Boating in Indiana

Registration, titles, boater education and taxes, from Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (registration); DNR Law Enforcement (education) and other official sources.

Boating rules in Indiana
Registering agency	Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (registration); DNR Law Enforcement (education)
Registration fees	13-25 ft $18 registration; excise class $5-$25+ by original MSRP (see BMV)
Renewal	annual (on or before the scheduled expiration date)
Title	yes for Indiana residents unless the boat is exempt from registration; apply within 45 days
Boater education	Operators of a motorboat over 10 hp must have a valid driver's license, or be at least 15 and have passed a boater education course and carry a BMV identification card (Indiana DNR FAQ; IC 14-15-11); valid driver's license, or age 15+ with a boater education course and a BMV ID card (motorboats over 10 hp); NASBLA-approved courses: Yes (source: faqs.in.gov, checked 2026-11-04)
Sales/use tax	7% statewide (DOR: 'The sales tax for the entire State of Indiana is 7%') -- Indiana sales/use tax on watercraft per DOR SIB 28
Property tax	boat excise tax in lieu of property tax
Forms	Official forms

Sources

Checked 2026-10-24. Rules change; confirm with the agency.

Map of the 971 listed places with coordinates (outline: US Census TIGER). The lists below have every name and map link.