California Boater Card Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

Practice test 4 of 6 for the California Boater Card Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
California
132 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
What does this white marker with an orange circle mean?
- A controlled area; here, no wake
- Danger from rocks right below
- Boats must keep out of the area
- Directions to a nearby marina
Show answer
Answer: A. A controlled area; here, no wake
An orange circle marks a controlled area, such as a no-wake or speed-limit zone. The rule is written inside the circle.
Question 2 of 25
Light 4 in the diagram is the white sternlight. How wide is its arc?
- 225 degrees, toward the front
- 360 degrees, all around
- 112.5 degrees, on one side
- 135 degrees, toward the back
Show answer
Answer: D. 135 degrees, toward the back
The sternlight shines over 135 degrees behind the boat. The masthead light covers 225 degrees forward.
Question 3 of 25
How long should you run the blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?
- At least 20 minutes
- Only while the engine is cranking
- About 10 seconds
- At 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.
Question 4 of 25
Which kind of life jacket is the right choice for riding a personal watercraft?
- A non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use
- A throwable cushion held on your lap
- No life jacket is needed on a PWC
- An 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.
Question 5 of 25
Two vessels agree by VHF radio how they will pass each other. Do they still have to sound whistle signals?
- No, and sounding them would be illegal
- No, but they may
- Yes, always, before and after passing
- Yes, but only at night
Show answer
Answer: B. No, but they may
Vessels that reach agreement by radio do not have to sound the whistle signals. If they cannot agree, whistle signals must be exchanged and they prevail.
Question 6 of 25
What does this black buoy with a red band and two black balls on top mean?
- The center of a safe channel or fairway
- An isolated danger with safe water around it
- A mooring area where boats may tie up
- The start of a no-wake zone near shore
Show answer
Answer: B. An isolated danger with safe water around it
Isolated danger marks are placed on or near a danger, such as a rock, that has navigable water around it. Do not pass close.
Question 7 of 25
Which engines must have a Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrester?
- Diesel engines only
- Gasoline inboard engines
- Electric trolling motors
- All 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.
Question 8 of 25
Your powerboat is approaching a vessel engaged in fishing with nets. What must you do?
- Keep out of its way
- Sound five short blasts and continue
- Hold your course; it must move for you
- Pass close to look at its gear
Show answer
Answer: A. Keep out of its way
A power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, which has nets or gear that limit its movement.
Question 9 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 10 of 25
What kind of numbers do red nun buoys like this carry?
- Odd numbers
- Even numbers
- Letters only
- No numbers
Show answer
Answer: B. Even numbers
Red lateral markers carry even numbers, and the numbers increase as you head in from sea.
Question 11 of 25
A vessel overtaking you on inland waters signals its plan, and you agree. What do you do?
- Turn toward the overtaking boat
- Sound five short blasts
- Do nothing; silence means yes
- Sound the same signal back
Show answer
Answer: D. Sound the same signal back
The vessel being overtaken answers with the same signal if it agrees. If it is unsure, it sounds the danger signal of at least five short blasts.
Question 12 of 25
A 30-foot boat with an engine room must post which placard?
- An oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches
- A speed limit sign for the nearest marina
- A placard listing the names of the crew
- A 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.
Question 13 of 25
You are towing a water-skier. What is the job of the observer on board?
- Steer the skier using only hand signals
- Keep other boats from coming close to watch
- Watch the skier and tell the operator what happens
- Drive 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.
Question 14 of 25
Where can you legally throw plastic overboard?
- More than 12 miles from shore
- Nowhere
- More than 3 miles from shore
- Only in rivers
Show answer
Answer: B. Nowhere
Discharging plastic into the water is prohibited everywhere.
Question 15 of 25
Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for nighttime use only?
- A red pennant
- An orange smoke signal
- An electric distress light
- An 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.
Question 16 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 17 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 18 of 25
How often should you inspect your fire extinguishers?
- Every 5 years
- Monthly
- Never, if the seal is intact
- Only after a fire
Show answer
Answer: B. Monthly
Inspect extinguishers monthly. If the label lists a minimum weight, weigh them once a year.
Question 19 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 20 of 25
You are leaving a harbor and heading out to sea. Where should red buoys like this be?
- On your port (left) side
- In the middle of your path
- It does not matter
- On your starboard (right) side
Show answer
Answer: A. On your port (left) side
Red is kept on the right when returning, so when heading out to sea the red markers are on your left.
Question 21 of 25
On inland waters, a power-driven vessel meeting you sounds one short blast. What does it mean?
- "I am operating astern propulsion"
- "I am in distress"
- "I intend to leave you on my port side"
- "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
Show answer
Answer: C. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
Under Inland Rule 34, one short blast means "I intend to leave you on my port side". If you agree, answer with one short blast.
Question 22 of 25
Where must recreational boats carry visual distress signals?
- Coastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas
- Only on rivers that are wider than 1 mile
- Only on small inland lakes and ponds
- Only 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.
Question 23 of 25
What does an engine cut-off switch link do?
- Stops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm
- Locks the steering wheel when you are not aboard
- Turns on the navigation lights automatically
- Starts 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.
Question 24 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 25 of 25
You row a small rowboat after dark. What light do you need?
- A flashing blue light on the stern
- A white flashlight or lantern, ready to show
- No light, because it has no motor
- A red light mounted on the bow
Show answer
Answer: B. A white flashlight or lantern, ready to show
Vessels under oars may show sailing vessel lights, or must have a white flashlight or lantern ready to show.

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