Oregon Boater Education Card Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

Practice test 3 of 6 for the Oregon Boater Education Card Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
Oregon
132 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 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 2 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 3 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.
Question 4 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 5 of 25
On inland waters, what signal does a power-driven vessel sound when it leaves a dock or berth?
- One short blast
- Two prolonged blasts
- One prolonged blast
- Five short blasts
Show answer
Answer: C. One prolonged blast
A power-driven vessel leaving a dock or berth sounds one prolonged blast.
Question 6 of 25
Where does the state validation decal go?
- On the stern, right next to the motor
- Within 6 inches of the registration number
- Inside the glove box, with the papers
- On the boat trailer's left fender
Show answer
Answer: B. Within 6 inches of the registration number
The validation decal goes within 6 inches of the registration number, with no other numbers or letters nearby.
Question 7 of 25
On a Coast Guard documented vessel, how tall must the name and hailing port be?
- Any size that can be read
- At least 12 inches
- At least 1 inch
- At least 4 inches
Show answer
Answer: D. At least 4 inches
Documented vessels show their name and hailing port together on the hull in letters at least 4 inches high.
Question 8 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 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
Instead of a lanyard, what other type of engine cut-off device is approved?
- A warning sticker placed on the dashboard
- A loud alarm that sounds but does not stop the engine
- A rope tied between the helm and the ladder
- A wireless fob that stops the engine in water
Show answer
Answer: D. A wireless fob that stops the engine in water
Wireless engine cut-off devices, worn by the operator, stop the engine when the fob goes into the water.
Question 11 of 25
You are in a No Discharge Zone. What must you do with your marine sanitation device?
- Discharge only sewage that has been treated
- Remove the toilet from the boat completely
- Secure it so it cannot discharge, such as with a padlock
- Discharge only at night when no one is swimming
Show answer
Answer: C. Secure it so it cannot discharge, such as with a padlock
In a No Discharge Zone, no sewage may be discharged, and the device must be secured, such as with a padlocked valve or locked door.
Question 12 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 13 of 25
What is a "safe speed"?
- A speed that lets you stop or turn in time
- The speed posted at the nearest launch ramp
- Any speed under 10 mph, in all conditions
- The highest speed your boat can safely reach
Show answer
Answer: A. A speed that lets you stop or turn in time
Safe speed depends on visibility, traffic, wind, waves and your boat. You must be able to avoid a collision and stop in time.
Question 14 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 15 of 25
How long should you run the blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?
- At least 20 minutes
- Only while the engine is cranking
- About 10 seconds
- At least 4 minutes
Show answer
Answer: D. At least 4 minutes
Boats with powered blowers carry a warning label: run the blower at least four minutes and check the bilge for gasoline vapors before starting.
Question 16 of 25
Which feature means a boat must carry a fire extinguisher?
- Permanently installed fuel tanks
- A swim ladder at the stern
- A locker for the anchor and line
- A canvas bimini top for shade
Show answer
Answer: A. Permanently installed fuel tanks
Extinguishers are required on boats with features such as closed compartments where fuel tanks may be stored, permanently installed fuel tanks or closed living spaces.
Question 17 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 18 of 25
Two sailboats meet with the wind on different sides. Which must keep clear?
- The boat with the wind on its port side
- The boat with the wind on its starboard side
- The larger sailboat
- The boat that is to leeward
Show answer
Answer: A. The boat with the wind on its port side
When sailing vessels have the wind on different sides, the one with the wind on its port side keeps out of the way.
Question 19 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 20 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 21 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 22 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 23 of 25
One 20-B fire extinguisher can replace how many required 5-B extinguishers?
- Two
- Four
- Three
- One
Show answer
Answer: A. Two
One 20-B extinguisher may be carried in place of two required 5-B extinguishers.
Question 24 of 25
A vessel overtaking you on inland waters signals its plan, and you agree. What do you do?
- Turn toward the overtaking boat
- Sound five short blasts
- Do nothing; silence means yes
- Sound the same signal back
Show answer
Answer: D. Sound the same signal back
The vessel being overtaken answers with the same signal if it agrees. If it is unsure, it sounds the danger signal of at least five short blasts.
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?
- 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.

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