In Texas, the regulations regarding personal watercraft (PWC) operation, including jet skis, by minors are as follows…
- Age Requirements
- A person must be at least 13 years old to legally operate a PWC (jet ski) in Texas.
- Boater Education Requirements
- Anyone born on or after September 1, 1993, must complete a boater education course approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to legally operate a vessel with a motor of more than 15 horsepower, including PWCs.
- There is no minimum age requirement to take the course, but the person must be old enough to pass the course and the exam.
- Supervision
- If a person under 13 wants to operate a PWC, they must be directly supervised by someone on board who is at least 18 and meets the boater education requirements if they were born on or after September 1, 1993.
- Enforcement
- Law enforcement officers can enforce these regulations and may ask for proof of boater education certification and age.
Based on these regulations, a 12-year-old cannot legally operate a jet ski or any other personal watercraft in Texas waters. They must be at least 13 years old and meet the boater education requirements to operate a PWC independently. Minors and their parents or guardians must understand and adhere to these rules to ensure safety and compliance with state boating laws.
