I am wondering how old do you have to be to operate a boat with a motor on it by yourself

Mandatory Boater Education
A TPWD certified boater education course and photo I.D. is required for any person born on or after September 1, 1984 to operate (1) a vessel powered by motor of 10 horsepower or more; or (2) a windblown vessel over 14 feet in length.

**Boater Education courses from other states are acceptable if NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) approved.

Exceptions: A person is exempt from the mandatory boater education requirement if the person (1) is at least 18 years of age; (2) is accompanied by a person at least 18 years of age who is exempt from the course or who has completed the course; (3) holds a master's, mate's, or operators license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard; or (4) is otherwise exempt by rule of the department.

A person adjudged guilty of one of the following operating violations: (1) any personal watercraft operating violation, (2) reckless or negligent operation, (3) excessive speed, (4) reckless operation and excessive speed, (5) hazardous wake or wash, (6) circular course around fisherman or swimmer, (7) interference with markers or ramps, (8) obstructing passage, (9) operating boats in restricted areas, (10) operating vessels in scuba diving or snorkeling areas, (11) skiing during illegal hours or in a manner that endangers life or property, shall be required to successfully complete an approved boater education course AND pay a fine. Failure to complete the boater education course within 90 days will result in the person committing an offense that is a Parks and Wildlife Class A misdemeanor.

This is from TPWD website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/pwd_br_l2000_0001/index.phtml

how do i take the class thing

I'm glad somebody posted this because I lost my boaters safety card a loooong time ago, and when I clicked on that link I saw I could order a replacement! Thanks!

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/boater_education/
Use this link. At the top left of the page is a link that says "class Schedule by city" Or date. Click on one of these and there will be a list of avaialble classes.

If you wanted you could take the online course (linked on the above page). I had to take the student course before I could be certified as an instructor. I took the online course, you have a study guide, practice test, and then sign in to take the certification test. You have to score 80% on the online test to pass (70% passes the face to face class). After you pass the test you can print a temp certification card until TPWD sends one.

thanks and do you know where i could get a book or something about it

Here are some online resources for you to choose from.

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/courses.htm

Several (if not all) of them are NASBLA approved

ok thanks and i am only 13 so could i operate a boat alone

Yes, provided you have passed a NASBLA approved Boater Safety Course.

ok thanks

Take the online one not the class. I looked over the guide and the test took about 45 minutes. Had my certificate faxed to me that night and went fishin with a buddie on the boat the next morning.

I just read the "Ran Over on Hubbard" post above. Does the TPWD have a central phone number a person can call to report unsafe driving by another boater? I know that here in Colorado, the State Patrol office has a centralized number you can call to report a drunk or otherwise unsafe driver on the highway. It works because they send out a message to any officer working the area to be on the lookout for the offender. Seems like the same type of thing would work on the lakes.

I was told by TPWD to use the same number as Operation Game Thief to report unsafe operation of a vessel. 1-800-792-4263