Class 4 40+ $210/$200
Renewal	every 3 years: expires September 30 of the third year (625 ILCS 45/3-9)
Title	yes for registered boats 22 ft and over; optional under 22 ft
Boater education	persons at least 12 years old and less than 18 years old, if they wish to operate a motorboat by themselves [per USCG-hosted NASBLA state survey; survey date not shown, may be outdated]; ages 12-17 to operate a motorboat alone [per USCG-hosted NASBLA survey; may be outdated]
Sales/use tax	6.25% (watercraft use tax RUT-75: 6.25% of the greater of price or fair market value) + local on retailer sales -- use tax applies to Class 2-4 and PWC purchases (Form RUT-75 within 30 days)
Property tax	no
Forms	Official forms

Sources

Checked 2026-10-25. Rules change; confirm with the agency.