Washington Boater Education Card Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 6 for the Washington Boater Education Card Practice Test: 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
Washington
133 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 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 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 of 25
You are alone in cold water wearing a life jacket and cannot climb out. What should you do?
- Splash and kick constantly to stay visible
- Take off your life jacket so you can move freely
- Swim hard in circles to keep your body warm
- Fold your arms, cross your legs and float still
Show answer
Answer: D. Fold your arms, cross your legs and float still
The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) reduces heat loss. Swim only if safety is very close.
Question 8 of 25
When must the operator of a covered boat use the engine cut-off switch link?
- Only when towing a skier or a tube
- When on plane or above displacement speed
- Only when docking at a marina or ramp
- Only when operating after dark
Show answer
Answer: B. When on plane or above displacement speed
Since April 1, 2021, operators of covered boats must use the engine cut-off switch link when running on plane or above displacement speed.
Question 9 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 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 of 25
What is the maximum federal criminal penalty for boating under the influence?
- A written warning, with no fine
- Up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both
- Loss of your car driver license only
- A fine of up to $50 and a short class
Show answer
Answer: B. Up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both
Federal BUI penalties include a civil penalty of up to $1,000, or a criminal penalty of up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both.
Question 14 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 15 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 16 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 17 of 25
Boat B is crossing from boat A's starboard (right) side. Which boat is the give-way vessel?
- Boat A
- Whichever boat is faster
- Boat B
- Neither; both must stop
Show answer
Answer: A. Boat A
When two power-driven vessels cross, the one that has the other on its starboard side must keep out of the way. Boat A slows or turns right to pass behind B.
Question 18 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 19 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 20 of 25
During the day, what shape does a vessel at anchor display?
- Two red balls on the mast
- An orange flag at the stern
- A black ball near the bow
- A black cone, point down
Show answer
Answer: C. A black ball near the bow
An anchored vessel shows a black ball forward by day and an all-round white light at night. Vessels under 7 meters away from channels and anchorages are generally exempt.
Question 21 of 25
How tall must the letters and numbers of the registration number be?
- At least 12 inches, in any color
- At least 6 inches, in script letters
- At least 3 inches, in block characters
- At least 1 inch, in any style
Show answer
Answer: C. At least 3 inches, in block characters
The registration number must be in plain block characters at least 3 inches high, in a color that contrasts with the hull.
Question 22 of 25
Which engines must have a Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrester?
- Diesel engines only
- Gasoline inboard engines
- Electric trolling motors
- All outboard motors
Show answer
Answer: B. Gasoline inboard engines
Gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, must have an approved backfire flame control device.
Question 23 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 24 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 25 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.

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