Virginia Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 6 for the Virginia Boater Exam Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
Virginia
131 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 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 2 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 3 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 4 of 25
At night you see a red and a green light straight ahead. What is happening?
- A vessel is heading straight toward you
- A vessel is moving away from you
- A vessel is anchored
- A buoy marks a channel
Show answer
Answer: A. A vessel is heading straight toward you
Seeing both sidelights means the vessel is pointed at you. Treat it as a head-on meeting and turn to starboard.
Question 5 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 6 of 25
What is true about carbon monoxide (CO) from boat engines?
- It is safe outdoors on a boat
- It only comes from diesel engines
- It smells like gasoline, so it is easy to notice
- It has no color or smell and can kill quickly
Show answer
Answer: D. It has no color or smell and can kill quickly
Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. It can build up around a boat, especially near the stern and swim platform, while engines or generators run.
Question 7 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 8 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 9 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 10 of 25
What amount of property damage makes a boating accident reportable?
- $2,000 or more
- $10,000 or more
- $500 or more
- $200 or more
Show answer
Answer: A. $2,000 or more
Accidents with damage to vessels and other property totaling $2,000 or more must be reported.
Question 11 of 25
Is it legal to tie your boat to a navigation buoy?
- No, it is dangerous and illegal
- Yes, if you stay less than an hour
- Yes, if the buoy is green
- Yes, but only in daylight
Show answer
Answer: A. No, it is dangerous and illegal
Do not tie up to aids to navigation. It is dangerous and illegal, and it can hide the aid from other boaters.
Question 12 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 13 of 25
Which light does a boat show when anchored at night?
- An all-round red light
- Its red and green sidelights
- An all-round white light
- A flashing yellow light
Show answer
Answer: C. An all-round white light
A vessel at anchor shows an all-round white light at night and a black ball by day.
Question 14 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 15 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 16 of 25
A sailboat is motoring with its engine and its sails are down. How is it treated under the Navigation Rules?
- As a power-driven vessel
- As a vessel not under command
- As a sailing vessel
- As a vessel at anchor
Show answer
Answer: A. As a power-driven vessel
A sailboat using its engine is a power-driven vessel and follows the power-driven rules.
Question 17 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 18 of 25
A power-driven boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) may show which lights instead of a masthead light and sternlight?
- One flashing yellow light at the bow
- Its sidelights only, with no white light
- Two red all-round lights, one above the other
- An all-round white light plus sidelights
Show answer
Answer: D. An all-round white light plus sidelights
A power-driven vessel under 12 meters may combine its masthead light and sternlight into one all-round white light, shown with sidelights.
Question 19 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 20 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 21 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 22 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 23 of 25
A collision causes $3,000 in damage but no injuries. How soon must it be reported?
- Within 10 days
- It does not need to be reported
- Within 2 hours
- Within 48 hours
Show answer
Answer: A. Within 10 days
Accidents with damage only (of $2,000 or more) must be reported within 10 days.
Question 24 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 25 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).

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