Florida Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 6 for the Florida Boater Exam Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
Florida
135 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
At night you see a red and a green light straight ahead. What is happening?
- A vessel is heading straight toward you
- A vessel is moving away from you
- A vessel is anchored
- A buoy marks a channel
Show answer
Answer: A. A vessel is heading straight toward you
Seeing both sidelights means the vessel is pointed at you. Treat it as a head-on meeting and turn to starboard.
Question 2 of 25
Instead of a lanyard, what other type of engine cut-off device is approved?
- A warning sticker placed on the dashboard
- A loud alarm that sounds but does not stop the engine
- A rope tied between the helm and the ladder
- A 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.
Question 3 of 25
In this diagram, what color is the port sidelight (light 1)?
- Yellow
- White
- Green
- Red
Show answer
Answer: D. Red
The port sidelight is red and the starboard sidelight is green.
Question 4 of 25
Someone is injured and needs medical treatment beyond first aid. How soon must the written report be filed?
- Within 10 days
- Within 48 hours
- Within 30 days
- Within 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.
Question 5 of 25
Why is sudden immersion in cold water so dangerous in the first minutes?
- Your body freezes solid within seconds
- Cold water is much harder to float in
- Life jackets stop working in cold water
- Cold 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.
Question 6 of 25
A large ship can only operate safely inside a narrow channel. What must a small recreational boat do?
- Hold course because small boats have right of way
- Not get in its way
- Stop in the channel and wait
- Cross in front of it to show its position
Show answer
Answer: B. Not get in its way
Vessels under 20 meters (65.6 feet) and sailing vessels must not impede a vessel that can navigate safely only within a narrow channel.
Question 7 of 25
What does NASBLA stand for?
- North American Society of Boat Licensing Authorities
- National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
- National Alliance of Sailing and Boating Leagues
- National 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.
Question 8 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 9 of 25
Your boat is 70 feet long and has a toilet. Which marine sanitation device types may it use?
- No device is required
- Type I only
- Type I, II or III
- Type 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.
Question 10 of 25
Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for daytime use only?
- An orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet
- A white all-round anchor light
- An electric distress light
- A 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.
Question 11 of 25
What colors are used on regulatory and information markers?
- Red and white vertical stripes
- Green with a wide red band in the middle
- Black with one or more yellow bands
- White with orange bands at top and bottom
Show answer
Answer: D. White with orange bands at top and bottom
Regulatory and information markers are white with an orange band near the top and bottom. The orange shape shows the meaning.
Question 12 of 25
During the day, what shape does a vessel at anchor display?
- Two red balls on the mast
- An orange flag at the stern
- A black ball near the bow
- A 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.
Question 13 of 25
How many wearable life jackets must a recreational boat carry?
- One for every two people on board
- One approved life jacket for each person
- Two for the whole boat, of any size
- One for the operator only
Show answer
Answer: B. One approved life jacket for each person
Federal rules require one wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard.
Question 14 of 25
Boat A is overtaking boat B from behind. Which boat must keep clear?
- The smaller of the two boats
- Boat B, the boat being passed
- Boat A, the overtaking boat
- Whichever boat is closer to shore
Show answer
Answer: C. Boat A, the overtaking boat
In an overtaking situation, the overtaking vessel is the give-way vessel and must keep clear until it is past.
Question 15 of 25
Several people are in cold water wearing life jackets. How can they stay warmer?
- Spread out to be seen
- Float on their backs far apart
- Huddle close together
- Take turns swimming laps
Show answer
Answer: C. Huddle close together
The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.
Question 16 of 25
How should a give-way vessel act?
- By speeding up to cross in front
- Late, with a small turn at the last moment
- Early and with a large, obvious change of course or speed
- By sounding five short blasts and holding course
Show answer
Answer: C. Early and with a large, obvious change of course or speed
The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action so the other operator can clearly see what it is doing.
Question 17 of 25
Two sailboats meet with the wind on different sides. Which must keep clear?
- The boat with the wind on its port side
- The boat with the wind on its starboard side
- The larger sailboat
- The boat that is to leeward
Show answer
Answer: A. The boat with the wind on its port side
When sailing vessels have the wind on different sides, the one with the wind on its port side keeps out of the way.
Question 18 of 25
In fog, what signal does a power-driven vessel give while it is moving through the water?
- A bell rung once every 5 minutes
- Two short blasts every minute
- Three short blasts every 2 minutes
- One prolonged blast at least every 2 minutes
Show answer
Answer: D. One prolonged blast at least every 2 minutes
In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way sounds one prolonged blast at intervals of no more than 2 minutes.
Question 19 of 25
Boat B is crossing from boat A's starboard (right) side. Which boat is the give-way vessel?
- Boat A
- Whichever boat is faster
- Boat B
- Neither; both must stop
Show answer
Answer: A. Boat A
When two power-driven vessels cross, the one that has the other on its starboard side must keep out of the way. Boat A slows or turns right to pass behind B.
Question 20 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 21 of 25
Your flares expired last year. Do they count toward the requirement?
- Yes, for up to 5 years after expiry
- Yes, if they are kept dry
- No, expired pyrotechnics do not count
- Yes, 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.
Question 22 of 25
This marker shows a diamond with a cross and the words "SWIM AREA". What must boaters do?
- Keep it on your right when returning
- Keep out of the marked swimming area
- Anchor there to swim
- Slow down and pass through it
Show answer
Answer: B. Keep out of the marked swimming area
A diamond with a cross means boats keep out. Here it protects a swimming area.
Question 23 of 25
What is a "safe speed"?
- A speed that lets you stop or turn in time
- The speed posted at the nearest launch ramp
- Any speed under 10 mph, in all conditions
- The 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.
Question 24 of 25
Where does the state validation decal go?
- On the stern, right next to the motor
- Within 6 inches of the registration number
- Inside the glove box, with the papers
- On 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.
Question 25 of 25
On a regulatory marker, what does an orange square or rectangle mean?
- It gives information, such as directions
- Danger ahead, such as rocks
- Boats must keep out of the area
- A speed limit applies in the area
Show answer
Answer: A. It gives information, such as directions
Squares give information. Diamonds warn of danger, diamonds with a cross mean keep out, and circles mark controlled areas.

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