Persons less than 16 years of age shall not operate a Personal Watercraft unless he or she is accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older. Exception: If the person is at least 13 years of age and has successfully passed an approved boater education course.

No person under 16 years of age may operate a motorboat over 15 horsepower unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older. Exception: If the person is at least 13 years of age and has successfully passed an approved boater education course.

No person born after September 1, 1984, may operate a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater or a sailboat over 14 feet in length unless he or she has in their possession a photographic identification and a boater education certificate issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This law will be progressively phased to include a larger segment of the boating population. In the year 2000 persons 16 years of age and in the year 2001 persons 17 years of age will also be required to complete a boating safety course.

Texas requires those under 13 years of age to wear a PFD while underway.