Florida Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which compartments need a powered exhaust blower?

   • AOnly compartments used to store life jackets and lines
   • BThose with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor
   • CEvery compartment on every boat, of any kind
   • DOnly cabins that have a toilet or a sink
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Those with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor

   A powered blower is required for compartments with a permanently installed gasoline engine that has a cranking motor for remote starting.

3. Question 3 of 25

   You row a small rowboat after dark. What light do you need?

   • AA flashing blue light on the stern
   • BA white flashlight or lantern, ready to show
   • CNo light, because it has no motor
   • DA 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   When is an operator NOT required to use the engine cut-off switch link?

   • AWhen there are passengers on board
   • BWhen the water is calm
   • CWhen the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin
   • DWhen the boat is going faster than 20 mph
   Show answer

   Answer: C. When the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin

   The requirement does not apply when the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin. It is also not needed at slow speeds such as docking or trolling.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Two vessels agree by VHF radio how they will pass each other. Do they still have to sound whistle signals?

   • ANo, and sounding them would be illegal
   • BNo, but they may
   • CYes, always, before and after passing
   • DYes, 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   On inland waters, you want to overtake a power-driven vessel and pass on its starboard side. What signal do you give?

   • ATwo short blasts
   • BOne short blast
   • COne prolonged blast
   • DThree short blasts
   Show answer

   Answer: B. One short blast

   Inland, one short blast means "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side". Two short blasts mean "on your port side".

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    You are the stand-on vessel, but the give-way vessel is not taking action and a collision is near. What must you do?

    • ATurn off your engine and drift
    • BSound one prolonged blast and keep going
    • CTake action to avoid the collision
    • DHold course and speed no matter what
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Take action to avoid the collision

    The stand-on vessel must take the best action to avoid collision when the give-way vessel alone can no longer prevent it.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How tall must the letters and numbers of the registration number be?

    • AAt least 12 inches, in any color
    • BAt least 6 inches, in script letters
    • CAt least 3 inches, in block characters
    • DAt 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What sound-producing device must a boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) carry?

    • AA bell and a gong mounted on deck
    • BA siren, like those used on police boats
    • CNothing; shouting loudly is enough
    • DAn efficient sound device, such as a horn or whistle
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An efficient sound device, such as a horn or whistle

    Boats under 12 meters must carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a hand-held air horn or a whistle. A human voice is not acceptable.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this red buoy?

    • AOn your port (left) side
    • BOn either side
    • COnly on your left at night
    • DOn your starboard (right) side
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On your starboard (right) side

    Remember "red, right, returning": keep red markers on your starboard side when returning from sea.

14. Question 14 of 25

    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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    How often should you inspect your fire extinguishers?

    • AEvery 5 years
    • BMonthly
    • CNever, if the seal is intact
    • DOnly after a fire
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Monthly

    Inspect extinguishers monthly. If the label lists a minimum weight, weigh them once a year.

16. Question 16 of 25

    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.

17. Question 17 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".

18. Question 18 of 25

    Is it legal to tie your boat to a navigation buoy?

    • ANo, it is dangerous and illegal
    • BYes, if you stay less than an hour
    • CYes, if the buoy is green
    • DYes, but only in daylight
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No, it is dangerous and illegal

    Do not tie up to aids to navigation. It is dangerous and illegal, and it can hide the aid from other boaters.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for nighttime use only?

    • AA red pennant
    • BAn orange smoke signal
    • CAn electric distress light
    • DAn 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    How long should you run the blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?

    • AAt least 20 minutes
    • BOnly while the engine is cranking
    • CAbout 10 seconds
    • DAt 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A power-driven boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) may show which lights instead of a masthead light and sternlight?

    • AOne flashing yellow light at the bow
    • BIts sidelights only, with no white light
    • CTwo red all-round lights, one above the other
    • DAn all-round white light plus sidelights
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An all-round white light plus sidelights

    A power-driven vessel under 12 meters may combine its masthead light and sternlight into one all-round white light, shown with sidelights.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    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.

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