Boater Safety Exam Practice (US) 2026: Practice test 3

Practice test 3 of 5 for the Boater Safety Exam Practice (US): 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
United States
120 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
What colors are used on regulatory and information markers?
- Red and white vertical stripes
- Green with a wide red band in the middle
- Black with one or more yellow bands
- White with orange bands at top and bottom
Show answer
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.
Question 2 of 25
On a regulatory marker, what does an orange square or rectangle mean?
- It gives information, such as directions
- Danger ahead, such as rocks
- Boats must keep out of the area
- A speed limit applies in the area
Show answer
Answer: A. It gives information, such as directions
Squares give information. Diamonds warn of danger, diamonds with a cross mean keep out, and circles mark controlled areas.
Question 3 of 25
This white buoy with a blue band is a mooring buoy. What is it for?
- Warning of a hidden rock
- Marking the right side of a channel
- Marking a no-wake zone
- Tying 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.
Question 4 of 25
Is it legal to tie your boat to a navigation buoy?
- No, it is dangerous and illegal
- Yes, if you stay less than an hour
- Yes, if the buoy is green
- Yes, 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.
Question 5 of 25
You see this red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does it mean?
- The beach ahead is private property
- Shallow water ahead; boats should turn back
- Divers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
- A water-ski course is set up in this area
Show answer
Answer: C. Divers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
The diver-down flag marks an area where people are diving. State laws set how far away boats must stay.
Question 6 of 25
A vessel flies this blue and white flag (code flag A). What does it mean?
- It is towing a skier and needs extra room
- It is for sale and you may come alongside
- It has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
- It 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.
Question 7 of 25
Where must the registration number be displayed on a numbered boat?
- Inside the cabin, near the helm
- On each side of the forward half of the boat
- On the windshield, facing forward
- On the transom only, below the motor
Show answer
Answer: B. On each side of the forward half of the boat
Registration numbers go on both sides of the forward half of the hull, reading left to right.
Question 8 of 25
How tall must the letters and numbers of the registration number be?
- At least 12 inches, in any color
- At least 6 inches, in script letters
- At least 3 inches, in block characters
- At 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.
Question 9 of 25
Where does the state validation decal go?
- On the stern, right next to the motor
- Within 6 inches of the registration number
- Inside the glove box, with the papers
- On 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.
Question 10 of 25
How should the registration number be separated into groups?
- It must be written as one long group
- With a slash between letters and numbers
- With a hyphen or a space the width of one letter
- With 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.
Question 11 of 25
On a Coast Guard documented vessel, how tall must the name and hailing port be?
- Any size that can be read
- At least 12 inches
- At least 1 inch
- At 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.
Question 12 of 25
How many wearable life jackets must a recreational boat carry?
- One for every two people on board
- One approved life jacket for each person
- Two for the whole boat, of any size
- One for the operator only
Show answer
Answer: B. One approved life jacket for each person
Federal rules require one wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard.
Question 13 of 25
Which boats must also carry a throwable flotation device?
- Only canoes and kayaks, of any length
- Only boats over 40 feet used on the ocean
- All boats of any length, including paddleboards
- Boats 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).
Question 14 of 25
Under the federal rule, which children must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway?
- Only children who cannot swim, of any age
- Under 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin
- Under 6, but only when the boat is out at night
- Under 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.
Question 15 of 25
Your state has a different child life jacket age than the federal rule. Which rule applies on that state's waters?
- The federal rule always
- The state rule
- Whichever age is higher
- Neither; you may choose
Show answer
Answer: B. The state rule
Where a state sets its own child life jacket requirement, the state rule applies on waters under that state's jurisdiction.
Question 16 of 25
Who may use an inflatable life jacket to meet the carriage requirement?
- Anyone of any age
- Only people who cannot swim
- People 16 years of age and older
- Children under 13
Show answer
Answer: C. People 16 years of age and older
Inflatable life jackets are approved only for people 16 and older.
Question 17 of 25
A friend lifts your life jacket at the shoulders and it stays below your chin. What does this show?
- It fits properly
- It is the wrong color
- It is too loose
- It needs to be inflated
Show answer
Answer: A. It fits properly
A properly fitted life jacket stays in place when lifted at the shoulders. If it rides up over your chin or ears, it is too loose.
Question 18 of 25
For which activities does the Coast Guard recommend wearing a life jacket, and many states require it?
- Only fishing from a dock or a pier
- Only when the boat is anchored offshore
- Only boating after dark on large lakes
- Water 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.
Question 19 of 25
Since April 20, 2022, which fire extinguisher ratings meet carriage requirements on all recreational boats?
- Class D only, for metal fires
- 1-A only, for wood and paper
- Any household extinguisher
- 5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C
Show answer
Answer: D. 5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C
Extinguishers rated 5-B (for example 5-B:C or 10-B:C) or larger meet the carriage requirements for all recreational vessels.
Question 20 of 25
One 20-B fire extinguisher can replace how many required 5-B extinguishers?
- Two
- Four
- Three
- One
Show answer
Answer: A. Two
One 20-B extinguisher may be carried in place of two required 5-B extinguishers.
Question 21 of 25
Older B-I and B-II extinguishers are still accepted on which boats?
- All boats, of any model year
- Only boats built in 2018 or later
- Boats built in model year 2017 or earlier
- Only 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.
Question 22 of 25
How old can a disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher be and still count?
- There is no age limit if it is full
- No more than 20 years from purchase
- No more than 5 years from manufacture
- No more than 12 years from manufacture
Show answer
Answer: D. No more than 12 years from manufacture
Disposable extinguishers must be removed from service 12 years after the date stamped on the bottle, on December 31 of the 12th year.
Question 23 of 25
Which check is part of keeping a fire extinguisher "good and serviceable"?
- The gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
- The extinguisher has been tested by using it once
- The label has been removed so it fits the bracket
- The nozzle is taped shut to keep out dirt
Show answer
Answer: A. The gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
A serviceable extinguisher has its gauge in the operable range, its lock pin in place, a clear nozzle and no serious corrosion or damage.
Question 24 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?
- Two
- Three
- None
- One
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).
Question 25 of 25
Which feature means a boat must carry a fire extinguisher?
- Permanently installed fuel tanks
- A swim ladder at the stern
- A locker for the anchor and line
- A 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.

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