Do alcohol on a boat (bui) rules differ by state?

Yes. Boating-under-the-influence while you are on this state's water Crosstatelaws maps all 50 states for travelers who are physically in that state — not for what a state requires of its own plates or licenses.

Does alcohol on a boat (bui) apply if my vehicle is registered in another state?

Operate-here rules (speed, helmets, possession, inspections you must stop for) follow the state you are in. Registration-state rules such as a front license plate do not. Read the layer notes on the map.

Where can I see a alcohol on a boat (bui) map?

Open the Crosstatelaws interactive map with this layer soloed: https://crosstatelaws.com/?solo=boat_alcohol

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Alcohol on a boat (BUI) laws by state

People search “Alcohol on a boat (BUI) by state”, “Alcohol on a boat (BUI) laws by state”, and “Boat alcohol map” when a road trip, boat, bike, or load is about to cross a line. This page is the 50-state index for alcohol on a boat (bui). Colors and quotes are written for someone in that state today, not for what that state demands of its own registered vehicles.

Open the Boat alcohol difference map

How states differ

Boating-under-the-influence while you are on this state's water.

Lower BAC than the usual 0.08 (Utah-style)
BUI plus tighter open-container / vessel alcohol rules
Standard BUI; passengers may drink if the operator is sober

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If you typed any of these — or a close variant with a state name — this is the Crosstatelaws topic that should show up:

Alcohol on a boat (BUI) by state
Alcohol on a boat (BUI) laws by state
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Alcohol on a boat (BUI) traveling across state lines
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Alcohol on a boat (BUI) in California / Texas / Florida / New York
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All 50 states

One-line traveler summary for each state. Open the map for the quoted rule and footnotes.

Alabama (AL): Alabama: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Alaska (AK): Alaska: BUI is 0.08 BAC. 0.08 BUI plus vessel alcohol restrictions (Alaska Stat. § 28.35.030 / § 05.25.060).
Arizona (AZ): Arizona: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Arkansas (AR): Arkansas: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
California (CA): California: BUI is 0.08 BAC. 0.08 BUI plus Harbors & Navigation open-container restrictions on the vessel (Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 655 / § 655.6).
Colorado (CO): Colorado: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Connecticut (CT): Connecticut: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Delaware (DE): Delaware: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Florida (FL): Florida: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Georgia (GA): Georgia: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Hawaii (HI): Hawaii: BUI is 0.08 BAC. 0.08 BUI plus vessel alcohol restrictions (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291E-61 / § 200-23).
Idaho (ID): Idaho: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Illinois (IL): Illinois: BUI is 0.08 BAC (625 ILCS 45/5-16); under 21 is 0.00. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Indiana (IN): Indiana: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Iowa (IA): Iowa: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Kansas (KS): Kansas: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Kentucky (KY): Kentucky: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Louisiana (LA): Louisiana: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Maine (ME): Maine: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Maryland (MD): Maryland: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Massachusetts (MA): Massachusetts: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Michigan (MI): Michigan: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Minnesota (MN): Minnesota: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Mississippi (MS): Mississippi: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Missouri (MO): Missouri: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Montana (MT): Montana: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Nebraska (NE): Nebraska: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Nevada (NV): Nevada: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
New Hampshire (NH): New Hampshire: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
New Jersey (NJ): New Jersey: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
New Mexico (NM): New Mexico: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
New York (NY): New York: BUI is 0.08 BAC. 0.08 BUI plus Navigation Law open-container restrictions on the vessel (N.Y. Nav. Law § 49-a).
North Carolina (NC): North Carolina: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
North Dakota (ND): North Dakota: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Ohio (OH): Ohio: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Oklahoma (OK): Oklahoma: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Oregon (OR): Oregon: BUI is 0.08 BAC. 0.08 BUI plus tighter vessel alcohol rules (ORS 830.325) (Or. Rev. Stat. § 830.325).
Pennsylvania (PA): Pennsylvania: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Rhode Island (RI): Rhode Island: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
South Carolina (SC): South Carolina: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
South Dakota (SD): South Dakota: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Tennessee (TN): Tennessee: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Texas (TX): Texas: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Utah (UT): Utah: BUI is 0.05 BAC (Utah Code § 73-18-12) — under the 0.08 car-DUI number. Passengers are not a free pass if you take the helm later.
Vermont (VT): Vermont: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Virginia (VA): Virginia: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Washington (WA): Washington: BUI is 0.08 BAC. 0.08 BUI plus vessel alcohol restrictions (RCW 79A.60) (RCW 79A.60.040).
West Virginia (WV): West Virginia: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Wisconsin (WI): Wisconsin: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.
Wyoming (WY): Wyoming: BUI is 0.08 BAC. No statewide vessel open-container ban — passengers may possess alcohol if the operator stays at 0.08 or under.

Alcohol on a boat (BUI) laws by state

How states differ

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All 50 states

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