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Queensland Boat Licence Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

Practice test 3 of 3 for the Queensland Boat Licence Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

  • Boating
  • Queensland
  • 90 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Which buoyage system is used in Australian waters?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. IALA System A

    Australia uses IALA System A, the same system as the UK and Europe. Red marks are on the port (left) side when you travel in the direction of buoyage.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What does one short blast on the horn mean?
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    Answer: D. I am altering my course to starboard

    One short blast (about one second) means 'I am altering my course to starboard'.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    You are boating in fog. What should you do?
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    Answer: D. Slow to a safe speed, keep a sharp lookout and make the correct sound signals

    In restricted visibility, every vessel must go at a safe speed for the conditions and make the sound signals in the collision rules.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    Why should you attach the engine kill switch lanyard to yourself when driving?
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    Answer: D. So the engine stops if you fall overboard or are thrown from the helm

    If the driver falls out, the lanyard pulls the switch and stops the engine, so the boat does not run on without a driver.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    You see a vessel whose crew are slowly raising and lowering their outstretched arms. What does this mean?
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    Answer: D. They are in distress and need help

    Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering outstretched arms is a recognised distress signal. Go to help if you can do so safely.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    When are you treated as overtaking another vessel?
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    Answer: B. When you come up from more than 22.5 degrees behind its beam

    You are overtaking if you approach from more than 22.5 degrees abaft (behind) its beam. At night you would see only its white sternlight.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    At night you see a white masthead light with both a red and a green sidelight straight ahead. What is happening?
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    Answer: B. A power-driven vessel is heading straight towards you

    Seeing both sidelights and a masthead light means a power vessel is coming head-on. Both vessels should turn to starboard.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    What colour is a vessel's sternlight?
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    Answer: A. White

    The sternlight is white and shines backwards over the stern.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    You are in a kayak or rowing boat at night. What light must you have?
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    Answer: C. A white torch or lantern ready to show in time to prevent a collision

    A vessel under oars may show the lights of a sailing vessel, but if not it must have a white torch or lantern ready to show in time.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    What colour light may a port-hand lateral mark show at night in Australia?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Red

    Under IALA A, port-hand marks are red and, if lit, show a red light.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    Two power-driven vessels are crossing. Which one must give way?
    AB
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The one that has the other vessel on its own starboard (right) side

    In a crossing situation, the vessel that has the other on its starboard side keeps out of the way and should avoid crossing ahead of it.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    At night you can see only a single white light ahead, and you are closing on it. What could it be?
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    Answer: B. The sternlight of a vessel you are overtaking

    A single white light ahead may be the sternlight of a slower vessel. If you are overtaking it, you must keep clear.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    What shape does a vessel at anchor show in the daytime?
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    Answer: D. One black ball in the forward part of the vessel

    By day, a vessel at anchor shows a black ball where it can best be seen in the fore part.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Which VHF marine radio channel is the international distress and calling channel?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Channel 16

    VHF channel 16 is monitored for distress, urgency and safety calls.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    When does an orange smoke flare work best?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In daylight

    Orange smoke flares are day signals. Red handheld flares can be seen by day and night.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    A power boat and a sailing vessel under sail alone are on courses that could collide. Normally, who gives way?
    AB
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The power boat

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

  17. Question 17 of 25

    What is the Australian Builders Plate on a recreational boat for?
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    Answer: B. It shows the boat's safe limits, such as the maximum number of people and load

    Recreational boats of a prescribed class supplied after 1 July 2012 must carry an Australian Builders Plate. It shows the maximum number of people, load and engine power.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Where is the safest water when you see this mark?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. To the east of the mark

    This is an east cardinal mark: the cones point away from each other (base to base), black with a yellow band. Pass to the east.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    What colour is the sidelight on a vessel's port (left) side?
    112.5°112.5°135°225°1234
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    Answer: C. Red

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

  20. Question 20 of 25

    What does this mark tell you?
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    Answer: A. There is a small, isolated danger with safe water all around it

    An isolated danger mark is black with red bands and has two black balls on top. It sits on or above a danger such as a rock. Do not pass too close.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    A lit cardinal mark shows white flashes in groups of three. Which cardinal mark is it?
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    Answer: B. East

    Cardinal lights follow a clock face: east flashes 3 times (3 o'clock), south 6 plus a long flash, west 9, and north flashes without a break.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    A yacht is using its engine with the sails up. How is it treated under the collision rules?
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    Answer: A. As a power-driven vessel

    Any vessel propelled by machinery counts as power-driven, even if its sails are also set.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    You are heading into a harbour, in the direction of buoyage. Which side of your boat should this mark be on?
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    Answer: D. On your port (left) side

    This is a red port-hand mark. Under IALA A, keep red marks on your port side when entering a harbour or going upstream.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    Which lifejacket level gives a high level of buoyancy and keeps the wearer in a safe floating position?
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    Answer: C. Level 100 or above

    Level 100 and above lifejackets give a high level of buoyancy and keep you floating safely. Level 50 types are for active watersports and will not support your head.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    Where is the safest water when you see this mark?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. To the south of the mark

    This is a south cardinal mark: both cones point down and it is yellow above black. Pass to the south of it.

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