Boater Safety Exam Practice (US) 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   How long should you run the blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?

   • AAt least 20 minutes
   • BOnly while the engine is cranking
   • CAbout 10 seconds
   • DAt least 4 minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: D. At least 4 minutes

   Boats with powered blowers carry a warning label: run the blower at least four minutes and check the bilge for gasoline vapors before starting.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which compartments need a powered exhaust blower?

   • AOnly compartments used to store life jackets and lines
   • BThose with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor
   • CEvery compartment on every boat, of any kind
   • DOnly cabins that have a toilet or a sink
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Those with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor

   A powered blower is required for compartments with a permanently installed gasoline engine that has a cranking motor for remote starting.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which engines must have a Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrester?

   • ADiesel engines only
   • BGasoline inboard engines
   • CElectric trolling motors
   • DAll outboard motors
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Gasoline inboard engines

   Gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, must have an approved backfire flame control device.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What sound-producing device must a boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) carry?

   • AA bell and a gong mounted on deck
   • BA siren, like those used on police boats
   • CNothing; shouting loudly is enough
   • DAn efficient sound device, such as a horn or whistle
   Show answer

   Answer: D. An efficient sound device, such as a horn or whistle

   Boats under 12 meters must carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a hand-held air horn or a whistle. A human voice is not acceptable.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   If you use pyrotechnic signals to meet the requirement, how many must you carry?

   • ASix signals for night use only
   • BThree for day use and three for night use
   • CTen signals of any type, day or night
   • DOne for day use and one for night use
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Three for day use and three for night use

   Carry at least three day and three night signals. Combination day/night flares can count toward both.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Your flares expired last year. Do they count toward the requirement?

   • AYes, for up to 5 years after expiry
   • BYes, if they are kept dry
   • CNo, expired pyrotechnics do not count
   • DYes, but only at night
   Show answer

   Answer: C. No, expired pyrotechnics do not count

   Pyrotechnic signals must be in date. Expired signals do not meet the requirement.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for nighttime use only?

    • AA red pennant
    • BAn orange smoke signal
    • CAn electric distress light
    • DAn orange distress flag
    Show answer

    Answer: C. An electric distress light

    An electric distress light meets the night requirement. An orange flag only counts during the day.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Your boat is 14 feet long and you are on coastal waters. Which visual distress signals are required?

    • ADay and night signals at all times on the water
    • BNo signals at any time, because it is under 16 feet
    • CDay signals only, when out between sunrise and sunset
    • DNight signals, when out between sunset and sunrise
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Night signals, when out between sunset and sunrise

    Boats under 16 feet are exempt from day signal requirements but must carry night signals when operating from sunset to sunrise.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What is the maximum federal criminal penalty for boating under the influence?

    • AA written warning, with no fine
    • BUp to $5,000, one year in prison, or both
    • CLoss of your car driver license only
    • DA fine of up to $50 and a short class
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both

    Federal BUI penalties include a civil penalty of up to $1,000, or a criminal penalty of up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Which boating accident must be reported to the state?

    • AOne where someone needs more than first aid
    • BA scratch to the hull that costs $100 to fix
    • CAny time a fishing line breaks on a snag
    • DAny time a boat runs out of fuel on the water
    Show answer

    Answer: A. One where someone needs more than first aid

    A report is required for a death, a disappearance, an injury needing more than first aid, damage of $2,000 or more, or the complete loss of a boat.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What amount of property damage makes a boating accident reportable?

    • A$2,000 or more
    • B$10,000 or more
    • C$500 or more
    • D$200 or more
    Show answer

    Answer: A. $2,000 or more

    Accidents with damage to vessels and other property totaling $2,000 or more must be reported.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    A collision causes $3,000 in damage but no injuries. How soon must it be reported?

    • AWithin 10 days
    • BIt does not need to be reported
    • CWithin 2 hours
    • DWithin 48 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Within 10 days

    Accidents with damage only (of $2,000 or more) must be reported within 10 days.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

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