New York Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   What is the maximum federal criminal penalty for boating under the influence?

   • AA written warning, with no fine
   • BUp to $5,000, one year in prison, or both
   • CLoss of your car driver license only
   • DA fine of up to $50 and a short class
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both

   Federal BUI penalties include a civil penalty of up to $1,000, or a criminal penalty of up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both.

2. Question 2 of 25

   In a narrow channel, which side should you keep to?

   • AThe starboard (right) side
   • BWhichever side has less traffic
   • CThe center of the channel
   • DThe 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.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does this white marker with an orange diamond and a cross inside mean?

   • ASwimmers may not enter
   • BBoats keep out of the area
   • CSlow down to 5 mph
   • DInformation 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does "not under command" mean in the Navigation Rules?

   • AA vessel with no licensed captain on board at the time
   • BA vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
   • CA vessel that is going faster than the posted speed limit
   • DA 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

   You are towing a water-skier. What is the job of the observer on board?

   • ASteer the skier using only hand signals
   • BKeep other boats from coming close to watch
   • CWatch the skier and tell the operator what happens
   • DDrive 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.

7. Question 7 of 25

   How can you tell that you are on a collision course with another boat?

   • AIts compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer
   • BIt is moving slower than you
   • CIts bearing changes quickly as it approaches
   • DIt 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.

8. Question 8 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?

   • ATwo
   • BThree
   • CNone
   • DOne
   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).

9. Question 9 of 25

   In this diagram, what color is the port sidelight (light 1)?

   • AYellow
   • BWhite
   • CGreen
   • DRed
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Red

   The port sidelight is red and the starboard sidelight is green.

10. Question 10 of 25

    On inland waters, a power-driven vessel meeting you sounds one short blast. What does it mean?

    • A"I am operating astern propulsion"
    • B"I am in distress"
    • C"I intend to leave you on my port side"
    • D"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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does this white marker with an open orange diamond mean?

    • ADanger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
    • BBoats may not enter the area
    • CA safe place to anchor overnight
    • DA 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What should the stand-on vessel do in a crossing situation?

    • AKeep its course and speed
    • BSpeed up to get clear faster
    • CStop its engine right away
    • DTurn 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

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

    Light 4 in the diagram is the white sternlight. How wide is its arc?

    • A225 degrees, toward the front
    • B360 degrees, all around
    • C112.5 degrees, on one side
    • D135 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Where must the registration number be displayed on a numbered boat?

    • AInside the cabin, near the helm
    • BOn each side of the forward half of the boat
    • COn the windshield, facing forward
    • DOn 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 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".

20. Question 20 of 25

    You are leaving a harbor and heading out to sea. Where should red buoys like this be?

    • AOn your port (left) side
    • BIn the middle of your path
    • CIt does not matter
    • DOn 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

    A sailboat is motoring with its engine and its sails are down. How is it treated under the Navigation Rules?

    • AAs a power-driven vessel
    • BAs a vessel not under command
    • CAs a sailing vessel
    • DAs 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.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A vessel flies this blue and white flag (code flag A). What does it mean?

    • AIt is towing a skier and needs extra room
    • BIt is for sale and you may come alongside
    • CIt has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
    • DIt 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Under the federal rule, which children must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway?

    • AOnly children who cannot swim, of any age
    • BUnder 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin
    • CUnder 6, but only when the boat is out at night
    • DUnder 18, at all times when they are on board
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Under 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin

    The federal rule requires children under 13 to wear an approved life jacket while underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

24. Question 24 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.

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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