Oregon Boater Education Card Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

Practice test 4 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
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 2 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 3 of 25
This marker shows a diamond with a cross and the words "SWIM AREA". What must boaters do?
- Keep it on your right when returning
- Keep out of the marked swimming area
- Anchor there to swim
- Slow down and pass through it
Show answer
Answer: B. Keep out of the marked swimming area
A diamond with a cross means boats keep out. Here it protects a swimming area.
Question 4 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 5 of 25
What does this white marker with an orange diamond and a cross inside mean?
- Swimmers may not enter
- Boats keep out of the area
- Slow down to 5 mph
- Information 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.
Question 6 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 7 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 8 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 9 of 25
Under the federal rule, which children must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway?
- Only children who cannot swim, of any age
- Under 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin
- Under 6, but only when the boat is out at night
- Under 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.
Question 10 of 25
Your powerboat is approaching a vessel engaged in fishing with nets. What must you do?
- Keep out of its way
- Sound five short blasts and continue
- Hold your course; it must move for you
- Pass close to look at its gear
Show answer
Answer: A. Keep out of its way
A power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, which has nets or gear that limit its movement.
Question 11 of 25
Which boats must display a garbage placard?
- Only boats over 100 feet
- Only sailboats
- All boats of any size
- Boats 26 feet and longer
Show answer
Answer: D. Boats 26 feet and longer
Vessels 26 feet or longer must display a garbage placard at least 4 by 9 inches in a prominent place.
Question 12 of 25
A large ship can only operate safely inside a narrow channel. What must a small recreational boat do?
- Hold course because small boats have right of way
- Not get in its way
- Stop in the channel and wait
- Cross in front of it to show its position
Show answer
Answer: B. Not get in its way
Vessels under 20 meters (65.6 feet) and sailing vessels must not impede a vessel that can navigate safely only within a narrow channel.
Question 13 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 14 of 25
Two vessels agree by VHF radio how they will pass each other. Do they still have to sound whistle signals?
- No, and sounding them would be illegal
- No, but they may
- Yes, always, before and after passing
- Yes, 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.
Question 15 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 16 of 25
What sound-producing device must a boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) carry?
- A bell and a gong mounted on deck
- A siren, like those used on police boats
- Nothing; shouting loudly is enough
- An 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.
Question 17 of 25
What colors are used on regulatory and information markers?
- Red and white vertical stripes
- Green with a wide red band in the middle
- Black with one or more yellow bands
- White with orange bands at top and bottom
Show answer
Answer: D. White with orange bands at top and bottom
Regulatory and information markers are white with an orange band near the top and bottom. The orange shape shows the meaning.
Question 18 of 25
Your flares expired last year. Do they count toward the requirement?
- Yes, for up to 5 years after expiry
- Yes, if they are kept dry
- No, expired pyrotechnics do not count
- Yes, but only at night
Show answer
Answer: C. No, expired pyrotechnics do not count
Pyrotechnic signals must be in date. Expired signals do not meet the requirement.
Question 19 of 25
Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for daytime use only?
- An orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet
- A white all-round anchor light
- An electric distress light
- A green flashlight, held up high
Show answer
Answer: A. An orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet
An orange distress flag is a day signal. An electric distress light is a night signal.
Question 20 of 25
On inland waters, you want to overtake a power-driven vessel and pass on its starboard side. What signal do you give?
- Two short blasts
- One short blast
- One prolonged blast
- Three 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".
Question 21 of 25
A 30-foot boat with an engine room must post which placard?
- An oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches
- A speed limit sign for the nearest marina
- A placard listing the names of the crew
- A no-smoking sign, at least 2 by 3 inches
Show answer
Answer: A. An oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches
Boats 26 feet or longer with a machinery space must post an oil discharge placard at least 5 by 8 inches in the machinery space or at the bilge pump station.
Question 22 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 23 of 25
Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for nighttime use only?
- A red pennant
- An orange smoke signal
- An electric distress light
- An orange distress flag
Show answer
Answer: C. An electric distress light
An electric distress light meets the night requirement. An orange flag only counts during the day.
Question 24 of 25
You are towing a water-skier. What is the job of the observer on board?
- Steer the skier using only hand signals
- Keep other boats from coming close to watch
- Watch the skier and tell the operator what happens
- Drive 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.
Question 25 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.

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