← Indiana boating laws›Life Jacket Rules

Indiana Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: Indiana sets no state-specific child-wear age, so the federal rule applies: children under 13 must wear a PFD on a moving vessel under 26 ft; one wearable PFD required per person aboard.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

Boating rules change at the state line — and in your state.Track them in the free LawLert iPhone app: it alerts you when you cross into a state where they differ, and when they change in your state. No account.Get the app

Official source: faqs.in.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering Indiana

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IllinoisConditional
Illinois requires an approved wearable PFD be worn by each person under age 13 on the deck of, or in an open, watercraft whenever it is underway.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov · Full Illinois rule →
KentuckyConditional
Kentucky requires children under 12 years of age to wear a USCG-approved PFD at all times while underway in an open vessel or on an open deck.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: fw.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MichiganConditional
Michigan requires all children under 6 years of age to wear a USCG-approved Type I or II PFD when riding on the open deck of any vessel while underway.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: michigan.gov · Full Michigan rule →
OhioConditional
Ohio requires any child under 10 years old to wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times while aboard a vessel less than 18 feet in length that is underway.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dam.assets.ohio.gov · Full Ohio rule →

Don't get caught off guardCross into a state where this law is different and the free iPhone app tells you what changed, even with the app closed. It also alerts you when a law you track changes where you live. No account.Get the free app

Track this law — get alerted when it changes

We watch the official sources behind Indiana boating rules. If a tracked rule changes, you get one short email — never more than one a week. Free, unsubscribe anytime.