Washington Boater Education Card Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 13

   In Washington, a boater education card is required to operate a motorboat with an engine of what size?

   • AAny engine at all
   • B50 horsepower or more
   • C5 horsepower or more
   • D15 horsepower or more
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 15 horsepower or more

   RCW 79A.60.640 covers motor-driven boats and vessels of 15 horsepower or greater.

2. Question 2 of 13

   What is the minimum age to operate a motorboat of 15 hp or more in Washington?

   • A16
   • B14
   • C10
   • D12
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   Answer: D. 12

   Operators of motor-driven boats of 15 hp or more must be at least 12 years old.

3. Question 3 of 13

   Which Washington boaters are exempt from the boater education card because of their birth date?

   • APeople born after January 1, 2000
   • BPeople born before January 1, 1990
   • CThere is no birth-date exemption
   • DPeople born before January 1, 1955
   Show answer

   Answer: D. People born before January 1, 1955

   RCW 79A.60.640(3)(j) exempts anyone born before January 1, 1955.

4. Question 4 of 13

   A person without a card may operate a 15+ hp boat in Washington when supervised by whom?

   • AA marina employee by radio
   • BAnyone 12 or older, with or without a card
   • CA cardholder 16 or older
   • DAny adult watching from shore
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A cardholder 16 or older

   A boater without a card may operate under the supervision of a person 16 or older who has a card.

5. Question 5 of 13

   What must you do with your Washington boater education card while operating?

   • ALeave it at home so it does not get lost
   • BMail a copy to the state parks office each year
   • CCarry it and show it to an officer on request
   • DDisplay it on the boat's windshield
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Carry it and show it to an officer on request

   RCW 79A.60.640(4) says a boater must carry the card while operating and present it on request.

6. Question 6 of 13

   You rent a 90 hp boat in Washington and have no card. How can you operate it legally?

   • AOperate only in daylight hours
   • BBe 12 or older and complete a safety checklist each time
   • CStay within 100 feet of the rental dock
   • DPay the rental company an extra fee to cover the missing card
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Be 12 or older and complete a safety checklist each time

   Renters, charterers and lessees who are at least 12 and complete a commission-approved safety checklist before each operation are exempt.

7. Question 7 of 13

   A non-resident is exempt from the Washington card if they operate a 15+ hp boat in the state for no more than how long?

   • A30 consecutive days
   • B7 consecutive days
   • C60 consecutive days
   • D1 year
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 60 consecutive days

   Non-residents who do not operate a 15 hp or larger vessel in Washington for more than 60 consecutive days are exempt.

8. Question 8 of 13

   You just bought a boat in Washington. When are you exempt from the boater card requirement?

   • ANever; new owners need a card right away
   • BFor 60 days, with a dated bill of sale
   • COnly if the boat is brand new from a dealer
   • DFor 1 year, with no papers needed
   Show answer

   Answer: B. For 60 days, with a dated bill of sale

   Owners who bought the boat within the last 60 days and have a bill of sale showing the purchase date are exempt.

9. Question 9 of 13

   You get a ticket for not having a boater education card in Washington. How can the penalty be waived?

   • AShow the court a new card within 60 days
   • BSell the boat before the court date
   • CPromise the court to take a course next year
   • DPay double the fine within 30 days
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Show the court a new card within 60 days

   The penalty is waived if the boater proves to the court, within 60 days, that they have received a boater education card.

10. Question 10 of 13

    Under Washington law, which children must wear a life jacket on an open deck of a boat under 19 feet that is underway?

    • AChildren under 6
    • BChildren under 16
    • CChildren 12 and under
    • DOnly children who cannot swim
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Children 12 and under

    RCW 79A.60.160 requires children 12 and under to wear a PFD on vessels under 19 feet while underway, except below deck, in an enclosed cabin or on Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessels.

11. Question 11 of 13

    When towing a water-skier in Washington, what must the observer have?

    • AA Coast Guard boat operator license
    • BA whistle and a bell to signal
    • CA second boat following the skier
    • DA flag at least 12 inches square
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A flag at least 12 inches square

    An observer must continuously watch the skier and display a flag at least 12 inches square. The observer and operator cannot be the same person.

12. Question 12 of 13

    When is water skiing prohibited in Washington?

    • AFrom one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise
    • BOnly between midnight and 3 a.m. each night
    • CFrom noon to 2 p.m. during the hottest months
    • DOn weekends and public holidays in summer
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    Answer: A. From one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise

    RCW 79A.60.170 prohibits water skiing or towing from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise.

13. Question 13 of 13

    Under Washington law, an operator is impaired with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, or a THC concentration of what, within two hours?

    • AAny amount at all
    • B1.00 or higher in the urine
    • C0.02 or higher in the breath
    • D5.00 or higher in the blood
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 5.00 or higher in the blood

    RCW 79A.60.040 sets 0.08 alcohol or a THC concentration of 5.00 or higher in the blood, measured within two hours of operating.

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