Florida Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

Practice test 5 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
Another vessel sounds at least five short, rapid blasts. What does it mean?
- It agrees with your plan and will hold its course
- It is about to anchor in the middle of the channel
- It is greeting you and inviting you to pass
- It doubts your intentions or your action to avoid a collision
Show answer
Answer: D. It doubts your intentions or your action to avoid a collision
Five or more short, rapid blasts is the doubt or danger signal. Slow down and make your intentions clear.
Question 2 of 25
Where should swimmers stay away from while a boat's engine or generator is running?
- The shoreline and shallow water nearby
- The bow, where the anchor is stored
- The swim platform and the back of the boat
- The anchor line at the front of the boat
Show answer
Answer: C. The swim platform and the back of the boat
Exhaust gases with carbon monoxide collect near the stern and swim platform. Do not swim or sit there while engines or generators run.
Question 3 of 25
If you use pyrotechnic signals to meet the requirement, how many must you carry?
- Six signals for night use only
- Three for day use and three for night use
- Ten signals of any type, day or night
- One for day use and one for night use
Show answer
Answer: B. Three for day use and three for night use
Carry at least three day and three night signals. Combination day/night flares can count toward both.
Question 4 of 25
When must the operator of a covered boat use the engine cut-off switch link?
- Only when towing a skier or a tube
- When on plane or above displacement speed
- Only when docking at a marina or ramp
- Only when operating after dark
Show answer
Answer: B. When on plane or above displacement speed
Since April 1, 2021, operators of covered boats must use the engine cut-off switch link when running on plane or above displacement speed.
Question 5 of 25
What does "not under command" mean in the Navigation Rules?
- A vessel with no licensed captain on board at the time
- A vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
- A vessel that is going faster than the posted speed limit
- A vessel that is anchored or tied to a mooring buoy
Show answer
Answer: B. A vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
A vessel not under command cannot keep out of the way because of an exceptional circumstance. Other vessels, including sailboats, must keep clear of it.
Question 6 of 25
Older B-I and B-II extinguishers are still accepted on which boats?
- All boats, of any model year
- Only boats built in 2018 or later
- Boats built in model year 2017 or earlier
- Only personal watercraft of any year
Show answer
Answer: C. Boats built in model year 2017 or earlier
Coast Guard B-I and B-II extinguishers are acceptable only on vessels built in model year 2017 or earlier.
Question 7 of 25
You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this green buoy?
- On your port (left) side
- On your starboard (right) side
- On either side
- Directly ahead of you
Show answer
Answer: A. On your port (left) side
Green lateral markers mark the port side of the channel when you return from sea. Keep them on your left.
Question 8 of 25
Your boat is 40 feet long and you operate on U.S. inland waters. What document must you keep on board?
- A copy of the boat's insurance policy
- A copy of the Navigation Rules
- A map of every state you will visit
- A list of marinas with fuel
Show answer
Answer: B. A copy of the Navigation Rules
Operators of vessels 12 meters (39.4 feet) or longer must keep a copy of the Navigation Rules on board on inland waters.
Question 9 of 25
A sailboat is motoring with its engine and its sails are down. How is it treated under the Navigation Rules?
- As a power-driven vessel
- As a vessel not under command
- As a sailing vessel
- As a vessel at anchor
Show answer
Answer: A. As a power-driven vessel
A sailboat using its engine is a power-driven vessel and follows the power-driven rules.
Question 10 of 25
Under federal law, at what blood alcohol concentration is a recreational boat operator considered intoxicated?
- 0.12 or higher
- 0.02 or higher
- 0.08 or higher
- 0.15 or higher
Show answer
Answer: C. 0.08 or higher
Operating a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher is a federal violation. States also have their own BUI laws.
Question 11 of 25
Where must the registration number be displayed on a numbered boat?
- Inside the cabin, near the helm
- On each side of the forward half of the boat
- On the windshield, facing forward
- On the transom only, below the motor
Show answer
Answer: B. On each side of the forward half of the boat
Registration numbers go on both sides of the forward half of the hull, reading left to right.
Question 12 of 25
You see this marker with an orange circle and the number 10 inside. What does it tell you?
- A speed limit applies in the area
- 10 boats may anchor here
- It is buoy number 10 in the channel
- The water is 10 feet deep
Show answer
Answer: A. A speed limit applies in the area
A circle marks a controlled area. A number inside shows the speed limit that applies.
Question 13 of 25
A vessel flies this blue and white flag (code flag A). What does it mean?
- It is towing a skier and needs extra room
- It is for sale and you may come alongside
- It has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
- It is anchored for the night with no one aboard
Show answer
Answer: C. It has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
When a vessel engaged in diving cannot show the normal shapes, it displays a rigid replica of code flag "A" at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) high.
Question 14 of 25
A sailboat under sail (A) and a powerboat (B) are on crossing courses. Which one is the give-way vessel?
- The boat on the left
- The sailboat, A
- The powerboat, B
- The boat that is moving faster
Show answer
Answer: C. The powerboat, B
A power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of a sailing vessel, unless the sailboat is overtaking it.
Question 15 of 25
On a powerboat under 12 meters, how high must the all-round white light be above the sidelights?
- At least 6 inches (15 cm)
- At least 10 feet (3 meters)
- At the same height as them
- At least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
Show answer
Answer: D. At least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
The masthead or all-round white light must be at least 3.3 feet higher than the sidelights.
Question 16 of 25
Which boats must also carry a throwable flotation device?
- Only canoes and kayaks, of any length
- Only boats over 40 feet used on the ocean
- All boats of any length, including paddleboards
- Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks
Show answer
Answer: D. Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks
Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry one throwable device (Type IV).
Question 17 of 25
In a narrow channel, which side should you keep to?
- The starboard (right) side
- Whichever side has less traffic
- The center of the channel
- The port (left) side
Show answer
Answer: A. The starboard (right) side
In a narrow channel, keep as near to the outer edge on your starboard side as is safe.
Question 18 of 25
A 70-foot (21-meter) boat must carry which sound-producing devices?
- A whistle, a bell and a gong
- A hand-held air horn only
- A whistle and a bell
- A whistle only
Show answer
Answer: C. A whistle and a bell
Vessels 20 meters or longer need a whistle and a bell. A gong is added at 100 meters or longer.
Question 19 of 25
Which boats are covered by the federal engine cut-off switch law?
- Only sailboats that have an outboard motor
- Only commercial fishing boats of any size
- Recreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more
- All recreational boats over 40 feet long
Show answer
Answer: C. Recreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more
The law covers recreational vessels under 26 feet with engines that make 115 pounds of static thrust (about 3 hp) or more.
Question 20 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 21 of 25
Which boating accident must be reported to the state?
- One where someone needs more than first aid
- A scratch to the hull that costs $100 to fix
- Any time a fishing line breaks on a snag
- Any time a boat runs out of fuel on the water
Show answer
Answer: A. One where someone needs more than first aid
A report is required for a death, a disappearance, an injury needing more than first aid, damage of $2,000 or more, or the complete loss of a boat.
Question 22 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 23 of 25
What sound signal does a sailing vessel give in fog or other restricted visibility?
- One prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less
- Continuous blasts on the horn until the fog lifts
- One short blast, repeated once every minute
- Two prolonged blasts, at least every 2 minutes
Show answer
Answer: A. One prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less
A sailing vessel in restricted visibility sounds one prolonged and two short blasts at intervals of no more than 2 minutes.
Question 24 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 25 of 25
A 22-foot outboard boat has a closed compartment where a portable fuel tank is stored. How many 5-B extinguishers does it need?
- Two
- Three
- None
- One
Show answer
Answer: D. One
Boats under 26 feet that need an extinguisher must carry one 5-B extinguisher (or none if a fixed system is installed in the machinery space).

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