Boater Education Card Exam (NASBLA-approved boating safety course)
State law (TX): practice questions
Our Boater Education Card (U.S.) bank has 24 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1 · Texas
Which navigation rules apply on Texas public waters?
- The U.S. Coast Guard Inland Rules
- Only the International Rules
- No rules apply on lakes
- Texas has its own unique rules of the road
Show the answer
A. The U.S. Coast Guard Inland Rules — Parks and Wildlife Code 31.093: the U.S. Coast Guard Inland Rules apply to all public water of the state.
Question 2 · Texas
Under Texas law, a 'diver down' flag is:
- Red with a white diagonal stripe, at least 15 by 15 inches
- Blue and white, at least 1 meter high
- Orange, at least 12 by 12 inches
- Yellow with a black ball
Show the answer
A. Red with a white diagonal stripe, at least 15 by 15 inches — Parks and Wildlife Code 31.1021(f): a square or rectangular red flag at least 15 inches by 15 inches with a diagonal white stripe.
Question 3 · Texas
In Texas, children under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway on a motorboat of what length?
- Any length
- Less than 26 feet
- Less than 16 feet
- More than 26 feet
Show the answer
B. Less than 26 feet — Parks and Wildlife Code 31.066(b): the operator of a motorboat less than 26 feet, while underway, must require every passenger under 13 to wear a wearable PFD.
Question 4 · Texas
In Texas, within how many feet of a diver-down flag must you slow to the minimum speed needed for steerage?
- 150 feet
- 500 feet
- 50 feet
- 100 feet
Show the answer
A. 150 feet — Parks and Wildlife Code 31.1021(b): no faster than the minimum speed to maintain steerageway and headway within 150 feet of a diver-down flag.
Question 5 · Texas
In Texas, a PWC may not be operated faster than headway speed within how many feet of another vessel, person, platform or shore?
- 200 feet
- 50 feet
- 10 feet
- 100 feet
Show the answer
B. 50 feet — Parks and Wildlife Code 31.106(a)(4): not within 50 feet of any other vessel, person, stationary platform, object or shore except at headway speed.