Ohio Boater Exam Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 13

   Under Ohio law, who must complete a boating course or proficiency exam?

   • AOnly operators who are under 16 years old
   • BOnly people born before 1982, of any age now
   • CPeople born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, operating over 10 hp
   • DEveryone who operates any canoe, kayak or other paddle craft
   Show answer

   Answer: C. People born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, operating over 10 hp

   Ohio Revised Code 1547.05 requires a NASBLA-approved course or a proficiency exam for operators born on or after January 1, 1982, of powercraft over 10 hp.

2. Question 2 of 13

   How can an Ohio boater meet the education requirement?

   • AA NASBLA-approved course or a proficiency exam
   • BPassing a driver license test at the BMV
   • CPassing a swimming test at a pool
   • DBuying a boat registration for the year
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A NASBLA-approved course or a proficiency exam

   The law accepts a safe boater course approved by NASBLA or a proctored or non-proctored proficiency exam, with a certificate as proof.

3. Question 3 of 13

   Which Ohio boaters are exempt from the course requirement?

   • AAnyone over 40 years old who was born in Ohio
   • BHolders of certain Coast Guard mariner credentials
   • CAnyone who owns the boat that they are operating
   • DAnyone who holds a current Ohio fishing license
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   Answer: B. Holders of certain Coast Guard mariner credentials

   People with valid Coast Guard merchant mariner credentials with a master or operator endorsement are exempt, but must carry the credential on board.

4. Question 4 of 13

   Under Ohio law, a 14-year-old may operate a personal watercraft only when:

   • AA supervising person 18 or older is on board
   • BA parent is watching from the dock with a radio
   • CIt is daylight and the lake is calm
   • DThe PWC is under 50 hp
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   Answer: A. A supervising person 18 or older is on board

   No one under 16 may operate a PWC, except that 12- to 15-year-olds may do so with a supervising person 18 or older on board.

5. Question 5 of 13

   Under Ohio law, which children must wear a life jacket on a boat less than 18 feet long?

   • AChildren under 13
   • BChildren under 16
   • CChildren under 10
   • DChildren under 6
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Children under 10

   Ohio Revised Code 1547.24 requires children under 10 to wear a fitted, Coast Guard-approved wearable PFD on vessels under 18 feet.

6. Question 6 of 13

   In Ohio, what flotation must a boat 16 feet or longer carry?

   • AOnly a throwable device, with no wearables
   • BA wearable life jacket for each person, plus a throwable
   • COne wearable life jacket for the whole boat, kept near the helm
   • DTwo throwable devices and no wearables
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   Answer: B. A wearable life jacket for each person, plus a throwable

   Vessels 16 feet or longer need a wearable PFD for each person and a throwable PFD. Under 16 feet, a wearable for each person is required.

7. Question 7 of 13

   When towing a water-skier in Ohio, who must be on board besides the operator?

   • AAn observer who is at least 10 years old
   • BA second operator who holds a boating certificate
   • CA licensed captain
   • DA lifeguard
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   Answer: A. An observer who is at least 10 years old

   Ohio Revised Code 1547.15 requires an observer, 10 or older, other than the operator, to watch the skier at all times.

8. Question 8 of 13

   When is water skiing prohibited in Ohio?

   • AOnly when it is raining or foggy
   • BOnly on Sundays and public holidays
   • CFrom noon to 2 p.m. in the summer
   • DFrom sunset to sunrise, unless permitted
   Show answer

   Answer: D. From sunset to sunrise, unless permitted

   Ohio Revised Code 1547.16 prohibits water skiing from sunset to sunrise, except under a special permit.

9. Question 9 of 13

   Under Ohio law, operating less than how far directly behind a water-skier is unsafe?

   • A20 feet
   • B50 feet
   • C1,000 feet
   • D200 feet
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 200 feet

   Operating less than 200 feet directly behind a skier is unsafe operation under Ohio Revised Code 1547.07.

10. Question 10 of 13

    What breath or blood alcohol level is a violation for Ohio boat operators under 21?

    • AAt least 0.10
    • BOnly 0.08 or more, like adults
    • CAt least 0.05
    • DAt least 0.02 (but less than 0.08)
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    Answer: D. At least 0.02 (but less than 0.08)

    For operators under 21, Ohio sets a lower limit of 0.02 in whole blood or breath. For adults, the limit is 0.08.

11. Question 11 of 13

    On Lake Erie or the Ohio River, what is the rule within 300 feet of a marina, dock or launch ramp?

    • ANo faster than 25 mph
    • BNo faster than idle speed and no wake
    • CSound one long blast
    • DNo anchoring, but any speed is fine
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No faster than idle speed and no wake

    Ohio Revised Code 1547.08 prohibits going faster than idle speed or making a wake within 300 feet of a marina, dock, launch ramp or harbor entrance on Lake Erie or the Ohio River.

12. Question 12 of 13

    How close may you operate to an official diver's flag in Ohio if you are not tending the dive?

    • AThere is no distance rule
    • BNo closer than 25 feet
    • CNo closer than 300 feet
    • DNo closer than 100 feet
    Show answer

    Answer: C. No closer than 300 feet

    Ohio law prohibits operating within 300 feet of an official diver's flag unless you are tending the dive.

13. Question 13 of 13

    You pass a stationary law enforcement vessel showing its required light in Ohio. What must you do?

    • ASound three short blasts
    • BTie up next to it
    • CMake no wake within 100 feet of it
    • DPass at full speed to clear the area
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Make no wake within 100 feet of it

    Ohio Revised Code 1547.132 prohibits creating a wake within 100 feet of a stationary law enforcement vessel displaying its required light.

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