Washington, DC Boating Safety Knowledge Quiz 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Your powerboat is approaching a vessel engaged in fishing with nets. What must you do?

   • AKeep out of its way
   • BSound five short blasts and continue
   • CHold your course; it must move for you
   • DPass close to look at its gear
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Keep out of its way

   A power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, which has nets or gear that limit its movement.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Under the federal rule, which children must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway?

   • AOnly children who cannot swim, of any age
   • BUnder 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin
   • CUnder 6, but only when the boat is out at night
   • DUnder 18, at all times when they are on board
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Under 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin

   The federal rule requires children under 13 to wear an approved life jacket while underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Why is sudden immersion in cold water so dangerous in the first minutes?

   • AYour body freezes solid within seconds
   • BCold water is much harder to float in
   • CLife jackets stop working in cold water
   • DCold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Cold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water

   Sudden immersion triggers a gasp reflex and fast breathing. Without a life jacket, you can inhale water and drown before hypothermia even starts.

6. Question 6 of 25

   You row a small rowboat after dark. What light do you need?

   • AA flashing blue light on the stern
   • BA white flashlight or lantern, ready to show
   • CNo light, because it has no motor
   • DA red light mounted on the bow
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A white flashlight or lantern, ready to show

   Vessels under oars may show sailing vessel lights, or must have a white flashlight or lantern ready to show.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What kind of numbers do green can buoys like this carry?

   • ANumbers ending in zero
   • BOdd numbers
   • CLetters only
   • DEven numbers
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Odd numbers

   Green lateral markers carry odd numbers. Red markers carry even numbers.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    On inland waters, what signal does a power-driven vessel sound when it leaves a dock or berth?

    • AOne short blast
    • BTwo prolonged blasts
    • COne prolonged blast
    • DFive short blasts
    Show answer

    Answer: C. One prolonged blast

    A power-driven vessel leaving a dock or berth sounds one prolonged blast.

12. Question 12 of 25

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

    • AOn your port (left) side
    • BOn either side
    • COnly on your left at night
    • DOn your starboard (right) side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On your starboard (right) side

    Remember "red, right, returning": keep red markers on your starboard side when returning from sea.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does this white marker with an open orange diamond mean?

    • ADanger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
    • BBoats may not enter the area
    • CA safe place to anchor overnight
    • DA speed limit applies here
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Danger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam

    An orange diamond warns of danger. The danger may be described in black letters on the marker.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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).

18. Question 18 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".

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Is it legal to tie your boat to a navigation buoy?

    • ANo, it is dangerous and illegal
    • BYes, if you stay less than an hour
    • CYes, if the buoy is green
    • DYes, but only in daylight
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No, it is dangerous and illegal

    Do not tie up to aids to navigation. It is dangerous and illegal, and it can hide the aid from other boaters.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which boats must also carry a throwable flotation device?

    • AOnly canoes and kayaks, of any length
    • BOnly boats over 40 feet used on the ocean
    • CAll boats of any length, including paddleboards
    • DBoats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks

    Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry one throwable device (Type IV).

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What is a "safe speed"?

    • AA speed that lets you stop or turn in time
    • BThe speed posted at the nearest launch ramp
    • CAny speed under 10 mph, in all conditions
    • DThe highest speed your boat can safely reach
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A speed that lets you stop or turn in time

    Safe speed depends on visibility, traffic, wind, waves and your boat. You must be able to avoid a collision and stop in time.

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