Colorado Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does this white marker with an orange circle mean?

   • AA controlled area; here, no wake
   • BDanger from rocks right below
   • CBoats must keep out of the area
   • DDirections to a nearby marina
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A controlled area; here, no wake

   An orange circle marks a controlled area, such as a no-wake or speed-limit zone. The rule is written inside the circle.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does a yellow buoy like this tell you?

   • ADanger: rocks are right below the buoy
   • BIt marks a special area, not a channel side
   • CThere is safe water all around it
   • DKeep it on your right when returning
   Show answer

   Answer: B. It marks a special area, not a channel side

   Special marks are yellow. They point out a special area or feature and are not lateral channel markers.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does this black buoy with a red band and two black balls on top mean?

   • AThe center of a safe channel or fairway
   • BAn isolated danger with safe water around it
   • CA mooring area where boats may tie up
   • DThe start of a no-wake zone near shore
   Show answer

   Answer: B. An isolated danger with safe water around it

   Isolated danger marks are placed on or near a danger, such as a rock, that has navigable water around it. Do not pass close.

4. Question 4 of 25

   When must the operator of a covered boat use the engine cut-off switch link?

   • AOnly when towing a skier or a tube
   • BWhen on plane or above displacement speed
   • COnly when docking at a marina or ramp
   • DOnly when operating after dark
   Show answer

   Answer: B. When on plane or above displacement speed

   Since April 1, 2021, operators of covered boats must use the engine cut-off switch link when running on plane or above displacement speed.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How should a give-way vessel act?

   • ABy speeding up to cross in front
   • BLate, with a small turn at the last moment
   • CEarly and with a large, obvious change of course or speed
   • DBy sounding five short blasts and holding course
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   Answer: C. Early and with a large, obvious change of course or speed

   The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action so the other operator can clearly see what it is doing.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Older B-I and B-II extinguishers are still accepted on which boats?

   • AAll boats, of any model year
   • BOnly boats built in 2018 or later
   • CBoats built in model year 2017 or earlier
   • DOnly personal watercraft of any year
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Boats built in model year 2017 or earlier

   Coast Guard B-I and B-II extinguishers are acceptable only on vessels built in model year 2017 or earlier.

7. Question 7 of 25

   At night you see another boat's red sidelight on your starboard side. What should you do?

   • AHold course, since you are the stand-on boat
   • BSpeed up to cross in front of it quickly
   • CGive way, because it is crossing from your right
   • DTurn off your lights so you do not confuse it
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Give way, because it is crossing from your right

   A red light on your right means a boat is crossing from your starboard side. You are the give-way vessel.

8. Question 8 of 25

   When must recreational boats show navigation lights?

   • AOnly when other boats are close by
   • BFrom sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility
   • COnly on nights when there is no moon
   • DOnly on the ocean, not on lakes or rivers
   Show answer

   Answer: B. From sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility

   Navigation lights are required between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which vessels are exempt from carrying day visual distress signals?

   • AAny boat that has a working VHF radio
   • BBoats with inboard gasoline engines
   • CManually propelled boats, such as canoes
   • DAll boats over 26 feet with a cabin
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Manually propelled boats, such as canoes

   Manually propelled boats, boats under 16 feet, open sailboats under 26 feet without propulsion, and boats in organized events are exempt from day signals.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Your boat is 70 feet long and has a toilet. Which marine sanitation device types may it use?

    • ANo device is required
    • BType I only
    • CType I, II or III
    • DType II or Type III
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Type II or Type III

    Vessels 65 feet and under may use a Type I, II or III device. Vessels over 65 feet must use Type II or III.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Why is a personal watercraft operator's lanyard attached to their body or life jacket?

    • ASo the PWC can be anchored
    • BSo the engine stops if the rider falls off
    • CSo the lights turn on automatically
    • DSo the rider can tow a tube
    Show answer

    Answer: B. So the engine stops if the rider falls off

    If the rider falls off, the lanyard pulls the cut-off switch and the engine stops, so the PWC does not keep going without them.

12. Question 12 of 25

    In this diagram, what color is the port sidelight (light 1)?

    • AYellow
    • BWhite
    • CGreen
    • DRed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Red

    The port sidelight is red and the starboard sidelight is green.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A person goes missing from your boat. Who must you notify right away?

    • AThe nearest state boating authority
    • BThe company that built your boat
    • CNobody until the written report is due
    • DYour insurance company only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The nearest state boating authority

    For a death or a missing person, notify the nearest state boating authority immediately, then file the written report.

14. Question 14 of 25

    How often should you inspect your fire extinguishers?

    • AEvery 5 years
    • BMonthly
    • CNever, if the seal is intact
    • DOnly after a fire
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Monthly

    Inspect extinguishers monthly. If the label lists a minimum weight, weigh them once a year.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Where can you legally throw plastic overboard?

    • AMore than 12 miles from shore
    • BNowhere
    • CMore than 3 miles from shore
    • DOnly in rivers
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Nowhere

    Discharging plastic into the water is prohibited everywhere.

16. Question 16 of 25

    On inland waters, you want to overtake a power-driven vessel and pass on its starboard side. What signal do you give?

    • ATwo short blasts
    • BOne short blast
    • COne prolonged blast
    • DThree short blasts
    Show answer

    Answer: B. One short blast

    Inland, one short blast means "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side". Two short blasts mean "on your port side".

17. Question 17 of 25

    You are the stand-on vessel, but the give-way vessel is not taking action and a collision is near. What must you do?

    • ATurn off your engine and drift
    • BSound one prolonged blast and keep going
    • CTake action to avoid the collision
    • DHold course and speed no matter what
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Take action to avoid the collision

    The stand-on vessel must take the best action to avoid collision when the give-way vessel alone can no longer prevent it.

18. Question 18 of 25

    How can you tell that you are on a collision course with another boat?

    • AIts compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer
    • BIt is moving slower than you
    • CIts bearing changes quickly as it approaches
    • DIt is showing only a white light
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Its compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer

    If an approaching vessel's bearing does not change much while the distance closes, a risk of collision exists.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What should the stand-on vessel do in a crossing situation?

    • AKeep its course and speed
    • BSpeed up to get clear faster
    • CStop its engine right away
    • DTurn toward the other boat
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep its course and speed

    The stand-on vessel holds its course and speed so the give-way vessel can predict its path.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What must a boat 12 meters (39.4 feet) or longer carry for sound signals?

    • AA referee whistle for the operator
    • BA small hand bell kept at the helm
    • CA whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile
    • DNothing beyond a working VHF radio
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile

    Vessels 12 meters or longer need a whistle (horn) audible for 1/2 nautical mile. Vessels 20 meters or longer also need a bell.

21. Question 21 of 25

    On inland waters, what do two short blasts mean when two power-driven vessels meet or cross in sight of each other?

    • A"I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    • B"I intend to leave you on my port side"
    • C"I am leaving the dock"
    • D"I am anchored"
    Show answer

    Answer: A. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"

    Under Inland Rule 34, two short blasts mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard side".

22. Question 22 of 25

    Someone is injured and needs medical treatment beyond first aid. How soon must the written report be filed?

    • AWithin 10 days
    • BWithin 48 hours
    • CWithin 30 days
    • DWithin one year
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Within 48 hours

    Reports are due within 48 hours for a death within 24 hours, an injury beyond first aid, or a disappearance. Other reportable accidents must be reported within 10 days.

23. Question 23 of 25

    A sailboat under sail (A) and a powerboat (B) are on crossing courses. Which one is the give-way vessel?

    • AThe boat on the left
    • BThe sailboat, A
    • CThe powerboat, B
    • DThe boat that is moving faster
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The powerboat, B

    A power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of a sailing vessel, unless the sailboat is overtaking it.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Which boats are covered by the federal engine cut-off switch law?

    • AOnly sailboats that have an outboard motor
    • BOnly commercial fishing boats of any size
    • CRecreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more
    • DAll recreational boats over 40 feet long
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Recreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more

    The law covers recreational vessels under 26 feet with engines that make 115 pounds of static thrust (about 3 hp) or more.

25. Question 25 of 25

    This white buoy with a blue band is a mooring buoy. What is it for?

    • AWarning of a hidden rock
    • BMarking the right side of a channel
    • CMarking a no-wake zone
    • DTying up or securing a boat
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Tying up or securing a boat

    Mooring buoys are white with a horizontal blue band. They are made for boats to tie up to.

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