Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Mandatory Boater Education Requirements
All those born after August 31, 1984, are legally required to
pass a boater education course before they can legally operate:
- A vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more or …
- A sailboat over 14 feet in length.
These persons must carry with them on the vessel:
- Photographic identification, such as a driver’s license, and …
- A boater education certification card issued by TPWD upon
successful completion of a boater education course.
The course must be approved by Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Those born after August 31, 1984, are exempt from the boater
education requirement if they:
- Are 18 years of age or older or …
- Are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard to serve as a master
of a vessel or …
- Operate the vessel only on a private lake or pond or …
- Are accompanied on board by a person 18 years of age or older
who is exempt from this requirement or …
- Are not a resident of Texas and have proof that they have
passed a boater education course in another state that is accepted
by TPWD.
Who May Operate a Powerboat
You must be 16 years of age or older to operate a boat powered
by a motor of 15 horsepower or more unless:
- You are 13 years of age or older and have passed a boater
education course approved by Texas Parks & Wildlife or …
- You are accompanied by a person on board who is 18 years of
age or older.
Be aware that the mandatory boater education law supersedes this
law limiting the age of powerboat operators. This means that if
you were born after August 31, 1984, and are less than 18 years
of age, you must have passed a boater education course approved
by Texas Parks & Wildlife to operate a boat powered by a motor
of 10 horsepower or more.
Who May Operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC)
You must be 16 years of age or older to operate a PWC unless:
- You are 13 years of age or older and have passed a boater
education course approved by Texas Parks & Wildlife or …
- You are accompanied by a person on board who is 18 years of
age or older.
Be aware that the mandatory boater education law supersedes this
law limiting the age of PWC operators. This means that if
you were born after August 31, 1984, and are less than 18 years
of age, you must have passed a boater education course approved
by Texas Parks & Wildlife to operate a PWC powered by a motor
of 10 horsepower or more.
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