Florida Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

Practice test 4 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
A collision causes $3,000 in damage but no injuries. How soon must it be reported?
- Within 10 days
- It does not need to be reported
- Within 2 hours
- Within 48 hours
Show answer
Answer: A. Within 10 days
Accidents with damage only (of $2,000 or more) must be reported within 10 days.
Question 2 of 25
What must a boat 12 meters (39.4 feet) or longer carry for sound signals?
- A referee whistle for the operator
- A small hand bell kept at the helm
- A whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile
- Nothing beyond a working VHF radio
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Answer: C. A whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile
Vessels 12 meters or longer need a whistle (horn) audible for 1/2 nautical mile. Vessels 20 meters or longer also need a bell.
Question 3 of 25
This white buoy with a blue band is a mooring buoy. What is it for?
- Warning of a hidden rock
- Marking the right side of a channel
- Marking a no-wake zone
- Tying up or securing a boat
Show answer
Answer: D. Tying up or securing a boat
Mooring buoys are white with a horizontal blue band. They are made for boats to tie up to.
Question 4 of 25
Which vessels are exempt from carrying day visual distress signals?
- Any boat that has a working VHF radio
- Boats with inboard gasoline engines
- Manually propelled boats, such as canoes
- All boats over 26 feet with a cabin
Show answer
Answer: C. Manually propelled boats, such as canoes
Manually propelled boats, boats under 16 feet, open sailboats under 26 feet without propulsion, and boats in organized events are exempt from day signals.
Question 5 of 25
What does this white marker with an orange diamond and a cross inside mean?
- Swimmers may not enter
- Boats keep out of the area
- Slow down to 5 mph
- Information about a nearby marina
Show answer
Answer: B. Boats keep out of the area
A diamond with a cross marks an exclusion area. Boats must keep out, for example near dams or swimming areas.
Question 6 of 25
What kind of numbers do green can buoys like this carry?
- Numbers ending in zero
- Odd numbers
- Letters only
- Even numbers
Show answer
Answer: B. Odd numbers
Green lateral markers carry odd numbers. Red markers carry even numbers.
Question 7 of 25
You approach a river bend where you cannot see around the corner. What signal should you sound on inland waters?
- Five short blasts
- Two short blasts
- One prolonged blast
- Three short blasts
Show answer
Answer: C. One prolonged blast
A vessel nearing a bend or obstructed area sounds one prolonged blast. Any vessel around the bend that hears it answers with a prolonged blast.
Question 8 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 9 of 25
After a boating accident, what must the operator do?
- Stop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID
- Wait for the other boat to call for help first
- Leave quickly so the area is clear for rescuers
- Only 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.
Question 10 of 25
You are alone in cold water wearing a life jacket and cannot climb out. What should you do?
- Splash and kick constantly to stay visible
- Take off your life jacket so you can move freely
- Swim hard in circles to keep your body warm
- Fold your arms, cross your legs and float still
Show answer
Answer: D. Fold your arms, cross your legs and float still
The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) reduces heat loss. Swim only if safety is very close.
Question 11 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 12 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 13 of 25
What must every operator do at all times to avoid collisions?
- Rely on other boats to see you
- Watch the radar only
- Look out only at night
- Keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing
Show answer
Answer: D. Keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing
Every vessel must keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing, and by all available means, at all times.
Question 14 of 25
How can you tell that you are on a collision course with another boat?
- Its compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer
- It is moving slower than you
- Its bearing changes quickly as it approaches
- It 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.
Question 15 of 25
What amount of property damage makes a boating accident reportable?
- $2,000 or more
- $10,000 or more
- $500 or more
- $200 or more
Show answer
Answer: A. $2,000 or more
Accidents with damage to vessels and other property totaling $2,000 or more must be reported.
Question 16 of 25
For which activities does the Coast Guard recommend wearing a life jacket, and many states require it?
- Only fishing from a dock or a pier
- Only when the boat is anchored offshore
- Only boating after dark on large lakes
- Water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding
Show answer
Answer: D. Water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding
The Coast Guard recommends wearing a life jacket for high-risk activities like water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding, and many states require it.
Question 17 of 25
What do three short blasts mean?
- "I am operating astern propulsion"
- "I am turning to starboard now"
- "Please pass me on either side"
- "I need fuel or other help"
Show answer
Answer: A. "I am operating astern propulsion"
Three short blasts mean the vessel is operating astern propulsion, such as backing its engines.
Question 18 of 25
How old can a disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher be and still count?
- There is no age limit if it is full
- No more than 20 years from purchase
- No more than 5 years from manufacture
- No 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.
Question 19 of 25
During the day, a sailboat using its engine with its sails up should display what?
- A black cone with its point down
- An orange flag on the mast
- A red pennant at the stern
- A black ball in the rigging
Show answer
Answer: A. A black cone with its point down
A sailing vessel under power displays a cone, apex down, by day. It is not required for vessels under 12 meters on inland waters.
Question 20 of 25
What does this white marker with an open orange diamond mean?
- Danger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
- Boats may not enter the area
- A safe place to anchor overnight
- A speed limit applies here
Show answer
Answer: A. Danger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
An orange diamond warns of danger. The danger may be described in black letters on the marker.
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
Since April 20, 2022, which fire extinguisher ratings meet carriage requirements on all recreational boats?
- Class D only, for metal fires
- 1-A only, for wood and paper
- Any household extinguisher
- 5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C
Show answer
Answer: D. 5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C
Extinguishers rated 5-B (for example 5-B:C or 10-B:C) or larger meet the carriage requirements for all recreational vessels.
Question 23 of 25
What should the stand-on vessel do in a crossing situation?
- Keep its course and speed
- Speed up to get clear faster
- Stop its engine right away
- Turn toward the other boat
Show answer
Answer: A. Keep its course and speed
The stand-on vessel holds its course and speed so the give-way vessel can predict its path.
Question 24 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 25 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.

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