North Carolina Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

Practice test 4 of 6 for the North Carolina Boater Exam Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
North Carolina
132 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
You row a small rowboat after dark. What light do you need?
- A flashing blue light on the stern
- A white flashlight or lantern, ready to show
- No light, because it has no motor
- A 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.
Question 2 of 25
Your boat meets the rules of the state where it is registered. Does it automatically meet the rules of every other state?
- No. Another state may have different requirements
- Yes, as long as it has federal equipment
- Yes, all states have identical rules
- Only 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.
Question 3 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 4 of 25
How often should you inspect your fire extinguishers?
- Every 5 years
- Monthly
- Never, if the seal is intact
- Only after a fire
Show answer
Answer: B. Monthly
Inspect extinguishers monthly. If the label lists a minimum weight, weigh them once a year.
Question 5 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 6 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 7 of 25
What does this white marker with an orange circle mean?
- A controlled area; here, no wake
- Danger from rocks right below
- Boats must keep out of the area
- Directions to a nearby marina
Show answer
Answer: A. A controlled area; here, no wake
An orange circle marks a controlled area, such as a no-wake or speed-limit zone. The rule is written inside the circle.
Question 8 of 25
You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this red buoy?
- On your port (left) side
- On either side
- Only on your left at night
- On 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.
Question 9 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 10 of 25
Which engines must have a Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrester?
- Diesel engines only
- Gasoline inboard engines
- Electric trolling motors
- All outboard motors
Show answer
Answer: B. Gasoline inboard engines
Gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, must have an approved backfire flame control device.
Question 11 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 12 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.
Question 13 of 25
What does this buoy with red and white vertical stripes mark?
- Safe water, such as the middle of a channel
- A place where boats may not go
- A swimming area
- A wreck or rock to stay away from
Show answer
Answer: A. Safe water, such as the middle of a channel
Safe water markers have red and white vertical stripes. They mark safe water all around, often a fairway or mid-channel.
Question 14 of 25
What is the maximum federal criminal penalty for boating under the influence?
- A written warning, with no fine
- Up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both
- Loss of your car driver license only
- A 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.
Question 15 of 25
On inland waters, what do two short blasts mean when two power-driven vessels meet or cross in sight of each other?
- "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
- "I intend to leave you on my port side"
- "I am leaving the dock"
- "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".
Question 16 of 25
How tall must the letters and numbers of the registration number be?
- At least 12 inches, in any color
- At least 6 inches, in script letters
- At least 3 inches, in block characters
- At 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.
Question 17 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 18 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 19 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 20 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 21 of 25
You see this red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does it mean?
- The beach ahead is private property
- Shallow water ahead; boats should turn back
- Divers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
- A water-ski course is set up in this area
Show answer
Answer: C. Divers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
The diver-down flag marks an area where people are diving. State laws set how far away boats must stay.
Question 22 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 23 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 24 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 25 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.

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