Life Jacket Laws

All boats, including human-powered craft, must be equipped with one Type I, II, III or V wearable life jacket for each person on board. A Type V life jacket is only acceptable if it is used in accordance with the specific label instructions.

Children’s Life Jacket Laws

In Texas, passengers 13 years of age and under are required to wear a Coast Guard-approved, Type I, II, III or V life jacket while on board any boat that is under 26 feet in length while the boat is underway (unless the boat is moored, anchored or aground). This law also applies to human-powered craft.

Personal Watercraft Life Jacket Laws

Any person riding on or being towed by a PWC is required to wear a Coast Guard-approved Type I, II or III or V life jacket at all times.

Note: One Type V life jacket may be substituted for any other Type if it is approved by the Coast Guard for the activity it is being used for. Type V life jackets may not be substituted on children that weigh less than 90 lbs. 

Texas’ Muffler and Noise Level Laws

Motorized boats in Texas are required to have a factory-type muffler or an exhaust water manifold installed on the engine.