Texas Boater Education Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 10

   In Texas, who must complete a boater education course to operate a personal watercraft?

   • AAnyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993
   • BOnly children under 13 years old
   • COnly people who rent a PWC for the day
   • DAnyone born before January 1, 1980
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993

   Texas requires boater education for people born on or after September 1, 1993, who operate a PWC, a motorboat over 15 hp or a sailboat over 14 feet.

2. Question 2 of 10

   Under Texas law, boater education is required for people born on or after September 1, 1993, to operate a motorboat of what size?

   • AMore than 5 horsepower
   • BAny motor at all
   • CMore than 15 horsepower
   • DMore than 50 horsepower
   Show answer

   Answer: C. More than 15 horsepower

   The requirement covers motorboats with more than 15 horsepower.

3. Question 3 of 10

   Under Texas law, boater education is required for people born on or after September 1, 1993, to operate a sailboat of what length?

   • AOver 8 feet
   • BOver 14 feet
   • COver 26 feet
   • DAny sailboat
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Over 14 feet

   The requirement covers sailboats over 14 feet, as well as PWCs and motorboats over 15 hp.

4. Question 4 of 10

   Under the Texas birth-date rule, does a person born in June 1990 have to complete boater education to operate a 150 hp boat?

   • AOnly if the boat is longer than 26 feet
   • BYes, because the boat is over 100 hp
   • CYes, everyone of any age must complete it
   • DNo, the rule starts with births on Sept. 1, 1993
   Show answer

   Answer: D. No, the rule starts with births on Sept. 1, 1993

   The Texas education requirement applies to people born on or after September 1, 1993.

5. Question 5 of 10

   Under the Texas rule, does a person born in 2000 need boater education to operate a 10 hp fishing boat?

   • AOnly if the boat has a cabin or toilet
   • BYes, any motorboat at all needs it
   • CNo, 10 hp is below the 15 hp threshold
   • DOnly on lakes, not on rivers or bays
   Show answer

   Answer: C. No, 10 hp is below the 15 hp threshold

   A 10 hp motorboat is below the 15 hp threshold, so the birth-date rule does not require the course for it.

6. Question 6 of 10

   Which agency runs boater education in Texas?

   • AU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
   • BTexas Department of Motor Vehicles
   • CTexas Department of Public Safety
   • DTexas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)

   TPWD runs the Texas Boater Education program and approves online and classroom courses.

7. Question 7 of 10

   How can you complete a Texas boater education course?

   • AThrough an approved online course or a classroom course
   • BOnly through a high school class
   • COnly by passing an on-water driving test with an examiner
   • DBy signing a form at a boat ramp
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Through an approved online course or a classroom course

   TPWD offers approved online courses and in-person classroom courses.

8. Question 8 of 10

   Which vessels are not required to be numbered in Texas?

   • AEvery personal watercraft, of any size
   • BAll motorboats that are under 20 feet long and used on lakes
   • CAny boat that is used only on weekends
   • DPaddled, poled, oared or windblown vessels under 14 feet
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Paddled, poled, oared or windblown vessels under 14 feet

   Texas Parks and Wildlife Code section 31.022 exempts vessels under 14 feet that are paddled, poled, oared or windblown from numbering.

9. Question 9 of 10

   Under Texas law, where must the certificate of number be kept?

   • AWith the boat dealer
   • BAt home, in a safe place where it cannot get wet
   • CAt the marina office
   • DOn board the vessel at all times
   Show answer

   Answer: D. On board the vessel at all times

   Texas law says the certificate of number must be carried on board the vessel at all times.

10. Question 10 of 10

    How must the registration number be displayed on a Texas boat?

    • AOn the stern only, in letters at least 1 inch high, any color
    • BInside the boat, next to the steering wheel
    • COn the license plate of the boat trailer
    • DBoth sides of the forward half, at least 3 inches high
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Both sides of the forward half, at least 3 inches high

    Texas Parks and Wildlife Code section 31.032 requires the number on each side of the forward half in block characters not less than 3 inches high.

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