Reference Guide to State Boating Laws The Reference Guide to State Boating Laws answers a number of questions related to recreational boating safety public law. Topics covered include boating education, operator age, water skiing, boat noise, numbering & titling, personal watercraft, boating under the influence, personal flotation devices and more. The data in the guide was supplied by the states and collectively updated during 2007. Data can also be updated by boating law administrators (or designates) for the individual states. To access the data, click on the drop down menu below and select a topic area. |
Boating Under the Influence
[Table 5.2]
State |
Does a BUI conviction impact an offender's automobile driving privileges in any way in your state? |
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, how are their privileges impacted? |
Alabama |
No  |   |
Alaska |
Yes  | BUI is consdidered the same as a DUI  |
American Samoa |
Yes  | Revocation of motorboat license  |
Arizona |
No  |   |
Arkansas |
Yes  | A BUI conviction will count as a previous offense in order to determine the number of previous offenses for the purpose of suspending or revoking a person's driving privileges under the Omnibus DWI Act.  |
Australia |
  |   |
British Columbia |
  |   |
California |
Yes  | Counts the same as a DUI copnviction with possible suspension ro revocation of operators drivers license  |
Colorado |
no  |   |
Connecticut |
No  |   |
Delaware |
No  |   |
District of Columbia |
No  |   |
Florida |
No  |   |
Georgia |
No  |   |
Guam |
No  |   |
Hawaii |
Yes  | Judges have discretion as to fines and penalties prescribed by the law. The definition of vehicles in our state includes vessels and therefore a BUI conviction will impact a persons driving record.   |
Idaho |
No  |   |
Illinois |
No   |   |
Indiana |
Yes  | BUI conviction suspends the operators motor vehicle license and DUI conviction in an automobile suspends motorboat operation previlige  |
Iowa |
No  |   |
Kansas |
No  |   |
Kentucky |
No  |   |
Louisiana |
Yes  | insurance and driving record  |
Maine |
No  |   |
Manitoba (Canada) |
  |   |
Maryland |
No  |   |
Massachusetts |
Yes  | BUI and OUI are considered "like offenses" - multiple like offenses may result in the suspension or revocation of a motor vehicle license. Refusal to take breath, chemical, or blood test upon arrest results in loss of m.v. license for 180 days.   |
Michigan |
No  |   |
Minnesota |
Yes  | Up to an including loss of the motor vehicle.  |
Mississippi |
No  |   |
Missouri |
No  |   |
Montana |
No  |   |
Nebraska |
No  |   |
Nevada |
No  |   |
New Hampshire |
Yes  | fine and loss of drivers license for 9 months  |
New Jersey |
Yes  | Boating and driving privileges suspended   |
New Mexico |
No  |   |
New York |
No  |   |
North Carolina |
No  |   |
North Dakota |
No  |   |
Northern Mariana Islands |
No  | none  |
Ohio |
No  |   |
Oklahoma |
No  |   |
Ontario (Canada) |
  |   |
Oregon |
Yes  | Any combination of BUII or DUI, fourth offense is a felony.  |
Pennsylvania |
No  |   |
Puerto Rico |
No  |   |
Quebec (Canada) |
  |   |
Rhode Island |
No  |   |
South Carolina |
No  |   |
South Dakota |
No  |   |
Tennessee |
No  |   |
Texas |
Yes  | suspension or revocation  |
Utah |
Yes  | Same impact as if they were driving a car DUI  |
Vermont |
No  |   |
Virgin Islands |
  |   |
Virginia |
No  |   |
Washington |
No  |   |
West Virginia |
No  |   |
Wisconsin |
No  |   |
Wyoming |
No  |   |