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Delaware Boater Exam Practice Test 2026

Delaware requires people born on or after January 1, 1978, to complete a state-approved boating safety course before operating a motorized boat, including a PWC. Practice test 1 covers Delaware law; the other sets cover the national rules taught in every approved course.

  • Boating
  • Delaware
  • 142 questions
  • Checked
  • Edited by A. Singh
  • Fact-checked October 17, 2026

Quick answer

It is run by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish and Wildlife. Practise here for free with 142 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 17, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the Delaware Boating Safety Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.
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  1. Question 1 of 22

    Who must complete a boating safety course before operating a motorized boat in Delaware?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. People born on or after January 1, 1978

    Delaware requires people born on or after January 1, 1978, to complete an approved course before operating a motorized boat, including a PWC.

  2. Question 2 of 22

    You were born in 1975. Does Delaware's boating education law require you to take a course?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No, the law covers people born on or after January 1, 1978

    The birth-date rule in Title 23, Section 2221 starts with people born on or after January 1, 1978. A course is still a good idea.

  3. Question 3 of 22

    Does Delaware's education requirement include personal watercraft (PWC) operators?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Yes, it covers motorized boats including PWCs

    DNREC says the course requirement covers motorized boats, including personal watercraft.

  4. Question 4 of 22

    Which out-of-state boating certificates does Delaware accept?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Certificates issued by any state and approved by NASBLA

    Section 2221 accepts a boating safety certificate issued by any state if it is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

  5. Question 5 of 22

    When must you have your Delaware boating safety certificate with you?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At all times while operating a vessel in Delaware

    Section 2221 says you must keep the certificate with you at all times while operating a vessel or recreational boat in Delaware.

  6. Question 6 of 22

    Who may ask to see your Delaware boating safety certificate?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A Fish and Wildlife Agent or other law enforcement officer

    You must show your certificate on demand to a Fish and Wildlife Agent or other law enforcement officer.

  7. Question 7 of 22

    Which of these people is exempt from Delaware's boating safety course requirement?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A holder of a valid U.S. Coast Guard captain's license

    Section 2222 exempts people who hold a valid Coast Guard captain's license, and holders of a Delaware River and Bay pilot's license or equivalent.

  8. Question 8 of 22

    How long is a Delaware boating safety certificate valid?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. For the holder's lifetime

    Under Section 2224, the certificate is valid for life and cannot be revoked by the department or a court.

  9. Question 9 of 22

    By law, how long may a Delaware state boating safety course be?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No more than 6 classes or 12 hours in total

    Section 2223 says a department course may not require more than 6 classes or more than 12 hours in total.

  10. Question 10 of 22

    You lost your Delaware boater safety card. What does DNREC suggest?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Use the DNREC Boater Safety Card website to see your profile, classes and cards

    DNREC's Boater Safety Card website lets you log in and access your classes and your cards.

  11. Question 11 of 22

    Can you take the Delaware boating safety course online?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Yes, DNREC lists several state-approved online versions

    DNREC offers classroom courses across the state and lists several online versions approved by Delaware.

  12. Question 12 of 22

    Which children must wear a life jacket on a recreational boat on Delaware waters?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Children 12 and under

    Section 2202 requires every child 12 or under on a recreational boat to wear a properly sized Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

  13. Question 13 of 22

    When does Delaware's child life jacket rule NOT apply?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. When the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin, or the boat is anchored or moored

    The rule does not apply to a child below deck or in an enclosed cabin, or while the boat is anchored or moored.

  14. Question 14 of 22

    What is the youngest age at which a person may operate a PWC in Delaware?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 14, with direct supervision by a parent or legal guardian

    DNREC says PWC operators must be at least 14. Section 2212 allows 14- and 15-year-olds to operate only under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian.

  15. Question 15 of 22

    At what age may a Delaware PWC operator ride without supervision?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 16

    Section 2212 lets people 16 or older operate a PWC without supervision. DNREC notes they still need their boating safety certificate.

  16. Question 16 of 22

    Who must wear a life jacket on a personal watercraft in Delaware?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Everyone operating or riding on it

    Section 2212 requires every person operating or riding on a PWC to wear an approved life jacket.

  17. Question 17 of 22

    What speed must a PWC use inside or at the entrance to a Delaware marina or anchorage?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Headway speed

    Section 2212 requires headway speed within or at the entrance to a marina or anchorage.

  18. Question 18 of 22

    To go faster than headway speed on most Delaware waters, how far must a PWC stay from people in the water?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least 300 feet

    Section 2212 requires at least 300 feet from people in the water, plus at least 100 feet from docks, piers and launch areas on most waters (300 feet on the ocean and in Inland Bays near towns).

  19. Question 19 of 22

    Under Delaware's PWC law, how close is too close when jumping another vessel's wake?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Within 100 feet of that vessel

    Jumping or trying to jump the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of it is listed as an unsafe maneuver.

  20. Question 20 of 22

    A Delaware PWC is towing a tuber. Who must be on board?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A competent observer, besides the operator, facing the person being towed

    Section 2212 requires a competent observer facing the people being towed, and the PWC must be built to carry everyone.

  21. Question 21 of 22

    What must a person have to rent a PWC in Delaware?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A valid automobile driver's license

    Section 2213 says no one may rent a PWC to a person who does not hold a valid automobile driver's license.

  22. Question 22 of 22

    How must a rental PWC be marked in Delaware?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. With the word "rental" in a way that is easy to see

    Rental PWCs must be conspicuously marked with the word "rental".

What to know before the test

  • People born on or after January 1, 1978, must complete an approved boating safety course before operating a motorized boat, including a PWC.
  • DNREC offers classroom courses across the state and lists several state-approved online versions.
  • You must carry your certificate at all times while operating and show it to an officer on demand.
  • The certificate is valid for life. Certificates from other states that are NASBLA-approved are accepted.
  • PWC operators must be at least 14. Operators aged 14 and 15 need direct supervision by a parent or legal guardian.
  • Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket on a recreational boat, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin, or while anchored or moored.

Frequently asked questions

Who needs a boating license in Delaware?

Delaware does not issue a boating license as such. People born on or after January 1, 1978, need a boating safety certificate from an approved course to operate a motorized boat.

Does the Delaware boating certificate expire?

No. Under state law it is valid for the holder's lifetime.

How old do you have to be to drive a jet ski in Delaware?

At least 14, with direct supervision by a parent or legal guardian until 16. Operators born on or after January 1, 1978, also need a boating safety certificate.

Does Delaware accept boating cards from other states?

Yes, if another state issued the certificate and it is approved by NASBLA.

Who runs boating education in Delaware?

DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife, through its Office of Boating Safety and Education.

Sources

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