Colorado Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   Which boats must display a garbage placard?

   • AOnly boats over 100 feet
   • BOnly sailboats
   • CAll boats of any size
   • DBoats 26 feet and longer
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   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.

2. Question 2 of 20

   Which check is part of keeping a fire extinguisher "good and serviceable"?

   • AThe gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
   • BThe extinguisher has been tested by using it once
   • CThe label has been removed so it fits the bracket
   • DThe 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.

3. Question 3 of 20

   Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for nighttime use only?

   • AA red pennant
   • BAn orange smoke signal
   • CAn electric distress light
   • DAn orange distress flag
   Show answer

   Answer: C. An electric distress light

   An electric distress light meets the night requirement. An orange flag only counts during the day.

4. Question 4 of 20

   How old can a disposable (non-rechargeable) fire extinguisher be and still count?

   • AThere is no age limit if it is full
   • BNo more than 20 years from purchase
   • CNo more than 5 years from manufacture
   • DNo 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.

5. Question 5 of 20

   Is it legal to tie your boat to a navigation buoy?

   • ANo, it is dangerous and illegal
   • BYes, if you stay less than an hour
   • CYes, if the buoy is green
   • DYes, but only in daylight
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   Answer: A. No, it is dangerous and illegal

   Do not tie up to aids to navigation. It is dangerous and illegal, and it can hide the aid from other boaters.

6. Question 6 of 20

   Your boat is 40 feet long and you operate on U.S. inland waters. What document must you keep on board?

   • AA copy of the boat's insurance policy
   • BA copy of the Navigation Rules
   • CA map of every state you will visit
   • DA 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.

7. Question 7 of 20

   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.

8. Question 8 of 20

   Under the federal rule, which children must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway?

   • AOnly children who cannot swim, of any age
   • BUnder 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin
   • CUnder 6, but only when the boat is out at night
   • DUnder 18, at all times when they are on board
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Under 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin

   The federal rule requires children under 13 to wear an approved life jacket while underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

9. Question 9 of 20

   You row a small rowboat after dark. What light do you need?

   • AA flashing blue light on the stern
   • BA white flashlight or lantern, ready to show
   • CNo light, because it has no motor
   • DA red light mounted on the bow
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A white flashlight or lantern, ready to show

   Vessels under oars may show sailing vessel lights, or must have a white flashlight or lantern ready to show.

10. Question 10 of 20

    A 70-foot (21-meter) boat must carry which sound-producing devices?

    • AA whistle, a bell and a gong
    • BA hand-held air horn only
    • CA whistle and a bell
    • DA 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.

11. Question 11 of 20

    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.

12. Question 12 of 20

    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.

13. Question 13 of 20

    A sailboat is motoring with its engine and its sails are down. How is it treated under the Navigation Rules?

    • AAs a power-driven vessel
    • BAs a vessel not under command
    • CAs a sailing vessel
    • DAs a vessel at anchor
    Show answer

    Answer: A. As a power-driven vessel

    A sailboat using its engine is a power-driven vessel and follows the power-driven rules.

14. Question 14 of 20

    What is a "safe speed"?

    • AA speed that lets you stop or turn in time
    • BThe speed posted at the nearest launch ramp
    • CAny speed under 10 mph, in all conditions
    • DThe 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.

15. Question 15 of 20

    A vessel overtaking you on inland waters signals its plan, and you agree. What do you do?

    • ATurn toward the overtaking boat
    • BSound five short blasts
    • CDo nothing; silence means yes
    • DSound the same signal back
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Sound the same signal back

    The vessel being overtaken answers with the same signal if it agrees. If it is unsure, it sounds the danger signal of at least five short blasts.

16. Question 16 of 20

    You see this red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does it mean?

    • AThe beach ahead is private property
    • BShallow water ahead; boats should turn back
    • CDivers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
    • DA 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.

17. Question 17 of 20

    On a Coast Guard documented vessel, how tall must the name and hailing port be?

    • AAny size that can be read
    • BAt least 12 inches
    • CAt least 1 inch
    • DAt least 4 inches
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 4 inches

    Documented vessels show their name and hailing port together on the hull in letters at least 4 inches high.

18. Question 18 of 20

    For which activities does the Coast Guard recommend wearing a life jacket, and many states require it?

    • AOnly fishing from a dock or a pier
    • BOnly when the boat is anchored offshore
    • COnly boating after dark on large lakes
    • DWater 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.

19. Question 19 of 20

    Your powerboat is approaching a vessel engaged in fishing with nets. What must you do?

    • AKeep out of its way
    • BSound five short blasts and continue
    • CHold your course; it must move for you
    • DPass close to look at its gear
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep out of its way

    A power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, which has nets or gear that limit its movement.

20. Question 20 of 20

    Boat A is overtaking boat B from behind. Which boat must keep clear?

    • AThe smaller of the two boats
    • BBoat B, the boat being passed
    • CBoat A, the overtaking boat
    • DWhichever boat is closer to shore
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Boat A, the overtaking boat

    In an overtaking situation, the overtaking vessel is the give-way vessel and must keep clear until it is past.

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