Colorado Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   What colors are used on regulatory and information markers?

   • ARed and white vertical stripes
   • BGreen with a wide red band in the middle
   • CBlack with one or more yellow bands
   • DWhite with orange bands at top and bottom
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   Answer: D. White with orange bands at top and bottom

   Regulatory and information markers are white with an orange band near the top and bottom. The orange shape shows the meaning.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Several people are in cold water wearing life jackets. How can they stay warmer?

   • ASpread out to be seen
   • BFloat on their backs far apart
   • CHuddle close together
   • DTake turns swimming laps
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Huddle close together

   The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for daytime use only?

   • AAn orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet
   • BA white all-round anchor light
   • CAn electric distress light
   • DA green flashlight, held up high
   Show answer

   Answer: A. An orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet

   An orange distress flag is a day signal. An electric distress light is a night signal.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How should the registration number be separated into groups?

   • AIt must be written as one long group
   • BWith a slash between letters and numbers
   • CWith a hyphen or a space the width of one letter
   • DWith periods between each character
   Show answer

   Answer: C. With a hyphen or a space the width of one letter

   Spaces or hyphens equal to the width of a letter (other than I) or number (other than 1) separate the groups.

5. Question 5 of 25

   You are leaving a harbor and heading out to sea. Where should red buoys like this be?

   • AOn your port (left) side
   • BIn the middle of your path
   • CIt does not matter
   • DOn your starboard (right) side
   Show answer

   Answer: A. On your port (left) side

   Red is kept on the right when returning, so when heading out to sea the red markers are on your left.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Who may use an inflatable life jacket to meet the carriage requirement?

   • AAnyone of any age
   • BOnly people who cannot swim
   • CPeople 16 years of age and older
   • DChildren under 13
   Show answer

   Answer: C. People 16 years of age and older

   Inflatable life jackets are approved only for people 16 and older.

7. Question 7 of 25

   You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this green buoy?

   • AOn your port (left) side
   • BOn your starboard (right) side
   • COn either side
   • DDirectly ahead of you
   Show answer

   Answer: A. On your port (left) side

   Green lateral markers mark the port side of the channel when you return from sea. Keep them on your left.

8. Question 8 of 25

   When is an operator NOT required to use the engine cut-off switch link?

   • AWhen there are passengers on board
   • BWhen the water is calm
   • CWhen the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin
   • DWhen the boat is going faster than 20 mph
   Show answer

   Answer: C. When the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin

   The requirement does not apply when the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin. It is also not needed at slow speeds such as docking or trolling.

9. Question 9 of 25

   A large ship can only operate safely inside a narrow channel. What must a small recreational boat do?

   • AHold course because small boats have right of way
   • BNot get in its way
   • CStop in the channel and wait
   • DCross in front of it to show its position
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Not get in its way

   Vessels under 20 meters (65.6 feet) and sailing vessels must not impede a vessel that can navigate safely only within a narrow channel.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How tall must the letters and numbers of the registration number be?

    • AAt least 12 inches, in any color
    • BAt least 6 inches, in script letters
    • CAt least 3 inches, in block characters
    • DAt least 1 inch, in any style
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 3 inches, in block characters

    The registration number must be in plain block characters at least 3 inches high, in a color that contrasts with the hull.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Under federal law, at what blood alcohol concentration is a recreational boat operator considered intoxicated?

    • A0.12 or higher
    • B0.02 or higher
    • C0.08 or higher
    • D0.15 or higher
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 0.08 or higher

    Operating a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher is a federal violation. States also have their own BUI laws.

12. Question 12 of 25

    A power-driven boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) may show which lights instead of a masthead light and sternlight?

    • AOne flashing yellow light at the bow
    • BIts sidelights only, with no white light
    • CTwo red all-round lights, one above the other
    • DAn all-round white light plus sidelights
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An all-round white light plus sidelights

    A power-driven vessel under 12 meters may combine its masthead light and sternlight into one all-round white light, shown with sidelights.

13. Question 13 of 25

    During the day, what shape does a vessel at anchor display?

    • ATwo red balls on the mast
    • BAn orange flag at the stern
    • CA black ball near the bow
    • DA black cone, point down
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A black ball near the bow

    An anchored vessel shows a black ball forward by day and an all-round white light at night. Vessels under 7 meters away from channels and anchorages are generally exempt.

14. Question 14 of 25

    A collision causes $3,000 in damage but no injuries. How soon must it be reported?

    • AWithin 10 days
    • BIt does not need to be reported
    • CWithin 2 hours
    • DWithin 48 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Within 10 days

    Accidents with damage only (of $2,000 or more) must be reported within 10 days.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What sound signal does a sailing vessel give in fog or other restricted visibility?

    • AOne prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less
    • BContinuous blasts on the horn until the fog lifts
    • COne short blast, repeated once every minute
    • DTwo prolonged blasts, at least every 2 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. One prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less

    A sailing vessel in restricted visibility sounds one prolonged and two short blasts at intervals of no more than 2 minutes.

16. Question 16 of 25

    During the day, a sailboat using its engine with its sails up should display what?

    • AA black cone with its point down
    • BAn orange flag on the mast
    • CA red pennant at the stern
    • DA black ball in the rigging
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A black cone with its point down

    A sailing vessel under power displays a cone, apex down, by day. It is not required for vessels under 12 meters on inland waters.

17. Question 17 of 25

    You see this marker with an orange circle and the number 10 inside. What does it tell you?

    • AA speed limit applies in the area
    • B10 boats may anchor here
    • CIt is buoy number 10 in the channel
    • DThe water is 10 feet deep
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A speed limit applies in the area

    A circle marks a controlled area. A number inside shows the speed limit that applies.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Two powerboats meet head-on. What should each operator do?

    • AThe larger boat holds course and the smaller turns
    • BTurn to port and pass starboard to starboard
    • CBoth stop and wait for the other to move
    • DTurn to starboard and pass port side to port side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Turn to starboard and pass port side to port side

    In a head-on meeting, each vessel alters course to starboard so they pass port to port.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Where should swimmers stay away from while a boat's engine or generator is running?

    • AThe shoreline and shallow water nearby
    • BThe bow, where the anchor is stored
    • CThe swim platform and the back of the boat
    • DThe anchor line at the front of the boat
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The swim platform and the back of the boat

    Exhaust gases with carbon monoxide collect near the stern and swim platform. Do not swim or sit there while engines or generators run.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does "not under command" mean in the Navigation Rules?

    • AA vessel with no licensed captain on board at the time
    • BA vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
    • CA vessel that is going faster than the posted speed limit
    • DA vessel that is anchored or tied to a mooring buoy
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure

    A vessel not under command cannot keep out of the way because of an exceptional circumstance. Other vessels, including sailboats, must keep clear of it.

21. Question 21 of 25

    How long should you run the blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?

    • AAt least 20 minutes
    • BOnly while the engine is cranking
    • CAbout 10 seconds
    • DAt least 4 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 4 minutes

    Boats with powered blowers carry a warning label: run the blower at least four minutes and check the bilge for gasoline vapors before starting.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What amount of property damage makes a boating accident reportable?

    • A$2,000 or more
    • B$10,000 or more
    • C$500 or more
    • D$200 or more
    Show answer

    Answer: A. $2,000 or more

    Accidents with damage to vessels and other property totaling $2,000 or more must be reported.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this buoy with red and white vertical stripes mark?

    • ASafe water, such as the middle of a channel
    • BA place where boats may not go
    • CA swimming area
    • DA wreck or rock to stay away from
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Safe water, such as the middle of a channel

    Safe water markers have red and white vertical stripes. They mark safe water all around, often a fairway or mid-channel.

24. Question 24 of 25

    At night you see a red and a green light straight ahead. What is happening?

    • AA vessel is heading straight toward you
    • BA vessel is moving away from you
    • CA vessel is anchored
    • DA buoy marks a channel
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A vessel is heading straight toward you

    Seeing both sidelights means the vessel is pointed at you. Treat it as a head-on meeting and turn to starboard.

25. Question 25 of 25

    In a narrow channel, which side should you keep to?

    • AThe starboard (right) side
    • BWhichever side has less traffic
    • CThe center of the channel
    • DThe port (left) side
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The starboard (right) side

    In a narrow channel, keep as near to the outer edge on your starboard side as is safe.

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