Boating on Suspended License (Ohio)

[WalleyeSniper]

Can you legally operate a powerboat on Lake Erie (Ohio) if your state Drivers license has been revoked/under suspension?

I have a friend who is wanting to get into boating. BUT, he has a suspended driver's license here in Ohio for speeding/12pt suspension. I know in many states, if you have a suspended driver's license you cannot operate ANY motor powered vehicle (inclusive of boats or anything else) on public property whatsoever.

I've gotten yes's and no's from various authprity sources here in NEOhio, so I'm kinda confused as no one seems to have a direct answer. Does anyone have any information or a direct answer on this? (I'm checking now, before letting him take the helm of my boat, to teach him different things while we're out fishing.) Id hate to be out teaching him how to crawl waves, avoid swamping, and etc only to get in trouble with the Coast Guard should they see him at the wheel of my boat.

Thanks in advance for any input whatsoever. It is very much appreciated.

 

[jbuote]

I'm not seeing anything one way or another with any certainty..
It appears, that if born after Jan 1, 1982, all you need is to pass a boater safety exam for vessels 10hp and above, or for personal watercraft...

However, It appears that the ODNR is the authority..
That's where you register boats etc, so I'd contact them directly and inquire there..
http://watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/
That should be the final say I'd think...

Hope it helps!

Oh...
I'd think that if you were ON the boat with him, you're still in charge, so he could drive it.. (You're supervising if you will)
That'd be your call though..

 

[ahicks]

That's a good question! Here In Mi. they can give you points on your driver's license for a DUI received on the water (not the case in Florida, not yet anyway), but I'm pretty sure there is no drivers license required to drive a boat - assuming you are of age (in Mi. or Florida).

 

[JASinIL2006]

If I were him, I'd be getting something in writing (or published on the web). It should be his first responsibility, if he wants to drive a boat, to find out if he can legally do so. Personally, I would not be getting in the middle on this; I'd let him track down the answer since it's his butt that will be on the line if stopped on the water by and LEO.

 

[H20Rat]

Keep in mind that law enforcement officials (be it on road or water) don't always know the law, and are under no requirements to tell you the law. In other words, what they tell you might be entirely incorrect one way or the other, and it isn't a legal defense.

Like Jas mentioned above, unless you can get it in writing from someone high up in one of the respective agencies, your best bet might be some money spent on a lawyer to get clarification of the law.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Sometimes Judges don't know the law. Wouldn't the DOT be able to tell you? In Ontario our drivers licenses are tied into our boating offences like DUI's on the water and reckless driving of a water craft. Suspended drivers licence means suspended Boaters Card. We had a few guys out here that lost their licences so they drove their lawnmowers and even Tractors to the Hotel (Bar) or wherever. Nope.

 

[roscoe]

So what happens if I don't have a motor vehicle driver's license?

Is there a law somewhere that says you have to have a drivers license to drive a boat?
Or an atv ? I doubt it.
I know several teenagers that are legal to drive a boat, but have no DL for a car, one of them will likely never have a drivers license, as he says he will never own a car.

I know you can own a car, or boat, or atv, and not have a license.
Dad owns a van, but gave up his DL due to his age and failing vision.
But he has it licensed and insured so other people can drive him around.

If there is such a law somewhere, does it apply to mopeds and bicycles too?

 

[5150abf]

Call ODNR, get a name and answer so if there is a question there is a name to go with the answer.

I had this with my carry permit in Indiana, ask 12 policeman if I have to conceal or can I open carry, it was 6-6 split so I called the office listed on the carry permit.

They oddly enough were pretty reluctant to tell me but I did get a name and an answer.

 

[tpenfield]

Perhaps an issue overlooked is that if the friend got his license suspended for speeding, should he really be driving a boat :noidea:

Just tell him he has to clean up his act first

 

[briangcc]

So what happens if I don't have a motor vehicle driver's license?

Is there a law somewhere that says you have to have a drivers license to drive a boat?
Or an atv ? I doubt it.
I know several teenagers that are legal to drive a boat, but have no DL for a car, one of them will likely never have a drivers license, as he says he will never own a car.

I know you can own a car, or boat, or atv, and not have a license.
Dad owns a van, but gave up his DL due to his age and failing vision.
But he has it licensed and insured so other people can drive him around.

If there is such a law somewhere, does it apply to mopeds and bicycles too?

Interestingly enough - YES. Anyone born after '85, or is it '86, needs to pass a boater safety class to pilot a boat. State law. **Old farts like myself are grandfathered in. Per DEC, no plan to make this retroactive to my generation or older. EVERY Jet Ski operator, regardless of age, has to have passed the class as well. Again, State law. Lakes where I boat are patrolled and I see checks being made.

As for mopeds or bikes...unsure. Helmets are mandatory though, regardless of age. Ahem...State law.


Welcome to NY!

 

[Mischief Managed]

All that matters is what is required for legal operation of a boat in OH. If you do not need an automobile operators license to operate a boat, then the suspension of the operators license is irrelevant.