March 19, 2026: In 2025, the Connecticut Legislature took a significant step to strengthen public safety by passing Public Act 25-159. The legislation includes provisions designed to close a long-standing gap between roadway and waterway enforcement. It recognizes a simple but powerful reality: operating under the influence — whether behind the wheel of a car or at the helm of a boat — poses the same serious risks to the public.
Under the new law, effective Oct. 1, 2025, the state now requires reciprocal operating suspensions for individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or boating under the influence (BUI). This means a suspension in one realm no longer exists in isolation. A person who loses their driver’s license for DUI will also lose their privilege to operate a boat, and vice versa.
Implementation of this requirement presented challenges, as the statutory suspension timeframes for driving and boating do not align directly. For example, a first DUI offense results in a 45-day driver’s license suspension, along with the requirement to use an ignition interlock device. In contrast, a first BUI offense results in a one-year suspension of a safe boating certificate. A second DUI offense carries a 45-day license suspension, ignition interlock device requirements and limited driving privileges for work and school. A second BUI offense results in a three-year boating certificate suspension. A third offense results in permanent revocation for both.
The law extends further. It prohibits the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from issuing or renewing a driver’s license for any individual whose safe boating certificate is suspended, revoked or subject to pending action by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for BUI. Likewise, DEEP may not issue a safe boating certificate to anyone whose driver’s license is suspended, revoked or subject to pending DUI-related action by the DMV.
To support this reciprocal enforcement, timely and accurate information sharing between the two agencies is essential. Historically, DMV and DEEP operated separate licensing systems for automobiles and boats, each with its own authority and data protections. With the passage of Public Act 25-159, the Legislature made it clear that coordination is no longer optional — it is required.
In late 2025, the two agencies entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that defines how they notify one another when an individual’s license or certificate is suspended or revoked due to operating under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both.
Through collaboration, partnership and legislative support, Connecticut is aligning its transportation safety efforts to better protect the public and promote responsible operation everywhere it matters.
— Peter B. Francis, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
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