Mock Test Papers TX Boating Laws
Questions All Solved Correct
(2025)Updated.
Boater Education Requirements, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code § 31.109 - Answer - (a) This
section applies only to a person who is:
(1) born on or after September 1, 1993; and
(2) operating on the public water of this state:
(A) a vessel powered by a motor with a manufacturer's rating of more than 15 horsepower; or
(B) a windblown vessel over 14 feet in length.
- (b) A person subject to this section must have in the person's possession a photographic
identification card and either:
(1) a boater identification card issued by the department; or
(2) proof of completion of the requirements to obtain a vessel operator's license issued by the
United States Coast Guard.
- (c) The department shall issue a boater identification card to a person who has successfully
completed:
(1) a boater education course approved by the department; or
(2) a course equivalency examination approved by the department.
- (d) A boater identification card issued to a person who has successfully completed a boater
education course or course equivalency examination does not expire.
Is there "Open Container" in a watercraft? - Answer No
Required Safety Equipment for Personal Watercraft (PWC) - Answer All equipment
requirements for regular motorboats also apply to PWC. In addition to those requirements:
- each occupant must wear a USCG approved wearable PFD;
- if the PWC is equipped with a cut-off or kill switch, it must be attached to the operator or
operator's clothing.
- inflatable life jackets are NOT approved for use on PWC.
Age requirements for operating a personal watercraft (PWC). - Answer Must be 13.
Children under 13 are specifically prohibited from operating a PWC unless accompanied on
, The following vessels/boats when on Texas public water are required to have current
registration, including when docked, moored, or stored: - Answer • All motorized vessels,
regardless of length (including any sailboat with an auxiliary engine);
• All non-motorized vessels (including sailboats) 14 feet in length or longer; and
• USCG documented vessels.
Vessels Exempted from Registration - Answer Non-motorized canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats,
or rubber rafts (regardless of length), or other vessels under 14 feet in length when paddled,
poled, oared or windblown. Adding an outboard or trolling motor to one of these vessel types
requires titling and registration.
PLACEMENT OF TX NUMBER AND DECAL ON VESSELS - Answer • The TX number must be
painted on, or otherwise attached to, each side of the forward half of the vessel, in such
position as to provide easy identification.
• The TX number must read from left to right, be in BLOCK characters of good proportion not
less than three inches in height and be of a color that contrasts with the background.
• The numerals must be separated from the prefix and the suffix by hyphens or equivalent
spaces such as the following examples: TX 0001 GG or TX-0001-GG.
• The validation decal must be affixed in line with and three (3) inches towards the rear of the
boat from the TX number.
• The number printed on the decal must match the number listed on the certificate of number
card issued for the vessel described on the card.
• Vessels registered as antique boats are permitted to display the registration decal on the left
portion of the windshield. In the absence of a windshield, the registration decal must be
attached to the certificate of number and made available for inspection when the boat is
operated on public water.
Homemade Boats - Answer Homemade boats require an affidavit from the applicant as to the
origin of the boat and proof of the materials used in the construction of the boat (i.e. invoices
from marine and hardware dealers for parts, etc.). Homemade boats are required to be
inspected and certified by a TPWD game warden.
HULL IDENTIFICATION AND MOTOR SERIAL NUMBERS - Answer It is illegal to possess or
intentionally sell, offer for sale, or purchase a vessel with a hull identification number or an
outboard motor with a serial number that has been altered, defaced, mutilated, or removed. To
acquire registration or title for a vessel or outboard motor with a serial number that has been
altered, defaced, mutilated or removed, a sworn statement must be filed with TPWD describing
the vessel or outboard motor, providing proof of legal ownership, and stating the reason for the
Questions All Solved Correct
(2025)Updated.
Boater Education Requirements, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code § 31.109 - Answer - (a) This
section applies only to a person who is:
(1) born on or after September 1, 1993; and
(2) operating on the public water of this state:
(A) a vessel powered by a motor with a manufacturer's rating of more than 15 horsepower; or
(B) a windblown vessel over 14 feet in length.
- (b) A person subject to this section must have in the person's possession a photographic
identification card and either:
(1) a boater identification card issued by the department; or
(2) proof of completion of the requirements to obtain a vessel operator's license issued by the
United States Coast Guard.
- (c) The department shall issue a boater identification card to a person who has successfully
completed:
(1) a boater education course approved by the department; or
(2) a course equivalency examination approved by the department.
- (d) A boater identification card issued to a person who has successfully completed a boater
education course or course equivalency examination does not expire.
Is there "Open Container" in a watercraft? - Answer No
Required Safety Equipment for Personal Watercraft (PWC) - Answer All equipment
requirements for regular motorboats also apply to PWC. In addition to those requirements:
- each occupant must wear a USCG approved wearable PFD;
- if the PWC is equipped with a cut-off or kill switch, it must be attached to the operator or
operator's clothing.
- inflatable life jackets are NOT approved for use on PWC.
Age requirements for operating a personal watercraft (PWC). - Answer Must be 13.
Children under 13 are specifically prohibited from operating a PWC unless accompanied on
, The following vessels/boats when on Texas public water are required to have current
registration, including when docked, moored, or stored: - Answer • All motorized vessels,
regardless of length (including any sailboat with an auxiliary engine);
• All non-motorized vessels (including sailboats) 14 feet in length or longer; and
• USCG documented vessels.
Vessels Exempted from Registration - Answer Non-motorized canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats,
or rubber rafts (regardless of length), or other vessels under 14 feet in length when paddled,
poled, oared or windblown. Adding an outboard or trolling motor to one of these vessel types
requires titling and registration.
PLACEMENT OF TX NUMBER AND DECAL ON VESSELS - Answer • The TX number must be
painted on, or otherwise attached to, each side of the forward half of the vessel, in such
position as to provide easy identification.
• The TX number must read from left to right, be in BLOCK characters of good proportion not
less than three inches in height and be of a color that contrasts with the background.
• The numerals must be separated from the prefix and the suffix by hyphens or equivalent
spaces such as the following examples: TX 0001 GG or TX-0001-GG.
• The validation decal must be affixed in line with and three (3) inches towards the rear of the
boat from the TX number.
• The number printed on the decal must match the number listed on the certificate of number
card issued for the vessel described on the card.
• Vessels registered as antique boats are permitted to display the registration decal on the left
portion of the windshield. In the absence of a windshield, the registration decal must be
attached to the certificate of number and made available for inspection when the boat is
operated on public water.
Homemade Boats - Answer Homemade boats require an affidavit from the applicant as to the
origin of the boat and proof of the materials used in the construction of the boat (i.e. invoices
from marine and hardware dealers for parts, etc.). Homemade boats are required to be
inspected and certified by a TPWD game warden.
HULL IDENTIFICATION AND MOTOR SERIAL NUMBERS - Answer It is illegal to possess or
intentionally sell, offer for sale, or purchase a vessel with a hull identification number or an
outboard motor with a serial number that has been altered, defaced, mutilated, or removed. To
acquire registration or title for a vessel or outboard motor with a serial number that has been
altered, defaced, mutilated or removed, a sworn statement must be filed with TPWD describing
the vessel or outboard motor, providing proof of legal ownership, and stating the reason for the
