Sec. 31.110. EXEMPTION FROM BOATER EDUCATION COURSE REQUIREMENT; DEFERRAL PROGRAM. (a) A person is not required to comply with Section 31.109 if the person:
(1) holds a master's, mate's, or operator's license issued by the United States Coast Guard;
(2) is supervised by a person who is at least 18 years of age and who is otherwise exempt from the requirements of Section 31.109 or possesses a boater identification card as required by Section 31.109;
(3) is not a resident of this state and has proof that the person has successfully completed a boater education course or equivalency examination in another state that is approved by the department;
(4) is exempt by rule of the commission as a customer of a business engaged in renting, showing, demonstrating, or testing boats; or
(5) is exempt by rule of the commission.
(b) For purposes of this section, to be considered to be supervising the operator of a watercraft, the person must be on board the watercraft when under way.
(c) The commission by rule shall establish a boater education deferral program. The deferral program must be available at no cost to boat dealers, manufacturers, and distributors.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 269 (H.B. 1395), Sec. 4, eff. June 17, 2011.