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Tennessee Boating Under the Influence (BUI) (2026)

Conditional: Tennessee (TWRA) presumes a boat operator is under the influence at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: tn.gov →

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

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in states bordering Tennessee

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

AlabamaConditional
Alabama prohibits operating a vessel with 0.08% or more alcohol by weight in the blood; enforced by ALEA Marine Patrol.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: alea.gov · Full Alabama rule →
ArkansasConditional
Arkansas considers a person boating while intoxicated with a blood, breath, or urine alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more (0.02% if under 21).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: agfc.com · Full Arkansas rule →
GeorgiaConditional
Under the Georgia Boat Safety Act (DNR), operators 21 or older may not operate a boat or PWC with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or more.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: gadnrle.org · Full Georgia rule →
KentuckyConditional
Kentucky considers a boat operator intoxicated if the concentration of alcohol in the blood is 0.08% or more (Dept. of Fish & Wildlife).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: fw.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MississippiConditional
Under Mississippi's Alcohol Boating Safety Act (Miss. Code 59-23-7), it is unlawful to operate a watercraft with 0.08% or more by weight of alcohol in the blood.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dmr.ms.gov · Full Mississippi 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 →
North CarolinaConditional
North Carolina prohibits operating any vessel while underway with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more (G.S. 75A-10; Wildlife Resources Commission).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ncleg.net · Full North Carolina 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 →

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