Arkansas Boater Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 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.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does an engine cut-off switch link do?

   • AStops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm
   • BLocks the steering wheel when you are not aboard
   • CTurns on the navigation lights automatically
   • DStarts the bilge blower before the engine starts
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm

   The lanyard links the operator to the switch. If the operator is thrown from the helm, the link pulls free and the engine shuts off.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What must every operator do at all times to avoid collisions?

   • ARely on other boats to see you
   • BWatch the radar only
   • CLook out only at night
   • DKeep a proper lookout by sight and hearing
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing

   Every vessel must keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing, and by all available means, at all times.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Where must recreational boats carry visual distress signals?

   • ACoastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas
   • BOnly on rivers that are wider than 1 mile
   • COnly on small inland lakes and ponds
   • DOnly within 1 mile of any shoreline
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Coastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas

   Visual distress signals are required on U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and connected waters up to where they become less than 2 nautical miles wide.

6. Question 6 of 25

   You approach a river bend where you cannot see around the corner. What signal should you sound on inland waters?

   • AFive short blasts
   • BTwo short blasts
   • COne prolonged blast
   • DThree short blasts
   Show answer

   Answer: C. One prolonged blast

   A vessel nearing a bend or obstructed area sounds one prolonged blast. Any vessel around the bend that hears it answers with a prolonged blast.

7. Question 7 of 25

   After a boating accident, what must the operator do?

   • AStop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID
   • BWait for the other boat to call for help first
   • CLeave quickly so the area is clear for rescuers
   • DOnly call a tow company to move the boats
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID

   Federal law requires an operator involved in a casualty to give assistance as far as possible without serious danger, and to give their name, address and vessel identification.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   For which activities does the Coast Guard recommend wearing a life jacket, and many states require it?

   • AOnly fishing from a dock or a pier
   • BOnly when the boat is anchored offshore
   • COnly boating after dark on large lakes
   • DWater skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding

   The Coast Guard recommends wearing a life jacket for high-risk activities like water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding, and many states require it.

10. Question 10 of 25

    You are towing a water-skier. What is the job of the observer on board?

    • ASteer the skier using only hand signals
    • BKeep other boats from coming close to watch
    • CWatch the skier and tell the operator what happens
    • DDrive the boat while the operator watches
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Watch the skier and tell the operator what happens

    The operator must watch where the boat is going, so a second person keeps a continuous eye on the skier and reports falls and signals.

11. Question 11 of 25

    On a Coast Guard documented vessel, how tall must the name and hailing port be?

    • AAny size that can be read
    • BAt least 12 inches
    • CAt least 1 inch
    • DAt least 4 inches
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 4 inches

    Documented vessels show their name and hailing port together on the hull in letters at least 4 inches high.

12. Question 12 of 25

    On a powerboat under 12 meters, how high must the all-round white light be above the sidelights?

    • AAt least 6 inches (15 cm)
    • BAt least 10 feet (3 meters)
    • CAt the same height as them
    • DAt least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 3.3 feet (1 meter)

    The masthead or all-round white light must be at least 3.3 feet higher than the sidelights.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A 22-foot outboard boat has a closed compartment where a portable fuel tank is stored. How many 5-B extinguishers does it need?

    • ATwo
    • BThree
    • CNone
    • DOne
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One

    Boats under 26 feet that need an extinguisher must carry one 5-B extinguisher (or none if a fixed system is installed in the machinery space).

14. Question 14 of 25

    Which feature means a boat must carry a fire extinguisher?

    • APermanently installed fuel tanks
    • BA swim ladder at the stern
    • CA locker for the anchor and line
    • DA canvas bimini top for shade
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Permanently installed fuel tanks

    Extinguishers are required on boats with features such as closed compartments where fuel tanks may be stored, permanently installed fuel tanks or closed living spaces.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Where does the state validation decal go?

    • AOn the stern, right next to the motor
    • BWithin 6 inches of the registration number
    • CInside the glove box, with the papers
    • DOn the boat trailer's left fender
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Within 6 inches of the registration number

    The validation decal goes within 6 inches of the registration number, with no other numbers or letters nearby.

18. Question 18 of 25

    A vessel flies this blue and white flag (code flag A). What does it mean?

    • AIt is towing a skier and needs extra room
    • BIt is for sale and you may come alongside
    • CIt has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
    • DIt is anchored for the night with no one aboard
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It has divers down and cannot easily maneuver

    When a vessel engaged in diving cannot show the normal shapes, it displays a rigid replica of code flag "A" at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) high.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    A 32-foot boat built in 2020 needs fire extinguishers. Which choice meets the requirement (with no fixed system)?

    • AOne 5-B extinguisher
    • BOne household 1-A unit
    • CThree 20-B extinguishers
    • DTwo 5-B, or one 20-B
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Two 5-B, or one 20-B

    Boats 26 feet to under 40 feet need two 5-B extinguishers. Because one 20-B can replace two 5-B extinguishers, one 20-B also meets the rule.

24. Question 24 of 25

    One 20-B fire extinguisher can replace how many required 5-B extinguishers?

    • ATwo
    • BFour
    • CThree
    • DOne
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Two

    One 20-B extinguisher may be carried in place of two required 5-B extinguishers.

25. Question 25 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".

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