• 113 questions

Indiana Boating License Practice Test: State Law Questions

Practice the Indiana Code's own boating sections, state law only; each explanation closes with its IC cite.

How long must a personal watercraft be before it may tow a water skier in Indiana under IC 14-15-12-7?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Bank checked October 4, 2026.

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Boating education course 5

  • A boater finishes the boating education course an Indiana court ordered under IC 14-15-11-16. What may the court order returned? IC 14-15-11-16
  • An Indiana 15-year-old holds no driver's license. Which pair does IC 14-15-11-9 ask for before that teen runs a motorboat on public waters? IC 14-15-11-9
  • An Indiana court recommends a driver's license suspension after a boating crime. What may it make a condition of ending the suspension under IC 14-15-11-16? IC 14-15-11-16
  • Under IC 14-15-11-13, who adopts the rules on what a boating education course must offer to be approved in Indiana? IC 14-15-11-13
  • Which agency approves the boating education course that Indiana accepts from a 15-year-old in place of a driver's license? IC 14-15-11-2
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Who may operate a motorboat 13

  • A 17-year-old violates Indiana's water recreation article, IC 14-15. What does IC 14-15-10-3 allow? IC 14-15-10-3
  • A boater's Indiana driver's license has been revoked. What does IC 14-15-11-11 say about that person taking the wheel of a motorboat on public waters? IC 14-15-11-11
  • A court believes a boater convicted of a crime under Indiana's boat operation chapter should lose driving privileges. What is the longest driver's license suspension it may recommend under IC 14-15-11-15? IC 14-15-11-15
  • A visitor carries a driver's license issued by another state. How does IC 14-15-11-3 treat it for running a motorboat in Indiana? IC 14-15-11-3
  • After a conviction for running a motorboat on a suspended driver's license, how long may an Indiana court recommend that motorboat privileges be suspended? IC 14-15-11-11
  • An Indiana boat owner knowingly hands the wheel of a 90-horsepower runabout to a friend who has no driver's license and no identification card. Whom does IC 14-15-11-12 reach? IC 14-15-11-12
  • Does the driver's license rule in Indiana's IC 14-15-11 reach the operator of a personal watercraft? IC 14-15-11-6
  • IC 14-15-11-9 keeps a route open for an adult with no driver's license whose bureau identification card was issued before January 1, 1996. How old must that Indiana boater be? IC 14-15-11-9
  • In a proceeding under IC 14-15-11-10 for running an Indiana motorboat without a license, who must prove that a valid license or identification card was held? IC 14-15-11-10
  • Indiana's motorboat license chapter leaves one kind of powered boat out of the word motorboat. Which one, under IC 14-15-11-6? IC 14-15-11-6
  • What does IC 14-15-11-17 direct Indiana's bureau of motor vehicles to do when a person commits a crime by operating a motorboat in violation of IC 14-15-3? IC 14-15-11-17
  • What is the lowest age at which IC 14-15-11-9 lets someone with no driver's license run an Indiana motorboat on an identification card and a passed course? IC 14-15-11-9
  • What must a person generally hold to operate a motorboat on Indiana's public waters under IC 14-15-11-9? IC 14-15-11-9

Life jackets 6

  • A rowing club in Indiana trains in racing shells recognized for competition, carrying racing gear only. How does IC 14-15-2-6 treat those shells? IC 14-15-2-6
  • At what boat length does Indiana's IC 14-15-2-6 add one throwable flotation device to the wearable ones? IC 14-15-2-6
  • Before the director may waive Indiana's flotation device section for a permitted boat race, what must the race sponsor do under IC 14-15-2-6? IC 14-15-2-6
  • How many wearable personal flotation devices does IC 14-15-2-6 put aboard a boat on Indiana waters? IC 14-15-2-6
  • Which craft does IC 14-15-2-6 leave outside Indiana's flotation device section altogether? IC 14-15-2-6
  • Which two boats of 16 feet or more are excused from the throwable device in Indiana's IC 14-15-2-6? IC 14-15-2-6

Speed, wake and careful operation 17

  • Absent a granted exemption, how fast may a motorboat go on an Indiana small lake under IC 14-15-3-10? IC 14-15-3-10
  • An Indiana boater ties up to a channel marker to fish. What does IC 14-15-3-25 say? IC 14-15-3-25
  • Besides being reasonable and prudent, what must an Indiana boat's speed allow under IC 14-15-3-7? IC 14-15-3-7
  • During a race held under a department permit over a fixed and marked course, what speed may an Indiana boat attain under IC 14-15-3-13? IC 14-15-3-13
  • How much surface area may a lake have and still be a small lake under Indiana's IC 14-15-3-1? IC 14-15-3-1
  • IC 14-8-2-129 defines idle speed for Indiana's shore line rule. What is the highest figure it can ever mean? IC 14-8-2-129
  • IC 14-15-3-3 tells every Indiana boat operator to run the boat in what manner? IC 14-15-3-3
  • IC 14-15-3-5 keeps a boat off Indiana public waters when what about it endangers people or property? IC 14-15-3-5
  • IC 14-15-3-6 bars an Indiana boat operator from unnecessarily obstructing what kind of gathering on the water? IC 14-15-3-6
  • IC 14-15-3-16 names two things an Indiana motorboat may not circle. One is a person swimming. What is the other? IC 14-15-3-16
  • Indiana's definition of idle speed has the boat keep steerage so that what stays minimal? IC 14-8-2-129
  • Inside what distance from a lake's shore line must an Indiana motorboat hold idle speed under IC 14-15-3-17(a)? IC 14-15-3-17
  • What does IC 14-15-3-15 forbid when one Indiana boat approaches or passes another? IC 14-15-3-15
  • What top speed does IC 14-15-3-8 set for a boat on Indiana waters between sunset and sunrise? IC 14-15-3-8
  • What two things does IC 14-15-3-27 require before boats may race on Indiana public waters? IC 14-15-3-27
  • Where does IC 14-15-3-26 forbid anchoring an Indiana boat so that it impedes the safe passage of other boats? IC 14-15-3-26
  • Which body of rules does IC 14-15-3-14 tell Indiana boat operators to observe for traffic on the water? IC 14-15-3-14

Towing, wake sports and divers 16

  • A diver in Indiana wants to go down near a fishing boat that lies at anchor and is not part of the dive. How far off must the dive and its flag be under IC 14-15-9-6? IC 14-15-9-6
  • An outboard motorboat is underway on an Indiana lake. Where does IC 14-15-13-3 say nobody may be swimming or floating? IC 14-15-13-3
  • Between sunset and sunrise, which use of a motorboat on an Indiana public freshwater lake does IC 14-15-3-8.1 forbid? IC 14-15-3-8.1
  • Except in an emergency, how close to the flag must a diver come up under Indiana's IC 14-15-9-7? IC 14-15-9-7
  • How far must a watercraft that is not supporting the diver stay from a divers down flag in Indiana under IC 14-15-9-5? IC 14-15-9-5
  • How many riders may an Indiana motorboat pull on a towed tube under IC 14-15-13-3? IC 14-15-13-3
  • IC 14-15-3-19 says the rules of Indiana's boat operation chapter also apply to what? IC 14-15-3-19
  • IC 14-15-13 is Indiana's chapter on holding the transom and riding the wake. In which situation does IC 14-15-13-1 say the chapter does not apply? IC 14-15-13-1
  • IC 14-15-13-3 forbids running an Indiana motorboat underway while a person holds on to which part of it? IC 14-15-13-3
  • On an Indiana small lake, when may a motorboat be used for wake surfing under IC 14-15-3-10? IC 14-15-3-10
  • To what must the operator of an Indiana motorboat pulling a wakeboarder give entire attention under IC 14-15-3-20? IC 14-15-3-20
  • What is the smallest divers down flag IC 14-15-9 accepts on Indiana waters? IC 14-15-9-2
  • When an Indiana motorboat tows a water skier, whom does IC 14-15-3-20 require aboard besides the operator? IC 14-15-3-20
  • When does IC 14-15-9-4 say an Indiana divers down flag is to be lowered? IC 14-15-9-4
  • Where does IC 14-15-9-4 excuse an Indiana diver from showing the divers down flag? IC 14-15-9-4
  • Within what distance of the divers down flag must the supporting watercraft remain under Indiana's IC 14-15-9-5? IC 14-15-9-5

Personal watercraft 11

  • A personal watercraft rider in Indiana aims at a swimmer and swerves away at the last moment to throw spray. How does IC 14-15-12-10 class that? IC 14-15-12-10
  • An Indiana personal watercraft has no self-circling feature. Where does IC 14-15-12-9 say the lanyard of its cutoff switch goes? IC 14-15-12-9
  • For how many people must a personal watercraft be designed before IC 14-15-12-7 lets it pull a tuber on Indiana waters? IC 14-15-12-7
  • For whom does IC 14-15-12-12 set aside Indiana's personal watercraft riding rules in sections 6 through 10? IC 14-15-12-12
  • How long must a personal watercraft be before it may tow a water skier in Indiana under IC 14-15-12-7? IC 14-15-12-7
  • IC 14-8-2-202.5 defines a personal watercraft for Indiana. What is its primary source of power? IC 14-8-2-202.5
  • IC 14-15-12-10 bars an Indiana personal watercraft from cutting between a boat and what? IC 14-15-12-10
  • Under IC 14-15-12-8, who on or behind a personal watercraft in Indiana wears a wearable personal flotation device? IC 14-15-12-8
  • Which maneuver does IC 14-15-12-10 list as not reasonable and prudent for a personal watercraft on Indiana waters? IC 14-15-12-10
  • Which way of riding does IC 14-15-12-6 forbid for the operator of a personal watercraft in Indiana? IC 14-15-12-6
  • Who besides the operator must ride a personal watercraft that is towing someone in Indiana, according to IC 14-15-12-7? IC 14-15-12-7

Alcohol and chemical tests 11

  • A boat operator in Indiana refuses a chemical test. What does IC 9-30-6-3 say about the refusal at a later proceeding? IC 9-30-6-3
  • A boat operator is offered more than one chemical test. What does staying within Indiana's implied consent provisions take under IC 9-30-6-2? IC 9-30-6-2
  • A boater takes a pontoon out on a reservoir in Indiana. Under the implied consent chapter of Title 9, what has that boater accepted in advance? IC 9-30-6-1
  • Apart from alcohol, what in a boat operator's blood does Indiana's IC 9-30-5-1 make an offense? IC 9-30-5-1
  • How does IC 9-13-2-86 describe the condition of an intoxicated operator in Indiana? IC 9-13-2-86
  • How much alcohol in the blood or breath makes running a boat an offense in itself under Indiana law? IC 9-30-5-1
  • IC 9-30-5-1 measures the alcohol concentration of an Indiana boat operator in grams per how much breath? IC 9-30-5-1
  • Indiana law treats a higher reading as the more serious offense. Where does that tier begin for a boat operator? IC 9-30-5-1
  • Indiana's operating while intoxicated chapters speak of a vehicle. What does IC 9-13-2-196(d) say that word means there? IC 9-13-2-196
  • What must an Indiana officer have before offering a boat operator a chemical test under IC 9-30-6-2? IC 9-30-6-2
  • Within how many hours must a chemical test be given to an Indiana boat operator under IC 9-30-6-2? IC 9-30-6-2

Accidents and reports 8

  • A boat on an Indiana lake is in a collision. Where does IC 14-15-4-1 tell its operator to stop? IC 14-15-4-1
  • After a boating accident in Indiana, which details does IC 14-15-4-1 have the operator give the other operator and each injured person? IC 14-15-4-1
  • At the scene of an Indiana boating accident, what must the operator show on request under IC 14-15-4-1? IC 14-15-4-1
  • How soon after a reportable accident must the written report be mailed to Indiana's department of natural resources under IC 14-15-4-2? IC 14-15-4-2
  • The operator of an Indiana boat is knocked unconscious in a collision. Who takes over the duties of IC 14-15-4-1 and 14-15-4-2 under section 3? IC 14-15-4-3
  • Property damage alone triggers Indiana's accident notice under IC 14-15-4-2 at what apparent amount, unless the federal database figure is greater? IC 14-15-4-2
  • What help does IC 14-15-4-1 expect an Indiana boat operator to give a person injured in an accident? IC 14-15-4-1
  • Which of these may an Indiana boat operator notify at once after an accident with an injury, under IC 14-15-4-2? IC 14-15-4-2

Equipment and loading 12

  • A cabin boat on Indiana public water has a toilet. What must the toilet be fitted with under IC 14-15-2-7? IC 14-15-2-7
  • Below what motorboat length does Indiana's IC 14-15-3-24 keep occupants off the bow decking except for a necessary purpose? IC 14-15-3-24
  • How many bilge ventilators with cowls does IC 14-15-2-2 call for on an Indiana inboard motorboat whose bilge is closed to the air? IC 14-15-2-2
  • In what condition does IC 14-15-2-1 say the equipment an Indiana boat must carry is to be kept? IC 14-15-2-1
  • Indiana's bilge ventilation rule in IC 14-15-2-2 covers fuel with a flash point of not more than what temperature? IC 14-15-2-2
  • On an Indiana boat that carries passengers for hire, what does IC 14-15-2-9 forbid carrying for cooking, heating or lighting? IC 14-15-2-9
  • What may not be thrown or dumped into Indiana public water or on its banks under IC 14-15-2-8? IC 14-15-2-8
  • What must the carburetor of an inboard motorboat have under Indiana's IC 14-15-2-3? IC 14-15-2-3
  • What standard does IC 14-15-3-23 use to decide whether an Indiana watercraft's load or horsepower is too much? IC 14-15-3-23
  • Where does IC 14-15-3-24 say no occupant of an Indiana motorboat may sit, stand or lie? IC 14-15-3-24
  • Which federal provision does IC 14-15-2-13.5 point to for the engine cut-off switch on a vessel in Indiana? IC 14-15-2-13.5
  • Who may sound a siren on Indiana waters under IC 14-15-3-22? IC 14-15-3-22

Registration, numbers and ownership 14

  • A boat is found unattended and drifting on Indiana water. How does IC 14-15-3-30 regard it? IC 14-15-3-30
  • A boat registered in another state is brought to an inland Indiana lake. For how long does IC 9-18.1-14.5-1 excuse it from Indiana registration? IC 9-18.1-14.5-1
  • A buyer runs a newly bought boat in Indiana on a bill of sale. How old may the purchase date be under IC 9-18.1-14.5-1? IC 9-18.1-14.5-1
  • A cruiser carries a valid marine document from the federal customs bureau. From what does IC 9-18.1-14.5-5 excuse it in Indiana? IC 9-18.1-14.5-5
  • An out-of-state registered boat docks on Indiana's part of Lake Michigan. How many consecutive days does IC 9-18.1-14.5-1 allow before Indiana registration is needed? IC 9-18.1-14.5-1
  • Besides the number awarded to the watercraft, what other number does IC 9-18.1-14.5-5 allow on each side of an Indiana boat's bow? IC 9-18.1-14.5-5
  • How near the registration number do Indiana's expiration decals go under IC 9-18.1-14.5-5? IC 9-18.1-14.5-5
  • IC 14-8-2-305 defines watercraft for Indiana's boating article. Which of these does it name, at any length or size? IC 14-8-2-305
  • The owner of an impounded abandoned watercraft cannot be found. How long does Indiana's IC 14-15-3-30 have it held before it is destroyed or sold at auction? IC 14-15-3-30
  • What does IC 14-15-3-29 require before a person takes out a boat that belongs to somebody else in Indiana? IC 14-15-3-29
  • What two things does IC 9-18.1-14.5-1 require of a watercraft operated, used, docked or stored in Indiana? IC 9-18.1-14.5-1
  • Where does IC 9-18.1-14.5-5 put the registration number on an Indiana watercraft? IC 9-18.1-14.5-5
  • Which paper must a person carry for an Indiana registered watercraft under IC 9-18.1-14.5-5? IC 9-18.1-14.5-5
  • Which small craft does IC 9-18.1-14.5-1 excuse from Indiana registration? IC 9-18.1-14.5-1

How this list was compiled: Written only from the Indiana Code, 2026 edition: IC 14-15 (Regulation of Water Recreation), chapters 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13; the definitions of idle speed, motorboat, personal watercraft and watercraft in IC 14-8-2; and, in Title 9, IC 9-13-2-86, IC 9-13-2-196, IC 9-30-5-1, IC 9-30-5-2, IC 9-30-6-1 to 9-30-6-3 and IC 9-18.1-14.5 (watercraft registration). Read on 2026-10-04 in the Indiana General Assembly's own files, https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_14.pdf and https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_9.pdf. Each question names its section and links to it on the General Assembly's page for the title, https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/14 or https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/9. The code sets no number of questions and no pass mark for a boating course test, so none is stored here. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the statute and rule text; nothing is copied from a boater handbook, a boating course, a course provider's study guide or another practice test.

How it works

Unofficial Indiana boating license practice test, state law only: questions written from Indiana Code Title 14, article 15 and the Title 9 sections on intoxication. Navigation rules sit in a separate bank on this site. Read October 2026.

Read the full guide

A driver's license, 10 miles an hour and 200 feet

IC 14-15-11-9 ties a motorboat on public waters to a valid driver's license; in that chapter a boat with one motor of 10 horsepower or less is not a motorboat, and a personal watercraft is. After sunset the limit is 10 miles an hour until sunrise (14-15-3-8). Within 200 feet of a lake's shore a motorboat keeps to idle speed (14-15-3-17). A tow takes a second person who only watches (14-15-3-20).

What the code says about a course or an exam

Someone at least 15 with no driver's license needs a bureau identification card and a boating education course the department approved. The code gives no question count and no pass mark, so this page stores none.

  • Idle speed in the Indiana Code means no more than 5 miles an hour (IC 14-8-2-129).
  • An accident with at least $2,000 in damage means a written report mailed within 24 hours (IC 14-15-4-2).

Questions and answers

Do you need a boating license in Indiana?

IC 14-15-11-9 asks for a valid driver's license to operate a motorboat on public waters. At 15 or older without one, a bureau identification card plus a department-approved boating education course does instead. One motor of 10 horsepower or less falls outside the chapter.

How many questions are on an Indiana boating exam, and what is the pass mark?

The Indiana Code gives neither; it leaves the course's content to rules of the natural resources commission (IC 14-15-11-13). Exam mode here draws 25 questions because this site chose that length, and it shows no pass line.

How fast can a boat go at night in Indiana?

Ten miles an hour between sunset and sunrise (IC 14-15-3-8). A small lake, 300 acres or less, has the same limit all day.

What is the alcohol limit for operating a boat in Indiana?

0.08, under IC 9-30-5-1, which Title 9's definitions extend to a motorboat. An officer with probable cause offers a chemical test within three hours (IC 9-30-6-2), and a refusal can be put in evidence (IC 9-30-6-3).

Is this an official Indiana boating test?

No. Nobody at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources wrote, reviewed or approved these questions, and this site sells no course and issues no card. Each answer cites the Indiana Code.

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