TX Boater Education Certification Exam
Review UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
A recreational vessel is approaching a U.S. Naval vessel. At what distance from the U.S.
Naval vessel must the recreational vessel slow to minimum speed? - Correct Answer- 500
yards
According to Texas boating law, which of these is considered legal operation? - Correct
Answer- operating at a speed that does not endanger others if no speed limit is posted
According to Texas law, children under what age must wear a USCG-approved PFD (life
jacket) while underway on a vessel less than 26 feet long? - Correct Answer- those under 13
years of age
According to Texas law, during what hours is it illegal to operate a personal watercraft? -
Correct Answer- between sunset and sunrise
According to Texas law, during what hours is it legal to tow a person behind a boat on water
skis or other device? - Correct Answer- between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half
hour after sunset
According to Texas law, in what circumstances are persons allowed to ride on the gunwale of
a vessel that is underway? - Correct Answer- under no circumstances
According to Texas law, what age person must be supervised by a person 18 years of age or
older on board the vessel in order to operate a personal watercraft? - Correct Answer- those
less than 13 years of age
According to Texas law, what operators are required to have passed an approved boating
course in order to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) without supervision? - Correct
Answer- operators at least 13 years of age and born on or after September 1, 1993
, According to Texas law, who must be on board, in addition to the operator, if the vessel is
towing a skier and does not have a rearview mirror? - Correct Answer- an observer at least 13
years of age to observe the progress of the person being towed
According to the Texas Water Safety Act, how far must you keep your vessel from a diving
area marked b diver-down flag? - Correct Answer- at least 50 feet
Everyone on board a vessel should understand basic safety practices. Who is responsible for
ensuring this? - Correct Answer- the vessel operator
How can propeller strike accidents be avoided? - Correct Answer- Turn off the engine when
passengers are boarding.
How can you prevent transporting nuisance species (plants or animals) with your vessel from
one waterway to another? - Correct Answer- Remove any zebra mussels you see before
leaving the body of water.
How do you know when you are operating your vessel at a safe speed? - Correct Answer-
You have enough time to avoid a collision
How does the effect of alcohol consumed while boating compare to the effect on land? -
Correct Answer- much greater effect while boating
How should a vessel's registration number and validation decal be displayed? - Correct
Answer- on both sides of the bow of the boat
How should you approach the dock when docking your vessel? - Correct Answer- into the
wind or current, whichever is stronger
If your inboard/outboard boat runs aground, what action should you take in addition to
shifting the weight away from the point of impact? - Correct Answer- Stop the engine and lift
the outdrive.
In Texas, how far must a PWC stay from another vessel, unless the PWC is maintaining
headway speed? - Correct Answer- at least 50 feet
Review UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
A recreational vessel is approaching a U.S. Naval vessel. At what distance from the U.S.
Naval vessel must the recreational vessel slow to minimum speed? - Correct Answer- 500
yards
According to Texas boating law, which of these is considered legal operation? - Correct
Answer- operating at a speed that does not endanger others if no speed limit is posted
According to Texas law, children under what age must wear a USCG-approved PFD (life
jacket) while underway on a vessel less than 26 feet long? - Correct Answer- those under 13
years of age
According to Texas law, during what hours is it illegal to operate a personal watercraft? -
Correct Answer- between sunset and sunrise
According to Texas law, during what hours is it legal to tow a person behind a boat on water
skis or other device? - Correct Answer- between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half
hour after sunset
According to Texas law, in what circumstances are persons allowed to ride on the gunwale of
a vessel that is underway? - Correct Answer- under no circumstances
According to Texas law, what age person must be supervised by a person 18 years of age or
older on board the vessel in order to operate a personal watercraft? - Correct Answer- those
less than 13 years of age
According to Texas law, what operators are required to have passed an approved boating
course in order to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) without supervision? - Correct
Answer- operators at least 13 years of age and born on or after September 1, 1993
, According to Texas law, who must be on board, in addition to the operator, if the vessel is
towing a skier and does not have a rearview mirror? - Correct Answer- an observer at least 13
years of age to observe the progress of the person being towed
According to the Texas Water Safety Act, how far must you keep your vessel from a diving
area marked b diver-down flag? - Correct Answer- at least 50 feet
Everyone on board a vessel should understand basic safety practices. Who is responsible for
ensuring this? - Correct Answer- the vessel operator
How can propeller strike accidents be avoided? - Correct Answer- Turn off the engine when
passengers are boarding.
How can you prevent transporting nuisance species (plants or animals) with your vessel from
one waterway to another? - Correct Answer- Remove any zebra mussels you see before
leaving the body of water.
How do you know when you are operating your vessel at a safe speed? - Correct Answer-
You have enough time to avoid a collision
How does the effect of alcohol consumed while boating compare to the effect on land? -
Correct Answer- much greater effect while boating
How should a vessel's registration number and validation decal be displayed? - Correct
Answer- on both sides of the bow of the boat
How should you approach the dock when docking your vessel? - Correct Answer- into the
wind or current, whichever is stronger
If your inboard/outboard boat runs aground, what action should you take in addition to
shifting the weight away from the point of impact? - Correct Answer- Stop the engine and lift
the outdrive.
In Texas, how far must a PWC stay from another vessel, unless the PWC is maintaining
headway speed? - Correct Answer- at least 50 feet
