Boater Safety Exam Practice (US) 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 20

   Instead of a lanyard, what other type of engine cut-off device is approved?

   • AA warning sticker placed on the dashboard
   • BA loud alarm that sounds but does not stop the engine
   • CA rope tied between the helm and the ladder
   • DA wireless fob that stops the engine in water
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A wireless fob that stops the engine in water

   Wireless engine cut-off devices, worn by the operator, stop the engine when the fob goes into the water.

2. Question 2 of 20

   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.

3. Question 3 of 20

   You are in a No Discharge Zone. What must you do with your marine sanitation device?

   • ADischarge only sewage that has been treated
   • BRemove the toilet from the boat completely
   • CSecure it so it cannot discharge, such as with a padlock
   • DDischarge only at night when no one is swimming
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Secure it so it cannot discharge, such as with a padlock

   In a No Discharge Zone, no sewage may be discharged, and the device must be secured, such as with a padlocked valve or locked door.

4. Question 4 of 20

   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.

5. Question 5 of 20

   A 30-foot boat with an engine room must post which placard?

   • AAn oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches
   • BA speed limit sign for the nearest marina
   • CA placard listing the names of the crew
   • DA no-smoking sign, at least 2 by 3 inches
   Show answer

   Answer: A. An oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches

   Boats 26 feet or longer with a machinery space must post an oil discharge placard at least 5 by 8 inches in the machinery space or at the bilge pump station.

6. Question 6 of 20

   Which boats must display a garbage placard?

   • AOnly boats over 100 feet
   • BOnly sailboats
   • CAll boats of any size
   • DBoats 26 feet and longer
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Boats 26 feet and longer

   Vessels 26 feet or longer must display a garbage placard at least 4 by 9 inches in a prominent place.

7. Question 7 of 20

   Which kind of life jacket is the right choice for riding a personal watercraft?

   • AA non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use
   • BA throwable cushion held on your lap
   • CNo life jacket is needed on a PWC
   • DAn inflatable belt pack
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use

   Most inflatable life jackets are not approved for PWC use. Wear a properly sized, inherently buoyant life jacket meant for PWC riding.

8. Question 8 of 20

   Why is a personal watercraft operator's lanyard attached to their body or life jacket?

   • ASo the PWC can be anchored
   • BSo the engine stops if the rider falls off
   • CSo the lights turn on automatically
   • DSo the rider can tow a tube
   Show answer

   Answer: B. So the engine stops if the rider falls off

   If the rider falls off, the lanyard pulls the cut-off switch and the engine stops, so the PWC does not keep going without them.

9. Question 9 of 20

   What is true about carbon monoxide (CO) from boat engines?

   • AIt is safe outdoors on a boat
   • BIt only comes from diesel engines
   • CIt smells like gasoline, so it is easy to notice
   • DIt has no color or smell and can kill quickly
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It has no color or smell and can kill quickly

   Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. It can build up around a boat, especially near the stern and swim platform, while engines or generators run.

10. Question 10 of 20

    Where should swimmers stay away from while a boat's engine or generator is running?

    • AThe shoreline and shallow water nearby
    • BThe bow, where the anchor is stored
    • CThe swim platform and the back of the boat
    • DThe anchor line at the front of the boat
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The swim platform and the back of the boat

    Exhaust gases with carbon monoxide collect near the stern and swim platform. Do not swim or sit there while engines or generators run.

11. Question 11 of 20

    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.

12. Question 12 of 20

    You are alone in cold water wearing a life jacket and cannot climb out. What should you do?

    • ASplash and kick constantly to stay visible
    • BTake off your life jacket so you can move freely
    • CSwim hard in circles to keep your body warm
    • DFold your arms, cross your legs and float still
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Fold your arms, cross your legs and float still

    The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) reduces heat loss. Swim only if safety is very close.

13. Question 13 of 20

    Several people are in cold water wearing life jackets. How can they stay warmer?

    • ASpread out to be seen
    • BFloat on their backs far apart
    • CHuddle close together
    • DTake turns swimming laps
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Huddle close together

    The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.

14. Question 14 of 20

    What does NASBLA stand for?

    • ANorth American Society of Boat Licensing Authorities
    • BNational Association of State Boating Law Administrators
    • CNational Alliance of Sailing and Boating Leagues
    • DNational Agency for Safe Boating and Lifesaving Activities
    Show answer

    Answer: B. National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

    NASBLA is the national association of state boating law administrators. Most state boater education courses are NASBLA-approved.

15. Question 15 of 20

    Your boat meets the rules of the state where it is registered. Does it automatically meet the rules of every other state?

    • ANo. Another state may have different requirements
    • BYes, as long as it has federal equipment
    • CYes, all states have identical rules
    • DOnly if the boat is under 16 feet
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No. Another state may have different requirements

    Federal rules are the minimum. A boat that meets its home state's rules may not meet the rules of another state where it is used.

16. Question 16 of 20

    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.

17. Question 17 of 20

    A 70-foot (21-meter) boat must carry which sound-producing devices?

    • AA whistle, a bell and a gong
    • BA hand-held air horn only
    • CA whistle and a bell
    • DA whistle only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A whistle and a bell

    Vessels 20 meters or longer need a whistle and a bell. A gong is added at 100 meters or longer.

18. Question 18 of 20

    During the day, what shape does a vessel at anchor display?

    • ATwo red balls on the mast
    • BAn orange flag at the stern
    • CA black ball near the bow
    • DA black cone, point down
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A black ball near the bow

    An anchored vessel shows a black ball forward by day and an all-round white light at night. Vessels under 7 meters away from channels and anchorages are generally exempt.

19. Question 19 of 20

    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.

20. Question 20 of 20

    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.

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

The real test: No single national exam. Each state sets its own education rules and approves its courses and exams.