Rules For Operating A Jet Ski In Texas

While you don’t necessarily need a drivers license in Texas, some companies which rent jet skis may require a license to operate their watercraft.  Here are some resources from the State which goes into more details about personal watercraft:

https://tpwd.texas.gov/faq/learning/boater_education/

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating/personal-watercraft

Here is some information from the second resource listed above:

Operational Rules for Personal Watercraft

All operational rules for regular motorboats also apply to PWC. In addition to those requirements, it is unlawful for any person to:

• Operate PWC at night (sunset until sunrise).
• Operate PWC within 50 feet of another PWC, motorboat, vessel, platform, person, object, or shore except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake. Headway speed is a slow, idle speed, or speed only fast enough to maintain steerage.
• Operate a PWC and jump the wake of another vessel recklessly or unnecessarily close.

Note: Children under 13 are specifically prohibited from operating a PWC unless accompanied on board by a person at least 18 years of age who can lawfully operate the PWC.