CHAPTER 3. MOTORBOAT REGISTRATION
IC 9-31-3
Chapter 3. Motorboat Registration
IC 9-31-3-1
Boats requiring registration and numbering
Sec. 1. Except as provided in section 2 of this chapter, every
motorboat principally used on the waters of Indiana must be
registered and numbered.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-2
Motorboats not requiring registration and numbering; prima facie
evidence negating registration exception
Sec. 2. (a) A motorboat does not have to be registered and
numbered under this chapter if any of the following conditions are
met:
(1) The motorboat is legally registered in another state and:
(A) the motorboat has not been within Indiana for more than
sixty (60) consecutive days; or
(B) the owner of the motorboat has paid the excise tax
required under IC 6-6-11 and fees required under
IC 6-6-11-13 and IC 9-29-15-9.
(2) The motorboat is from a country other than the United
States temporarily using the waters of Indiana.
(3) The motorboat is a ship's lifeboat.
(4) The motorboat belongs to a class of boats that has been
exempted from registration and numbering by the bureau after
the bureau has found the following:
(A) That the registration and numbering of motorboats of
that class will not materially aid in their identification.
(B) That an agency of the federal government has a
numbering system applicable to the class of motorboats to
which the motorboat in question belongs.
(C) That the motorboat would also be exempt from
numbering if the motorboat were subject to the federal law.
(b) The following are prima facie evidence that a motorboat will
be operated on the waters of Indiana for more than sixty (60)
consecutive days and must be registered under subsection (a)(1):
(1) The rental or lease for more than sixty (60) consecutive days
of a mooring facility that is located on the waters of Indiana for
the motorboat.
(2) The purchase of a mooring facility that is located on the
waters of Indiana for the motorboat.
(3) Any other contractual agreement that allows the use of a
mooring facility that is located on the waters of Indiana for:
(A) the motorboat; and
(B) more than sixty (60) consecutive days.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.81-1993, SEC.4;
P.L.64-1996, SEC.2; P.L.46-2006, SEC.3.
IC 9-31-3-3
Prerequisites to operation of motorboat on state waters
Sec. 3. Except as provided in sections 5 and 7 of this chapter, a
person may not operate or give permission for the operation of a
motorboat on the waters of Indiana unless the motorboat is:
(1) registered and numbered under this chapter;
(2) in accordance with applicable federal law; or
(3) legally registered in another state.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-4
Conditions of operation of motorboat on state waters
Sec. 4. Except as provided in sections 5 and 7 of this chapter, a
motorboat may only be operated on the waters of Indiana if the
following conditions are met:
(1) The registration number awarded to the motorboat is in full
force and effect.
(2) The identifying number set forth in the certificate of
registration is displayed on each side of the bow of the
motorboat. However, a motorboat that has a valid marine
document issued by the United States Bureau of Customs is not
required to display the registration number.
(3) The decals indicating the year and month of expiration of
registration and class of boat are attached to the motorboat as
provided under IC 6-6-11.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-5
Operation of motorboat with temporary permit
Sec. 5. A motorboat that has never been registered in Indiana and
that is purchased from a dealer licensed by the secretary of state
under IC 9-31-4 may be operated on the waters of Indiana for a
period of thirty-one (31) days from the date of purchase if the
operator has in the operator's possession the following:
(1) A bill of sale from the dealer giving the purchaser's name
and address, the date of purchase, and the make and type of boat
or the hull identification number.
(2) A temporary permit displayed on the forward portion of the
boat, as provided in section 6 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.210-2001,
SEC.1; P.L.249-2001, SEC.1; P.L.106-2008, SEC.38.
IC 9-31-3-6
Temporary permits and registration forms
Sec. 6. (a) The secretary of state shall furnish temporary permits
and registration forms to a registered dealer upon request.
(b) A plate or card described in subsection (a) must display the
following information:
(1) The dealer's license number.
(2) The date of purchase, plainly stamped or stenciled on the
plate or card.
(c) A temporary permit may not be used or displayed unless the
plate or card is furnished by the secretary of state.
(d) A dealer who authorizes the use of a temporary permit under
this section does not assume responsibility or incur liability for
injury to a person or property during the period the temporary permit
is in effect.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.106-2008,
SEC.39; P.L.93-2010, SEC.16.
IC 9-31-3-7
Operation of motorboat with registration identification card
Sec. 7. A motorboat that is legally registered in this or another
state at the time of purchase may be operated for a period of
thirty-one (31) days from the date of purchase if the operator has in
the operator's possession the registration identification card of the
previous owner with the corresponding registration numbers
displayed on the forward part of the boat.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.210-2001, SEC.2
and P.L.249-2001, SEC.2.
IC 9-31-3-8
Application for registration; establishment of ownership
Sec. 8. The owner of a motorboat that is required to be registered
and numbered by Indiana shall file an application for registration
with the bureau. At the time of filing the application, the applicant
must provide proof of ownership and a hull identification number to
the bureau. If there is not a manufacturer's hull identification number
for the motorboat, the bureau shall assign a hull identification
number at the time of registration in the same manner as a hull
identification number is assigned under IC 9-31-2-8. The fee
prescribed under IC 9-29-15-2 shall be paid to the bureau for
assigning a hull identification number. For purposes of registering a
motorboat or obtaining a hull identification number to register a
motorboat, ownership may be established by any one (1) of the
following:
(1) A manufacturer's or importer's certificate.
(2) A sworn statement of ownership as prescribed by the
bureau. An affidavit executed, under penalties for perjury, by
the person filing the application shall be accepted as proof of
ownership for any motorboat or sailboat that:
(A) is a Class 5 or lower motorboat under IC 6-6-11-11 (the
boat excise tax) and the motorboat is not titled under
IC 9-31-2; or
(B) is propelled by an internal combustion, steam, or
electrical inboard or outboard motor or engine or by any
mechanical means, including sailboats that are equipped
with such a motor or engine when the sailboat is in operation
whether or not the sails are hoisted, if:
(i) the motorboat was made by an individual for the use of
the individual and not for resale; and
(ii) the motorboat is not titled under IC 9-31-2.
(3) A certificate of title or bill of sale.
(4) Other evidence of ownership required by the law of another
state from which the motorboat is brought into Indiana.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.1-1992, SEC.64.
IC 9-31-3-9
Applications; signing; fees
Sec. 9. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), application under
section 8 of this chapter must be signed by the owner of the
motorboat and accompanied by the fee specified under IC 9-29-15-4.
(b) A motorboat that is owned by the United States, a state, or a
subdivision of a state is exempt from the payment of a fee to register
the motorboat.
(c) The bureau shall transfer the money derived from the fees
collected under subsection (a) to the department of natural resources.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-10
Issuance of certificate of registration
Sec. 10. Upon receipt of a completed application under section 8
of this chapter and fee under section 9 of this chapter, the bureau
shall enter the application upon the bureau's records and shall issue
to the applicant a certificate of registration in which is stated the
number awarded to the motorboat and the name and address of the
owner. The registration certificate shall be available at all times for
inspection on the motorboat for which the registration certificate is
issued whenever the motorboat is in operation.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-11
Attachment of identification number to motorboat
Sec. 11. The owner shall paint on or attach to each side of the bow
of the motorboat the registration number assigned under section 10
of this chapter. The number shall be painted on or attached in the
manner prescribed by rules adopted by the bureau so that the number
is clearly visible. The registration number shall be maintained in
legible condition.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-12
Transfer of motorboat ownership
Sec. 12. Upon the transfer of ownership of a motorboat, the owner
shall provide proper ownership documents and the certificate of
registration to the new owner at the time of delivering the motorboat.
The new owner shall file an application, along with the proper fee,
with the bureau and a new registration certificate shall be issued in
the same manner as an original issue of a registration certificate.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-13
Reissuance of certificate of registration; fees
Sec. 13. The bureau shall charge and collect the fee provided
under IC 9-29-15-5 for the reissuance of a certificate of registration
if the original certificate has been lost or destroyed or a correction is
needed to the registration information.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-14
United States government numbering system; preemption
Sec. 14. If an agency of the United States government has an
overall system of identification numbering for motorboats within the
United States, the registration and numbering system employed under
this chapter by the bureau must conform with the system.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-15
Public records; inspection
Sec. 15. All records of the bureau made or kept under this chapter
are public records and open to inspection by the public and any
authorized law enforcement agency of the state.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-16
Continuation of registration number
Sec. 16. A registration number awarded under this chapter
continues in full force and effect as long as the annual registration
fee is paid under IC 6-6-11 unless the number is sooner terminated
or discontinued under this chapter.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-17
Transfer of ownership, abandonment, or destruction of motorboat;
notice; effect
Sec. 17. (a) The owner of a motorboat, within fifteen (15) days,
shall furnish the bureau notice of any of the following:
(1) The transfer of all or any part of the owner's interest, other
than the creation of a security interest in a motorboat registered
in Indiana under section 5 or 7 of this chapter.
(2) The destruction or abandonment of a motorboat.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), a transfer, destruction,
or abandonment terminates the certificate of registration for the
motorboat.
(c) If a transfer of a part interest does not affect the owner's right
to operate the motorboat, the transfer does not terminate the
certificate of registration.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-18
Change in address of certificate holder
Sec. 18. A holder of a certificate of registration shall notify the
bureau within thirty-one (31) days if the holder's address no longer
conforms to the address appearing on the registration certificate and
shall furnish the bureau with the holder's new address. The bureau
may adopt rules to provide for either of the following:
(1) The surrender of the certificate of registration bearing the
former address and replacement with a certificate of registration
bearing the new address.
(2) The alteration of an outstanding certificate of registration to
show the new address of the holder.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-19
Dealer numbers for demonstration or test motorboats
Sec. 19. A dealer licensed by the secretary of state under
IC 9-31-4 may, upon application to the secretary of state, obtain a
certificate of number for use in the testing or demonstrating of
motorboats upon payment of the fee prescribed under IC 9-29-15-6
for each registration number. The secretary of state shall issue one
(1) plate for each certificate of number assigned under this section.
The plate must be displayed within a boat that is being tested or
demonstrated while the boat is being tested or demonstrated.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.1-1992, SEC.65;
P.L.106-2008, SEC.40.
IC 9-31-3-20
Attachment or display of number other than awarded number;
prohibition
Sec. 20. A number other than the number awarded to a motorboat
or granted reciprocity under this chapter may not be painted,
attached, or otherwise displayed on either side of the bow of a
motorboat.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-21
Transmission of information to United States agency or official
Sec. 21. In accordance with any request made by an authorized
official or agency of the United States, the bureau shall transmit any
information compiled or otherwise available to the bureau under:
(1) IC 14-15-4-1;
(2) IC 14-15-4-2; and
(3) IC 14-15-4-3;
to the official or agency of the United States.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.1-1995, SEC.59.
IC 9-31-3-22
Enforcement of chapter by peace officers
Sec. 22. Every peace officer of this state and its subdivisions,
including an enforcement officer of the department of natural
resources, may enforce this chapter and may stop and board a
motorboat subject to this chapter.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-23
Certificate of title; necessity for registration
Sec. 23. An unregistered motorboat may not be registered and the
registration of a registered motorboat may not be renewed unless the
motorboat has a certificate of title issued by Indiana. However, a
watercraft acquired by the Indiana owner before January 1, 1986, is
not required to have a certificate of title until ownership of the
watercraft is transferred to another person.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.
IC 9-31-3-24
Chapter violations
Sec. 24. A person who violates this chapter commits a Class C
infraction.
As added by P.L.71-1991, SEC.11.