Washington Boater Education Card Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

Practice test 6 of 6 for the Washington Boater Education Card Practice Test: 20 more questions with answers and explanations.

Boating
Washington
133 questions
Checked October 10, 2026

Question 1 of 20
On a regulatory marker, what does an orange square or rectangle mean?
- It gives information, such as directions
- Danger ahead, such as rocks
- Boats must keep out of the area
- A speed limit applies in the area
Show answer
Answer: A. It gives information, such as directions
Squares give information. Diamonds warn of danger, diamonds with a cross mean keep out, and circles mark controlled areas.
Question 2 of 20
A large ship can only operate safely inside a narrow channel. What must a small recreational boat do?
- Hold course because small boats have right of way
- Not get in its way
- Stop in the channel and wait
- Cross in front of it to show its position
Show answer
Answer: B. Not get in its way
Vessels under 20 meters (65.6 feet) and sailing vessels must not impede a vessel that can navigate safely only within a narrow channel.
Question 3 of 20
Which compartments need a powered exhaust blower?
- Only compartments used to store life jackets and lines
- Those with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor
- Every compartment on every boat, of any kind
- Only cabins that have a toilet or a sink
Show answer
Answer: B. Those with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor
A powered blower is required for compartments with a permanently installed gasoline engine that has a cranking motor for remote starting.
Question 4 of 20
Instead of a lanyard, what other type of engine cut-off device is approved?
- A warning sticker placed on the dashboard
- A loud alarm that sounds but does not stop the engine
- A rope tied between the helm and the ladder
- A wireless fob that stops the engine in water
Show answer
Answer: D. A wireless fob that stops the engine in water
Wireless engine cut-off devices, worn by the operator, stop the engine when the fob goes into the water.
Question 5 of 20
Which feature means a boat must carry a fire extinguisher?
- Permanently installed fuel tanks
- A swim ladder at the stern
- A locker for the anchor and line
- A canvas bimini top for shade
Show answer
Answer: A. Permanently installed fuel tanks
Extinguishers are required on boats with features such as closed compartments where fuel tanks may be stored, permanently installed fuel tanks or closed living spaces.
Question 6 of 20
You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this green buoy?
- On your port (left) side
- On your starboard (right) side
- On either side
- Directly ahead of you
Show answer
Answer: A. On your port (left) side
Green lateral markers mark the port side of the channel when you return from sea. Keep them on your left.
Question 7 of 20
What is a "safe speed"?
- A speed that lets you stop or turn in time
- The speed posted at the nearest launch ramp
- Any speed under 10 mph, in all conditions
- The highest speed your boat can safely reach
Show answer
Answer: A. A speed that lets you stop or turn in time
Safe speed depends on visibility, traffic, wind, waves and your boat. You must be able to avoid a collision and stop in time.
Question 8 of 20
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 9 of 20
On inland waters, you want to overtake a power-driven vessel and pass on its starboard side. What signal do you give?
- Two short blasts
- One short blast
- One prolonged blast
- Three short blasts
Show answer
Answer: B. One short blast
Inland, one short blast means "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side". Two short blasts mean "on your port side".
Question 10 of 20
You see this red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does it mean?
- The beach ahead is private property
- Shallow water ahead; boats should turn back
- Divers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
- A water-ski course is set up in this area
Show answer
Answer: C. Divers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
The diver-down flag marks an area where people are diving. State laws set how far away boats must stay.
Question 11 of 20
You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this red buoy?
- On your port (left) side
- On either side
- Only on your left at night
- On your starboard (right) side
Show answer
Answer: D. On your starboard (right) side
Remember "red, right, returning": keep red markers on your starboard side when returning from sea.
Question 12 of 20
This white buoy with a blue band is a mooring buoy. What is it for?
- Warning of a hidden rock
- Marking the right side of a channel
- Marking a no-wake zone
- Tying up or securing a boat
Show answer
Answer: D. Tying up or securing a boat
Mooring buoys are white with a horizontal blue band. They are made for boats to tie up to.
Question 13 of 20
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 14 of 20
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 15 of 20
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 16 of 20
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 17 of 20
Why is sudden immersion in cold water so dangerous in the first minutes?
- Your body freezes solid within seconds
- Cold water is much harder to float in
- Life jackets stop working in cold water
- Cold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water
Show answer
Answer: D. Cold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water
Sudden immersion triggers a gasp reflex and fast breathing. Without a life jacket, you can inhale water and drown before hypothermia even starts.
Question 18 of 20
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 19 of 20
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 20 of 20
Which check is part of keeping a fire extinguisher "good and serviceable"?
- The gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
- The extinguisher has been tested by using it once
- The label has been removed so it fits the bracket
- The nozzle is taped shut to keep out dirt
Show answer
Answer: A. The gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
A serviceable extinguisher has its gauge in the operable range, its lock pin in place, a clear nozzle and no serious corrosion or damage.

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