Texas Boater Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

Practice test 4 of 6 for the Texas Boater Education Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
Texas
130 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 25
During the day, a sailboat using its engine with its sails up should display what?
- A black cone with its point down
- An orange flag on the mast
- A red pennant at the stern
- A black ball in the rigging
Show answer
Answer: A. A black cone with its point down
A sailing vessel under power displays a cone, apex down, by day. It is not required for vessels under 12 meters on inland waters.
Question 2 of 25
Why is a personal watercraft operator's lanyard attached to their body or life jacket?
- So the PWC can be anchored
- So the engine stops if the rider falls off
- So the lights turn on automatically
- So the rider can tow a tube
Show answer
Answer: B. So the engine stops if the rider falls off
If the rider falls off, the lanyard pulls the cut-off switch and the engine stops, so the PWC does not keep going without them.
Question 3 of 25
Which kind of life jacket is the right choice for riding a personal watercraft?
- A non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use
- A throwable cushion held on your lap
- No life jacket is needed on a PWC
- An inflatable belt pack
Show answer
Answer: A. A non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use
Most inflatable life jackets are not approved for PWC use. Wear a properly sized, inherently buoyant life jacket meant for PWC riding.
Question 4 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 5 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 6 of 25
Which check is part of keeping a fire extinguisher "good and serviceable"?
- The gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
- The extinguisher has been tested by using it once
- The label has been removed so it fits the bracket
- The nozzle is taped shut to keep out dirt
Show answer
Answer: A. The gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
A serviceable extinguisher has its gauge in the operable range, its lock pin in place, a clear nozzle and no serious corrosion or damage.
Question 7 of 25
This white buoy with a blue band is a mooring buoy. What is it for?
- Warning of a hidden rock
- Marking the right side of a channel
- Marking a no-wake zone
- Tying up or securing a boat
Show answer
Answer: D. Tying up or securing a boat
Mooring buoys are white with a horizontal blue band. They are made for boats to tie up to.
Question 8 of 25
What kind of numbers do red nun buoys like this carry?
- Odd numbers
- Even numbers
- Letters only
- No numbers
Show answer
Answer: B. Even numbers
Red lateral markers carry even numbers, and the numbers increase as you head in from sea.
Question 9 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 10 of 25
Where must the registration number be displayed on a numbered boat?
- Inside the cabin, near the helm
- On each side of the forward half of the boat
- On the windshield, facing forward
- On 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.
Question 11 of 25
When is an operator NOT required to use the engine cut-off switch link?
- When there are passengers on board
- When the water is calm
- When the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin
- When the boat is going faster than 20 mph
Show answer
Answer: C. When the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin
The requirement does not apply when the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin. It is also not needed at slow speeds such as docking or trolling.
Question 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 of 25
How many wearable life jackets must a recreational boat carry?
- One for every two people on board
- One approved life jacket for each person
- Two for the whole boat, of any size
- One for the operator only
Show answer
Answer: B. One approved life jacket for each person
Federal rules require one wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard.
Question 16 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 17 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 18 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 19 of 25
Your boat is 40 feet long and you operate on U.S. inland waters. What document must you keep on board?
- A copy of the boat's insurance policy
- A copy of the Navigation Rules
- A map of every state you will visit
- A list of marinas with fuel
Show answer
Answer: B. A copy of the Navigation Rules
Operators of vessels 12 meters (39.4 feet) or longer must keep a copy of the Navigation Rules on board on inland waters.
Question 20 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 21 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?
- Two
- Three
- None
- One
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).
Question 22 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 23 of 25
In a narrow channel, which side should you keep to?
- The starboard (right) side
- Whichever side has less traffic
- The center of the channel
- The 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.
Question 24 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 25 of 25
How old can a disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher be and still count?
- There is no age limit if it is full
- No more than 20 years from purchase
- No more than 5 years from manufacture
- No more than 12 years from manufacture
Show answer
Answer: D. No more than 12 years from manufacture
Disposable extinguishers must be removed from service 12 years after the date stamped on the bottle, on December 31 of the 12th year.

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