Washington Boater Education Card Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

Practice test 3 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
On inland waters, a power-driven vessel meeting you sounds one short blast. What does it mean?
- "I am operating astern propulsion"
- "I am in distress"
- "I intend to leave you on my port side"
- "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
Show answer
Answer: C. "I intend to leave you on my port side"
Under Inland Rule 34, one short blast means "I intend to leave you on my port side". If you agree, answer with one short blast.
Question 2 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 3 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.
Question 4 of 25
Two vessels agree by VHF radio how they will pass each other. Do they still have to sound whistle signals?
- No, and sounding them would be illegal
- No, but they may
- Yes, always, before and after passing
- Yes, but only at night
Show answer
Answer: B. No, but they may
Vessels that reach agreement by radio do not have to sound the whistle signals. If they cannot agree, whistle signals must be exchanged and they prevail.
Question 5 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 6 of 25
Where must recreational boats carry visual distress signals?
- Coastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas
- Only on rivers that are wider than 1 mile
- Only on small inland lakes and ponds
- Only within 1 mile of any shoreline
Show answer
Answer: A. Coastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas
Visual distress signals are required on U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and connected waters up to where they become less than 2 nautical miles wide.
Question 7 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 8 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 9 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 10 of 25
What do three short blasts mean?
- "I am operating astern propulsion"
- "I am turning to starboard now"
- "Please pass me on either side"
- "I need fuel or other help"
Show answer
Answer: A. "I am operating astern propulsion"
Three short blasts mean the vessel is operating astern propulsion, such as backing its engines.
Question 11 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 12 of 25
One 20-B fire extinguisher can replace how many required 5-B extinguishers?
- Two
- Four
- Three
- One
Show answer
Answer: A. Two
One 20-B extinguisher may be carried in place of two required 5-B extinguishers.
Question 13 of 25
What does "not under command" mean in the Navigation Rules?
- A vessel with no licensed captain on board at the time
- A vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
- A vessel that is going faster than the posted speed limit
- A vessel that is anchored or tied to a mooring buoy
Show answer
Answer: B. A vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
A vessel not under command cannot keep out of the way because of an exceptional circumstance. Other vessels, including sailboats, must keep clear of it.
Question 14 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 15 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 16 of 25
What does an engine cut-off switch link do?
- Stops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm
- Locks the steering wheel when you are not aboard
- Turns on the navigation lights automatically
- Starts the bilge blower before the engine starts
Show answer
Answer: A. Stops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm
The lanyard links the operator to the switch. If the operator is thrown from the helm, the link pulls free and the engine shuts off.
Question 17 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 18 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 19 of 25
On inland waters, what do two short blasts mean when two power-driven vessels meet or cross in sight of each other?
- "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
- "I intend to leave you on my port side"
- "I am leaving the dock"
- "I am anchored"
Show answer
Answer: A. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
Under Inland Rule 34, two short blasts mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard side".
Question 20 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 21 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 22 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 23 of 25
Another vessel sounds at least five short, rapid blasts. What does it mean?
- It agrees with your plan and will hold its course
- It is about to anchor in the middle of the channel
- It is greeting you and inviting you to pass
- It doubts your intentions or your action to avoid a collision
Show answer
Answer: D. It doubts your intentions or your action to avoid a collision
Five or more short, rapid blasts is the doubt or danger signal. Slow down and make your intentions clear.
Question 24 of 25
For which activities does the Coast Guard recommend wearing a life jacket, and many states require it?
- Only fishing from a dock or a pier
- Only when the boat is anchored offshore
- Only boating after dark on large lakes
- Water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding
Show answer
Answer: D. Water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding
The Coast Guard recommends wearing a life jacket for high-risk activities like water skiing, PWC riding, whitewater and sailboarding, and many states require it.
Question 25 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.

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