Arkansas Boater Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   Several people are in cold water wearing life jackets. How can they stay warmer?

   • ASpread out to be seen
   • BFloat on their backs far apart
   • CHuddle close together
   • DTake turns swimming laps
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Huddle close together

   The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which engines must have a Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrester?

   • ADiesel engines only
   • BGasoline inboard engines
   • CElectric trolling motors
   • DAll 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.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Instead of a lanyard, what other type of engine cut-off device is approved?

   • AA warning sticker placed on the dashboard
   • BA loud alarm that sounds but does not stop the engine
   • CA rope tied between the helm and the ladder
   • DA 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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   How many wearable life jackets must a recreational boat carry?

   • AOne for every two people on board
   • BOne approved life jacket for each person
   • CTwo for the whole boat, of any size
   • DOne for the operator only
   Show answer

   Answer: B. One approved life jacket for each person

   Federal rules require one wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard.

5. Question 5 of 25

   In this diagram, what color is the port sidelight (light 1)?

   • AYellow
   • BWhite
   • CGreen
   • DRed
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Red

   The port sidelight is red and the starboard sidelight is green.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Your flares expired last year. Do they count toward the requirement?

   • AYes, for up to 5 years after expiry
   • BYes, if they are kept dry
   • CNo, expired pyrotechnics do not count
   • DYes, 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.

7. Question 7 of 25

   This white buoy with a blue band is a mooring buoy. What is it for?

   • AWarning of a hidden rock
   • BMarking the right side of a channel
   • CMarking a no-wake zone
   • DTying 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You are in a No Discharge Zone. What must you do with your marine sanitation device?

   • ADischarge only sewage that has been treated
   • BRemove the toilet from the boat completely
   • CSecure it so it cannot discharge, such as with a padlock
   • DDischarge only at night when no one is swimming
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Secure it so it cannot discharge, such as with a padlock

   In a No Discharge Zone, no sewage may be discharged, and the device must be secured, such as with a padlocked valve or locked door.

9. Question 9 of 25

   A large ship can only operate safely inside a narrow channel. What must a small recreational boat do?

   • AHold course because small boats have right of way
   • BNot get in its way
   • CStop in the channel and wait
   • DCross 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Which compartments need a powered exhaust blower?

    • AOnly compartments used to store life jackets and lines
    • BThose with a gasoline engine that has a remote-start motor
    • CEvery compartment on every boat, of any kind
    • DOnly 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What is the maximum federal criminal penalty for boating under the influence?

    • AA written warning, with no fine
    • BUp to $5,000, one year in prison, or both
    • CLoss of your car driver license only
    • DA 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    On a regulatory marker, what does an orange square or rectangle mean?

    • AIt gives information, such as directions
    • BDanger ahead, such as rocks
    • CBoats must keep out of the area
    • DA 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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does a yellow buoy like this tell you?

    • ADanger: rocks are right below the buoy
    • BIt marks a special area, not a channel side
    • CThere is safe water all around it
    • DKeep it on your right when returning
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It marks a special area, not a channel side

    Special marks are yellow. They point out a special area or feature and are not lateral channel markers.

14. Question 14 of 25

    This marker shows a diamond with a cross and the words "SWIM AREA". What must boaters do?

    • AKeep it on your right when returning
    • BKeep out of the marked swimming area
    • CAnchor there to swim
    • DSlow 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What amount of property damage makes a boating accident reportable?

    • A$2,000 or more
    • B$10,000 or more
    • C$500 or more
    • D$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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this buoy with red and white vertical stripes mark?

    • ASafe water, such as the middle of a channel
    • BA place where boats may not go
    • CA swimming area
    • DA 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.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Your boat is 14 feet long and you are on coastal waters. Which visual distress signals are required?

    • ADay and night signals at all times on the water
    • BNo signals at any time, because it is under 16 feet
    • CDay signals only, when out between sunrise and sunset
    • DNight 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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does this black buoy with a red band and two black balls on top mean?

    • AThe center of a safe channel or fairway
    • BAn isolated danger with safe water around it
    • CA mooring area where boats may tie up
    • DThe 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What sound signal does a sailing vessel give in fog or other restricted visibility?

    • AOne prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less
    • BContinuous blasts on the horn until the fog lifts
    • COne short blast, repeated once every minute
    • DTwo prolonged blasts, at least every 2 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. One prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less

    A sailing vessel in restricted visibility sounds one prolonged and two short blasts at intervals of no more than 2 minutes.

20. Question 20 of 25

    On inland waters, what signal does a power-driven vessel sound when it leaves a dock or berth?

    • AOne short blast
    • BTwo prolonged blasts
    • COne prolonged blast
    • DFive short blasts
    Show answer

    Answer: C. One prolonged blast

    A power-driven vessel leaving a dock or berth sounds one prolonged blast.

21. Question 21 of 25

    When must recreational boats show navigation lights?

    • AOnly when other boats are close by
    • BFrom sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility
    • COnly on nights when there is no moon
    • DOnly on the ocean, not on lakes or rivers
    Show answer

    Answer: B. From sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility

    Navigation lights are required between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Where should swimmers stay away from while a boat's engine or generator is running?

    • AThe shoreline and shallow water nearby
    • BThe bow, where the anchor is stored
    • CThe swim platform and the back of the boat
    • DThe anchor line at the front of the boat
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The swim platform and the back of the boat

    Exhaust gases with carbon monoxide collect near the stern and swim platform. Do not swim or sit there while engines or generators run.

23. Question 23 of 25

    If you use pyrotechnic signals to meet the requirement, how many must you carry?

    • ASix signals for night use only
    • BThree for day use and three for night use
    • CTen signals of any type, day or night
    • DOne for day use and one for night use
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Three for day use and three for night use

    Carry at least three day and three night signals. Combination day/night flares can count toward both.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What is true about carbon monoxide (CO) from boat engines?

    • AIt is safe outdoors on a boat
    • BIt only comes from diesel engines
    • CIt smells like gasoline, so it is easy to notice
    • DIt has no color or smell and can kill quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It has no color or smell and can kill quickly

    Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. It can build up around a boat, especially near the stern and swim platform, while engines or generators run.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What must a boat 12 meters (39.4 feet) or longer carry for sound signals?

    • AA referee whistle for the operator
    • BA small hand bell kept at the helm
    • CA whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile
    • DNothing beyond a working VHF radio
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile

    Vessels 12 meters or longer need a whistle (horn) audible for 1/2 nautical mile. Vessels 20 meters or longer also need a bell.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.