The Handbook of Illinois Boating Laws and Responsibilities

OF

ILLINOIS BOATING LAWS

AND

RESPONSIBILITIES

2023 Edition

OF ILLINOIS BOATING LAWS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Table of Contents

Before Going Out On the Water

Registering and Titling................... 3 Unlawful Operation ..................... 10

Where to Title/Register .................. 3 Navigation Rules .......................... 11

Hull Identification Number (HIN).. 5 Alcohol and Drugs ....................... 12

Who May Operate a Vessel ............ 5 Boating Accidents......................... 12

Enforcement................................. 13

Diver-Down Flags ........................ 13

Discharge of Sewage/Waste .......... 13

Required Equipment

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)... 6

Fire Extinguishers ........................... 6

Backfire Flame Arrestors................. 6

Specifically for PWC

Ventilation Systems ........................ 7

Requirements for PWC................ 14

Boat Battery.................................... 7

Specifically for Skiing

Mufflers and Noise Level

Limits........................................ 7

Requirements for

Engine Cut-Off Switch (ECOS)..... 7

Towing Skiers .......................... 15

Sound-Producing Devices .............. 7

Skier-Towing Flag......................... 15

Visual Distress Signals (VDSs)....... 7

Navigation Lights ........................... 8

This handbook includes references to the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 625–Boat

Registration and Safety Act. For example, 625 ILCS 45/5-16 refers to the Illinois Compiled

Statutes, Chapter 625, Act 45, Section 5-16.

For federal boating laws, visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating safety website at

www.uscgboating.org.

Published by Boat Ed®, a division of Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC, 740 East Campbell Road, Suite 900,

Richardson, TX 75081, 214-351-0461. Printed in the U.S.A.

may be reproduced in any form or by any process without permission in writing from Kalkomey

Enterprises, LLC. Effort has been made to make this publication as complete and accurate as possible. All

references contained in this publication have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, and to

represent the best current opinion on the subject. Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC is not responsible or liable

for any claims, liabilities, damages, or other adverse effects or consequences to any person or property

caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly from the application or use of the information

contained in this publication. P0623

www.kalkomey.com

Printed by the authority of the State of Illinois. Publication date: 6/07/2023. Number printed: 10,000.

Purchase Order: P-52252.

Before Going Out

All operators are required to obey laws that regulate your vessel’s

registration, titling, and operation.

Registering and Titling (625 ILCS 45/3)

■ You must have an Illinois Certificate of Number

(registration), expiration decals, and Certificate of Title to

operate your vessel legally. The only exceptions are:

• Unpowered vessels, including

canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards

• Vessels owned by the federal or

state government

• Vessels properly registered in another

state and using Illinois waters for

less than 60 consecutive days

• Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

and using Illinois waters for less than 60 consecutive days

• Vessels used solely as lifeboats

• Vessels registered in other countries temporarily using

Illinois waters

• Vessels used exclusively and solely for racing purposes

■ Vessels 21 feet and under in length are not required to have

a Certificate of Title.

■ Registration is valid for three years. All certificates expire on

September 30 at the end of the three-year period.

Where to Title and Register

Watercraft registration application forms are available from

dnr.illinois.gov/boating/watercraftapplications.html

.

Boaters may renew their vessel registrations:

■ By calling 1-866-867-3542

■ On the Internet at

www.dnr.illinois.gov

Registration Questions?

Call the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at

1-800-382-1696 or visit

www.dnr.illinois.gov

.

■ The Certificate of Number (registration card) must be on

board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer

whenever the vessel is being operated.

4 It’s the Law!

■

The registration number and expiration decals must be

displayed as follows.

• Number must be placed on each side of the bow of the vessel.

• Number must read from left to right on one line, starting

with two capital letters—IL—followed by a space and

four digits followed by a space and two capital letters, for

example: IL 1234 AB.

• Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.

• Number’s color must contrast sharply with its background.

• Decals must be placed on both sides of the bow after a

space at the end of the number.

IL 1234 AB ■

Spaces should

appear here.

Expiration

Decal

■ Unpowered watercraft are not required to obtain Illinois

registration numbers.

■ Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens may (at the

option of the owner) be documented by the USCG. These

vessels are required to display the expiration decal on either

side of the documented vessel name.

■ The owner of a vessel requiring registration and titling must

file a watercraft application with the Department of Natural

Resources (DNR). The application must be signed by the

owner and must be accompanied by the required documents

and appropriate fee. The required documents are as follows.

• New vessels: The original properly endorsed

Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin

• Vessels previously registered or titled in another state:

The owner’s registration certificate and/or title

• Illinois titled vessels: The owner’s Illinois title

■ Warning: Vessels purchased new or used from out-of-state

dealers, manufacturers, or lending institutions are subject to tax.

Contact the Illinois Department of Revenue at

1-800-732-8866 for instructions before submitting

an application.

It’s the Law! 5

Hull Identification Number (HIN) (625 ILCS 45/3-13)

The Hull Identification Number

(HIN) is a unique 12-digit number

assigned by the manufacturer to

vessels built after 1972. These

numbers distinguish one vessel from

Hull Serial Model

Number Year

another and are engraved in the

Manufacturer’s Date of

Identification Manufacture

fiberglass or on a metal plate attached

Code (MIC)

to the transom. You may not operate a vessel if the HIN has

been removed, defaced, or obliterated. You should write down

your HIN and put it in a place separate from your vessel in case

warranty problems arise or your vessel is stolen.

ABC 67689 B6 06

Who May Operate a Vessel (625 ILCS 45/5-18)

Persons born on or after January 1, 1998, may operate a

vessel powered by a motor of more than 10 horsepower (hp)

only if they have a valid Boating Safety Certificate accepted by

the DNR.

■ Persons under the age of 10 may not operate any

motorized vessel, including personal watercraft (PWC).

■ Persons at least 10 years old but less than 12 years old may

operate a motorized vessel with more than 10 hp, including

a PWC, only if they are accompanied by and under the

direct control of a parent, a guardian, or a person at least

18 years old designated by the parent or guardian.

■ Persons at least 12 years old but less than 18 years old may

operate a motorized vessel with more than 10 hp, including

a PWC, only if:

• They complete a boating safety course and possess a

Boating Safety Certificate accepted by the DNR or…

• They are accompanied by and under the direct control of

a parent, a guardian, or a person at least 18 years old

designated by the parent or guardian.

■ Parents, guardians, or designees born on or after January

1, 1998, must have a valid boating safety certificate to

supervise a person 10 to 17 years old who is operating a

motorized vessel with more than 10 hp.

Required Equipment

When preparing to go out on a vessel, the operator must check

that the legally required equipment is on board.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) (625 ILCS 45/4-1)

■ All vessels must have at least one USCG–approved wearable

personal flotation device (PFD), sometimes called life jacket,

for each person on board or being towed. All vessels 16 feet

or longer, except canoes and kayaks, also must carry one

USCG–approved throwable device.

■ No person may operate any watercraft unless an approved

and appropriately sized wearable USCG–approved PFD is

being worn by each person under the age of 13 on the deck

of a watercraft or in an open watercraft at all times in which

the watercraft is underway. However, this requirement shall

not apply to persons who are enclosed in a cabin or below

the top deck on a watercraft, on an anchored watercraft that

is a platform for swimming or diving, or aboard a charter

“passenger for hire” watercraft with a licensed captain.

■ If a person chooses to wear a PFD that is not USCG

approved (when not specifically required), a properly fitting

USCG–approved PFD must be carried on board the vessel

to meet the state and federal carriage requirements.

■ A PWC or a specialty prop-craft may not be operated unless

each person on board is wearing a USCG–approved PFD.

(Inflatable PFDs are not approved for PWC or prop-craft use.)

■ Besides being USCG approved, all PFDs must be:

• In good and serviceable condition.

• Readily accessible, which means you are able to put the

PFD on quickly in an emergency.

• Of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is

based on body weight and chest size.

• Legibly marked with the USCG approval number.

Fire Extinguishers (625 ILCS 45/4-5)

All vessels equipped with an internal combustion engine operating

on Illinois waters are required to have at least a USCG–approved fire

extinguisher on board.

Backfire Flame Arrestors (625 ILCS 45/4-6)

Because vessel engines may backfire, all powerboats (except

outboards) fueled with gasoline must have a USCG–approved

(must comply with SAE J-1928 or UL 1111 standards) backfire

flame arrestor on each carburetor.

It’s the Law! 7

Ventilation Systems (625 ILCS 45/4-7)

Properly installed ventilation systems greatly reduce the chance

of a life-threatening explosion. All gasoline-powered vessels,

constructed in a way that would entrap fumes, must have at

least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls to remove fumes.

Boat Battery (625 ILCS 45/4-10)

It is unlawful to operate a motorized vessel equipped with a

stored battery unless the battery is secured against shifting. The

battery must be equipped with non-conductive terminal shields

to prevent accidental shorting.

Mufflers and Noise Level Limits (625 ILCS 45/4-3)

■ The exhaust of every internal combustion engine on any

vessel must be muffled effectively. That is, the engine’s

exhaust must be muffled or suppressed at all times so as not

to create excessive noise.

■ It is unlawful to operate a vessel that exceeds a noise level of

90 decibels when subjected to a stationary sound level test

or 75 decibels when in operation on state waters.

Engine Cut-Off Switch (ECOS) (625 ILCS 45/4-11)

It is unlawful to operate a motorized vessel, including a PWC or

specialty prop-craft, that is equipped with an engine cut-off switch

(ECOS) unless the switch is operational and fully functional.

■ With a lanyard-type ECOS, the lanyard must be attached to

the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator.

■ With a wireless cut-off device, the wireless system must

be activated.

Sound-Producing Devices (625 ILCS 45/4-4 and 45/4-8)

■ On Illinois state waters, all motorized vessels must have a

mouth-, hand-, or power-operated whistle or other device

capable of producing a blast that is two seconds or more in

duration and audible for at least one-half mile.

■ No vessel may be equipped with a siren, except law

enforcement and emergency vessels.

Visual Distress Signals (VDSs) (625 ILCS 45/4-12)

Vessels on Lake Michigan must be equipped with USCG–

approved visual distress signals (VDSs). All vessels are required

to carry night signals when operating between sunset and

sunrise. Vessels 16 feet long or longer must carry day signals also.

8 It’s the Law!

Navigation Lights (625 ILCS 45/4-2 and 45/4-8)

The required navigation lights must be displayed between sunset

and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.

Power-Driven Vessels When Underway

If less than 65.6 feet long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as

shown in illustration 1. Remember, power-driven vessels include

sailboats operating under engine power. The required lights are:

■ Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least

two miles away—or if less than 39.4 feet long, at least one

mile away—on a dark, clear night.

■ An all-round white light or both a masthead light and a

sternlight. These lights must be visible from a distance of at

least two miles away on a dark, clear night. The all-round

white light (or the masthead light) must be at least 3.3 feet

higher than the sidelights.

Remember... A vessel or motorboat when underway between

sunset and sunrise must have and exhibit USCG–approved

navigation lights. No vessel is authorized or permitted to

carry any lighting (not required by law) that will interfere

with another vessel’s ability to distinguish the vessel’s

navigation lighting.

Unpowered Vessels When Underway

Unpowered vessels are sailboats or vessels that are paddled,

poled, or rowed.

■ If less than 65.6 feet long, these vessels must exhibit the

lights as shown in illustration 2. The required lights are:

• Red and green sidelights visible from at least two miles

away—or if less than 39.4 feet long, at least one mile away.

• A sternlight visible from at least two miles away.

■ If less than 23.0 feet long, these vessels should:

• If practical, exhibit the same lights as required for

unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet in length.

• If not practical, have on hand at least one lantern or

flashlight shining a white light as in illustration 3.

All Vessels When Not Underway

All vessels are required to display a white light visible for one

mile from all directions whenever they are anchored away from

a dock or moored in an area other than a designated mooring

area between sunset and sunrise.

It’s the Law! 9

1. Power-Driven Vessels Less Than 65.6 Feet

2. Unpowered Vessels Less Than 65.6 Feet

An alternative

to the sidelights

and sternlight is a

combination red,

green, and white

light, which must

be exhibited near

the top of the

mast.

3. Unpowered Vessels Less Than 23.0 Feet

Vessel operators should never leave

shore without a flashlight. Even if you

plan to return before dark, unforeseen

developments might delay your return

past nightfall.

The masthead light and

sternlight may be combined

as an all-round white

light on vessels less than

39.4 feet long.

Less than 39.4 feet only

On the Water

Unlawful Operation (625 ILCS)

Illinois law states that these operating practices are illegal.

■ Careless Operation (625 ILCS 45/5-1) of a vessel is operating in

a careless manner that causes danger to any person or property,

or operating at speeds greater than that which allows the

operator to bring the vessel to a stop within an assured clear

distance ahead.

■ Reckless Operation (625 ILCS 45/5-2) of a vessel or the reckless

manipulation of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device is

operating in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, or

property of any person. Examples are:

• Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic

• Jumping a wake of another vessel unreasonably close or

when visibility around the other vessel is obstructed

• Waiting until the last moment to swerve and avoid collision

• Operating a vessel in a manner that creates hazardous wave or

wake conditions while approaching or passing another boat

■ Overloading or Overpowering (625 ILCS 45/5-4 and 45/5-6) is

operating a vessel that has been loaded beyond the

recommended carrying capacity or powered beyond the

horsepower limits shown on the capacity plate installed by the

vessel manufacturer.

■ Operating in Restricted or “No Wake” Areas (625 ILCS

45/5-7 and 45/5-12)

is not maintaining a proper speed and/or

distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to:

• Operate a vessel within an area that has been clearly marked as

a bathing, fishing, swimming, or restricted area.

• Operate a vessel within 150 feet of a public launching ramp

at greater than a “slow, no wake speed.”

• Exceed “slow, no wake speed” in any area marked with buoys

or signs as “No Wake.”

“Slow, No Wake Speed” means speed at which the vessel

does not produce a wake, not to exceed 5 miles per hour.

■ Riding on Bow or Gunwales (625 ILCS 45/5-21) is allowing a

passenger to ride on the decking over the bow or stern, gunwales,

or tops of seat backs of a motorized vessel unless the passenger is

within guard rails to prevent falling overboard.

It’s the Law! 11

■

Failure to Follow Navigation Rules (625 ILCS 45/5-13) is not

following the navigation rules (listed below).

Navigation Rules

All operators are equally responsible for taking action to avoid

collisions. There are two terms that help explain these rules.

■ Stand-on vessel should maintain its course and speed.

■ Give-way vessel must take early and substantial action to avoid

collision by stopping, slowing down, or changing course.

Power vs. Sail

Meeting Head-On

Power vs. Power: Neither

vessel is the stand-on vessel.

Both vessels should keep to the

starboard (right).

Power vs. Sail: The powerboat is

the give-way vessel. The sailboat

Give

is the stand-on vessel.

way!

Give

way!

Give

way!

Power vs. Power

Crossing Situations

Power vs. Power: The vessel on

the operator’s port (left) side is

the give-way vessel. The vessel

on the operator’s starboard (right)

Give

side is the stand-on vessel.

way!

Power vs. Sail: The powerboat is

the give-way vessel. The sailboat

Give

is the stand-on vessel.

way!

Overtaking

Power vs. Power: The vessel that

is overtaking another vessel is the

give-way vessel. The vessel being

overtaken is the stand-on vessel.

Power vs. Sail: The vessel that is

overtaking another vessel is the

Give

way!

Give

give-way vessel. The vessel being

way!

overtaken is the stand-on vessel.

12 It’s the Law!

Alcohol and Drugs (625 ILCS 45/5-16)

Illinois law prohibits anyone from operating a vessel while

under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

■ By operating a vessel on Illinois waters, you have given

“implied” consent to alcohol and/or drug testing if arrested

for operating under the influence.

■ Illinois law states that a person is considered to be operating a

vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs if:

• The alcohol concentration

in his or her blood or breath

is 0.08% or more or…

• The person is under the

influence of any other drug

or combination of drugs

and/or alcohol to a degree

that renders him or her

incapable of operating the

vessel safely or…

• The person has any amount of a drug, substance, or

compound in his or her blood or urine resulting from the

unlawful use or consumption of cannabis, a controlled

substance, or an intoxicating compound.

Boating Accidents (625 ILCS 45/6)

■ A vessel operator is required to make a written report

whenever a boating accident results in:

• Loss of life or disappearance of a person or…

• Injury to any person or…

• Property damage in excess of $2,000.

■ Accidents that result in death of any person must be

reported to the DNR by the vessel operator within 48 hours

of the accident. All other serious injuries and accidents must

be reported to the DNR within five days.

■ Accident report forms are available from any DNR office or

on the Internet at

media.defense.gov/2022/Mar/08/2002952253/-1/-1/0/CG_3865.PDF

.

Just remember this simple rule:

Don’t Drink and Boat!

It’s the Law! 13

Enforcement (625 ILCS 45/2 and 45/5-22)

Illinois DNR officers and all other law enforcement officers

enforce boating laws.

■ Officers have the authority to stop and board your vessel

in order to check that you are complying with state and

federal laws.

■ It is illegal to refuse to follow the directive of a person with

law enforcement authority. An operator who has received a

visual or audible signal from a law enforcement officer must

bring his or her vessel to a stop.

■ You must yield or slow to “slow, no wake speed” when

being approached by or passing an emergency vessel using

legal visual signals. Failure to yield or slow will result in a

mandatory suspension of vessel operating privileges for a

period of three months up to two years.

Diver-Down Flags (625 ILCS 45/5-19)

■ Persons scuba diving, skin diving, snorkeling, or underwater

spearfishing must display a diver-down flag to warn other

boaters. A diver must stay within 150 feet of the flag. Unless

there is an emergency, a diver may not surface more than 50

feet from the flag. It is unlawful to display a diver-down flag

when not diving. Vessels not engaged in diving operations

must stay at least 150 feet from a displayed diver-down flag.

■ Two types of flags are used to indicate diving activity.

A rectangular red A blue-and-white

flag, at least 12" International Code

high x 15" wide, Flag A (or Alfa flag),

with a white required on federally

diagonal stripe controlled waters

Divers

Alfa

Flag

Discharge of Sewage and Waste (625 ILCS 45/4-9)

Illinois law states that it is unlawful to discharge any sewage

into Illinois waters directly or indirectly. Federal law requires

that every vessel with an installed toilet must have an operable

USCG–certified marine sanitation device (MSD) on board.

Specifically for PWC

In addition to adhering to all boating laws, PWC operators

have requirements specific to their vessel.

Requirements for PWC

(625 ILCS 45/4-1, 625 ILCS 45/4-11, 625 ILCS 45/5-2, 625 ILCS 45/5-18,

625 ILCS 45/5-20)

■ Every person on board

a PWC or a specialty

prop-craft must wear a

USCG–approved PFD

that is in good and

serviceable condition.

(Inflatable PFDs are not

approved for PWC or

prop-craft use.)

■ If the PWC is equipped with an ECOS:

• The lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing, or

PFD of the operator or…

• The wireless cut-off system must be activated.

■ A PWC may not be operated between sunset and sunrise.

■ There are minimum age and boater education requirements

for PWC operators. See “Who May Operate a Vessel.”

■ A PWC must be operated in a responsible manner.

Maneuvers that endanger people or property are prohibited,

including:

• Weaving your PWC through congested waterway traffic

• Jumping a wake of another vessel unreasonably close to

the other vessel or when visibility around the other vessel

is obstructed

• Waiting until the last possible moment to swerve and

avoid collision

Specifically for Skiing

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, aquaplanes, or

any similar devices must obey these laws also.

Requirements for Towing Skiers (625 ILCS 45/5-14)

■ When a vessel is pulling a person on water skis, aquaplanes, or

similar devices, the operator must have a competent person on

board to act as an observer.

■ All vessels, including PWC, that are towing a person(s) on

water skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices must be designed

and recommended by the manufacturer to accommodate the

operator, observer, and person(s) being towed.

■ A person may not be towed from a half-hour after sunset to a

half-hour before sunrise.

■ Those towing skiers on water skis, aquaplanes, or similar

devices and those being towed must act in a safe and prudent

manner.

• Vessels towing persons must maintain a reasonable distance

from other persons and property so as not to endanger the

life or property of any person.

• It is illegal to operate the vessel or manipulate the towing

rope, water skis, or other devices such that the towed device

or person collides with any other person or object.

Skier-Towing Flag (625 ILCS 45/5–14)

Vessels towing persons on water skis or other devices must

display a skier-towing flag from the highest point around the

vessel’s helm so that it is visible from all directions at all times

while a person is in the water preparing to be towed, while the

person is being towed, and until the person has re-entered the

vessel. The flag may not be used for any other purpose.

The flag must be bright orange and

at least 12" x 12" in size.

-

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT

OF NATURAL RESOURCES

IDNR Central Office

One Natural Resources Way

Springfield, IL 62702

217-782-6302

www.dnr.illinois.gov

Office of Law Enforcement

217-782-6431

dnr.illinois.gov/lawenforcement.html

Contact Local Conservation Police Officer (CPO):

dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/lawenforcement/documents/districtcpo

phonesandemails.pdf.

Prepare for Safety

Take a boating safety course. It’s required by law for some Illinois

boaters. Even if it’s not required for you, becoming certified may

save you money on boat insurance.

◆ To find a classroom course, call 1-800-832-2599.

◆ To take an online course, visit www.boat-ed.com/illinois.

◆ Everything you want to know about what’s going on outdoors in

Illinois is just a click away…

www.dnr.illinois.gov