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Kentucky Boating Under the Influence (BUI) (2026)

Conditional: Kentucky considers a boat operator intoxicated if the concentration of alcohol in the blood is 0.08% or more (Dept. of Fish & Wildlife).

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: fw.ky.gov →

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

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in states bordering Kentucky

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

IllinoisConditional
Illinois (625 ILCS 45/5-16) considers a person to be operating a vessel under the influence at a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov · Full Illinois rule →
IndianaConditional
Indiana prosecutes boating under the influence under its operating-while-intoxicated statutes (0.08% BAC); state law includes a watercraft within the definition of vehicle for OWI.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: legislativeupdate.courts.in.gov · Full Indiana rule →
MissouriConditional
Missouri makes it an offense to operate a vessel with 0.08% or more by weight of alcohol in the blood (boating with excessive blood alcohol content, RSMo 577.014).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: revisor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
OhioConditional
Ohio prohibits operating a vessel with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more; under 21 the limit is 0.02 (Ohio DNR, ORC 1547).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ohiodnr.gov · Full Ohio rule →
TennesseeConditional
Tennessee (TWRA) presumes a boat operator is under the influence at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: tn.gov · Full Tennessee rule →
VirginiaConditional
Virginia (Va. Code 29.1-738) prohibits operating a watercraft with a blood alcohol concentration at or above the motor-vehicle limit (0.08 per 18.2-266).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →
West VirginiaConditional
West Virginia prohibits operating a motorized vessel under the influence or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more by weight.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: wvdnr.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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