Virginia Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

Practice test 5 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
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 2 of 25
What does this buoy with red and white vertical stripes mark?
- Safe water, such as the middle of a channel
- A place where boats may not go
- A swimming area
- A wreck or rock to stay away from
Show answer
Answer: A. Safe water, such as the middle of a channel
Safe water markers have red and white vertical stripes. They mark safe water all around, often a fairway or mid-channel.
Question 3 of 25
Someone is injured and needs medical treatment beyond first aid. How soon must the written report be filed?
- Within 10 days
- Within 48 hours
- Within 30 days
- Within one year
Show answer
Answer: B. Within 48 hours
Reports are due within 48 hours for a death within 24 hours, an injury beyond first aid, or a disappearance. Other reportable accidents must be reported within 10 days.
Question 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 of 25
A vessel flies this blue and white flag (code flag A). What does it mean?
- It is towing a skier and needs extra room
- It is for sale and you may come alongside
- It has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
- It is anchored for the night with no one aboard
Show answer
Answer: C. It has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
When a vessel engaged in diving cannot show the normal shapes, it displays a rigid replica of code flag "A" at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) high.
Question 8 of 25
How can you tell that you are on a collision course with another boat?
- Its compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer
- It is moving slower than you
- Its bearing changes quickly as it approaches
- It is showing only a white light
Show answer
Answer: A. Its compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer
If an approaching vessel's bearing does not change much while the distance closes, a risk of collision exists.
Question 9 of 25
At night you see another boat's red sidelight on your starboard side. What should you do?
- Hold course, since you are the stand-on boat
- Speed up to cross in front of it quickly
- Give way, because it is crossing from your right
- Turn off your lights so you do not confuse it
Show answer
Answer: C. Give way, because it is crossing from your right
A red light on your right means a boat is crossing from your starboard side. You are the give-way vessel.
Question 10 of 25
What does NASBLA stand for?
- North American Society of Boat Licensing Authorities
- National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
- National Alliance of Sailing and Boating Leagues
- National Agency for Safe Boating and Lifesaving Activities
Show answer
Answer: B. National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
NASBLA is the national association of state boating law administrators. Most state boater education courses are NASBLA-approved.
Question 11 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 12 of 25
Your boat is 14 feet long and you are on coastal waters. Which visual distress signals are required?
- Day and night signals at all times on the water
- No signals at any time, because it is under 16 feet
- Day signals only, when out between sunrise and sunset
- Night signals, when out between sunset and sunrise
Show answer
Answer: D. Night signals, when out between sunset and sunrise
Boats under 16 feet are exempt from day signal requirements but must carry night signals when operating from sunset to sunrise.
Question 13 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 14 of 25
What does this black buoy with a red band and two black balls on top mean?
- The center of a safe channel or fairway
- An isolated danger with safe water around it
- A mooring area where boats may tie up
- The start of a no-wake zone near shore
Show answer
Answer: B. An isolated danger with safe water around it
Isolated danger marks are placed on or near a danger, such as a rock, that has navigable water around it. Do not pass close.
Question 15 of 25
After a boating accident, what must the operator do?
- Stop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID
- Wait for the other boat to call for help first
- Leave quickly so the area is clear for rescuers
- Only call a tow company to move the boats
Show answer
Answer: A. Stop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID
Federal law requires an operator involved in a casualty to give assistance as far as possible without serious danger, and to give their name, address and vessel identification.
Question 16 of 25
Which boating accident must be reported to the state?
- One where someone needs more than first aid
- A scratch to the hull that costs $100 to fix
- Any time a fishing line breaks on a snag
- Any time a boat runs out of fuel on the water
Show answer
Answer: A. One where someone needs more than first aid
A report is required for a death, a disappearance, an injury needing more than first aid, damage of $2,000 or more, or the complete loss of a boat.
Question 17 of 25
On a powerboat under 12 meters, how high must the all-round white light be above the sidelights?
- At least 6 inches (15 cm)
- At least 10 feet (3 meters)
- At the same height as them
- At least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
Show answer
Answer: D. At least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
The masthead or all-round white light must be at least 3.3 feet higher than the sidelights.
Question 18 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 19 of 25
Several people are in cold water wearing life jackets. How can they stay warmer?
- Spread out to be seen
- Float on their backs far apart
- Huddle close together
- Take turns swimming laps
Show answer
Answer: C. Huddle close together
The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.
Question 20 of 25
Which vessels are exempt from carrying day visual distress signals?
- Any boat that has a working VHF radio
- Boats with inboard gasoline engines
- Manually propelled boats, such as canoes
- All boats over 26 feet with a cabin
Show answer
Answer: C. Manually propelled boats, such as canoes
Manually propelled boats, boats under 16 feet, open sailboats under 26 feet without propulsion, and boats in organized events are exempt from day signals.
Question 21 of 25
Your boat is 70 feet long and has a toilet. Which marine sanitation device types may it use?
- No device is required
- Type I only
- Type I, II or III
- Type II or Type III
Show answer
Answer: D. Type II or Type III
Vessels 65 feet and under may use a Type I, II or III device. Vessels over 65 feet must use Type II or III.
Question 22 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.
Question 23 of 25
A friend lifts your life jacket at the shoulders and it stays below your chin. What does this show?
- It fits properly
- It is the wrong color
- It is too loose
- It needs to be inflated
Show answer
Answer: A. It fits properly
A properly fitted life jacket stays in place when lifted at the shoulders. If it rides up over your chin or ears, it is too loose.
Question 24 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 25 of 25
You are the stand-on vessel, but the give-way vessel is not taking action and a collision is near. What must you do?
- Turn off your engine and drift
- Sound one prolonged blast and keep going
- Take action to avoid the collision
- Hold course and speed no matter what
Show answer
Answer: C. Take action to avoid the collision
The stand-on vessel must take the best action to avoid collision when the give-way vessel alone can no longer prevent it.

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