California Boater Card Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 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).

2. Question 2 of 25

   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.

3. Question 3 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   You see this red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does it mean?

   • AThe beach ahead is private property
   • BShallow water ahead; boats should turn back
   • CDivers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
   • DA 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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".

8. Question 8 of 25

   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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    In this diagram, what color is the port sidelight (light 1)?

    • AYellow
    • BWhite
    • CGreen
    • DRed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Red

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

11. Question 11 of 25

    Which check is part of keeping a fire extinguisher "good and serviceable"?

    • AThe gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
    • BThe extinguisher has been tested by using it once
    • CThe label has been removed so it fits the bracket
    • DThe 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    On a Coast Guard documented vessel, how tall must the name and hailing port be?

    • AAny size that can be read
    • BAt least 12 inches
    • CAt least 1 inch
    • DAt 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.

14. Question 14 of 25

    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 25

    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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Two powerboats meet head-on. What should each operator do?

    • AThe larger boat holds course and the smaller turns
    • BTurn to port and pass starboard to starboard
    • CBoth stop and wait for the other to move
    • DTurn to starboard and pass port side to port side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Turn to starboard and pass port side to port side

    In a head-on meeting, each vessel alters course to starboard so they pass port to port.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does a yellow buoy like this tell you?

    • ADanger: rocks are right below the buoy
    • BIt marks a special area, not a channel side
    • CThere is safe water all around it
    • DKeep it on your right when returning
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It marks a special area, not a channel side

    Special marks are yellow. They point out a special area or feature and are not lateral channel markers.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Another vessel sounds at least five short, rapid blasts. What does it mean?

    • AIt agrees with your plan and will hold its course
    • BIt is about to anchor in the middle of the channel
    • CIt is greeting you and inviting you to pass
    • DIt doubts your intentions or your action to avoid a collision
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It doubts your intentions or your action to avoid a collision

    Five or more short, rapid blasts is the doubt or danger signal. Slow down and make your intentions clear.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Where must the registration number be displayed on a numbered boat?

    • AInside the cabin, near the helm
    • BOn each side of the forward half of the boat
    • COn the windshield, facing forward
    • DOn 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.

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

    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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    How old can a disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher be and still count?

    • AThere is no age limit if it is full
    • BNo more than 20 years from purchase
    • CNo more than 5 years from manufacture
    • DNo 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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