Texas Boater Education Card: PWC Operation Privileges for Teens

The Texas Boater Education Card (issued after completing a TPWD-approved boater safety course) grants specific operational privileges for personal watercraft (PWC)—jet skis, WaveRunners, Sea-Doos—to operators aged 13–17.

What the Card Allows

A cardholder aged 13 or older may operate a PWC without onboard supervision by an adult (21+) if ALL conditions are met:

1. Age: Operator ≥ 13 years old
2. Purpose: Recreational use only (not commercial/rental instruction)
3. Activity: NOT towing skiers, tubers, wakeboarders, or any watersports participants
4. Card possession: Physical or digital card on person while operating

What It Does NOT Allow

• Operation by children under 13 (even with card)—they must be supervised by 21+
• Towing any person/device (requires supervisor 21+ regardless of age/card)
• Operation of motorboats >15 hp without supervision (different rule: under 13 prohibited; 13–17 need card + supervisor unless card obtained before 9/1/1993)
• Exemption from all other regulations (speed zones, no-wake, BUI, life jacket laws)

Legal Basis

Texas Parks & Wildlife Code § 31.107–31.109 and 31 TAC § 53.51–53.57.

• Mandatory education for anyone born on/after Sept 1, 1993 operating vessels >15 hp or PWC
• Course: 6+ hours (online/classroom); $10–$30; certificate → lifetime card
• Reciprocity: NASBLA-approved cards from other states honored

Why This Matters

PWCs represent disproportionate accident risk: 8% of registered vessels, 20% of accidents, 30% of injuries (USCG data). The card requirement targets the highest-risk demographic (teen operators) with evidence-based safety training covering:

• PWC handling (no brakes, off-throttle steering loss)
• Collision avoidance, navigation rules
• Re-boarding, engine cut-off switch (lanyard) use
• Texas-specific regulations (50-ft rule, sunset-sunrise ban)

Parents: Verify your teen's card is current, discuss no-towing rule explicitly, and model safe operation yourself.