Arkansas Boater Education Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   In Arkansas, who must complete an approved boater education course before operating a motorboat?

   • AAnyone born on or after January 1, 1996
   • BOnly people under 18
   • COnly out-of-state visitors
   • DAnyone born on or after January 1, 1986
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986

   The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) requires boater education for operators born on or after January 1, 1986.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Sam was born in 1990 and only wants to use the electric trolling motor on his fishing boat in Arkansas. Does he need boater education?

   • ANo, trolling motors are exempt
   • BOnly if he fishes at night
   • CNo, only boats over 50 hp count
   • DYes, the rule applies to any motorboat, even with only a trolling motor
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Yes, the rule applies to any motorboat, even with only a trolling motor

   The AGFC says the boater education rule applies before operating any motorboat, even when only a trolling motor is used.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Does Arkansas's boater education rule apply to visitors from other states?

   • AYes, it applies to residents and nonresidents alike
   • BOnly on Lake Ouachita
   • COnly to visitors staying more than 90 days in the state
   • DNo, only to Arkansas residents
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Yes, it applies to residents and nonresidents alike

   The Arkansas handbook says the birth-date rule applies to residents and nonresidents.

4. Question 4 of 25

   A visitor has a NASBLA-approved boater education certificate from another state. Is it valid in Arkansas?

   • AYes, a valid NASBLA-approved certificate from another state is accepted
   • BOnly if it was issued in a neighboring state
   • COnly for PWCs
   • DNo, only AGFC certificates count
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Yes, a valid NASBLA-approved certificate from another state is accepted

   Arkansas accepts an AGFC-approved course certificate or a valid NASBLA-approved certificate from another state.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How long is an Arkansas boater education certification good for?

   • AFor 3 years
   • BFor life
   • CUntil age 21
   • DFor 5 years
   Show answer

   Answer: B. For life

   The AGFC says boater education certification is good for life, and a physical card is optional.

6. Question 6 of 25

   How long is the AGFC instructor-led boater education course?

   • A40 hours, with an on-water driving exam
   • B1 hour, with no test
   • CAbout 10 hours, ending with a test
   • DTwo full weeks
   Show answer

   Answer: C. About 10 hours, ending with a test

   The traditional AGFC course runs about 10 hours over a few evenings or a full Saturday, and the final class ends with a test.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A 10-year-old in Arkansas wants to drive a boat with a 25 hp motor. What is required?

   • AIt is never allowed
   • BDirect supervision by a person at least 18
   • CNothing; there is no age rule
   • DSupervision by a person at least 14 who sits on shore
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Direct supervision by a person at least 18

   The AGFC says a motorboat of 10 hp or more may be operated by someone under 12 only under the direct supervision of a person at least 18.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does Arkansas require for an 11-year-old to operate a personal watercraft?

   • AA certificate only
   • BDirect supervision by a person at least 21
   • CIt is never allowed
   • DDirect supervision by a person at least 16
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Direct supervision by a person at least 21

   Arkansas allows a PWC operator under 12 only under direct supervision by someone at least 21.

9. Question 9 of 25

   A 14-year-old in Arkansas wants to operate a PWC. What is the rule?

   • AThey must be under direct supervision of a person at least 18
   • BThey may operate alone at any time
   • CThey must wait until 16 with no exceptions
   • DThey need a person at least 25 on shore
   Show answer

   Answer: A. They must be under direct supervision of a person at least 18

   In Arkansas, PWC operators aged 12 to 15 need direct supervision by someone at least 18. At 16 they may operate alone if they meet the education rule.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What is the minimum age to rent a PWC from an Arkansas rental livery?

    • A12
    • B18
    • C14
    • D16
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 18

    The Arkansas handbook says rental liveries may not rent a PWC to anyone under 18.

11. Question 11 of 25

    In Arkansas, which children must wear a life jacket on a boat?

    • AChildren 12 and under
    • BChildren under 16
    • CChildren under 6
    • DOnly children who cannot swim
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Children 12 and under

    Arkansas requires children 12 and under to wear a life jacket at all times on any vessel, except in some enclosed or railed areas while the boat is not underway.

12. Question 12 of 25

    During what hours may a PWC be operated in Arkansas?

    • AFrom one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
    • BFrom 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • CAny time of day or night, as long as it has working navigation lights
    • DFrom sunrise to noon
    Show answer

    Answer: A. From one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset

    Arkansas limits PWC operation to the time from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does Arkansas law say about a PWC jumping another boat's wake?

    • AIt is legal if the other boat is slow
    • BIt is illegal only on rivers
    • CIt is illegal to become airborne crossing a wake within 100 feet of that boat
    • DIt is always legal
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It is illegal to become airborne crossing a wake within 100 feet of that boat

    Arkansas makes it illegal for a PWC to leave the water while crossing another vessel's wake within 100 feet of that vessel.

14. Question 14 of 25

    A PWC is traveling the same direction as a boat on an Arkansas lake. Where may it NOT go faster than 10 mph?

    • AWithin 500 feet in front of the boat, in any direction
    • BWithin 100 feet behind or 50 feet beside the boat
    • CMore than 200 feet away
    • DAnywhere in open water
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Within 100 feet behind or 50 feet beside the boat

    Arkansas prohibits PWCs from going over 10 mph within 100 feet to the rear or 50 feet to the side of a boat moving the same way, unless the channel is too narrow.

15. Question 15 of 25

    How close may a PWC come to a person fishing from shore in Arkansas at more than no-wake speed?

    • ANo closer than 100 feet
    • BNo closer than 25 feet
    • CNo closer than 10 feet from the bank
    • DThere is no rule
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No closer than 100 feet

    Arkansas requires PWCs to stay at no-wake speed within 100 feet of an anchored or moored boat, shoreline, dock, swimmer or person fishing.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How many people must a PWC be rated to carry if it is towing a skier in Arkansas?

    • AAt least one
    • BAt least three
    • CAt least five, including the skier
    • DAt least two
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least three

    An Arkansas PWC that tows must be rated for at least three people: the operator, an observer and the skier.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What are Arkansas's observer rules for towing a skier?

    • ANo observer is needed if the operator is over 18
    • BAn observer at least 12 must be aboard; a wide-angle mirror may replace the observer on a motorboat but not on a PWC
    • CA mirror always replaces the observer
    • DAny passenger of any age may observe
    Show answer

    Answer: B. An observer at least 12 must be aboard; a wide-angle mirror may replace the observer on a motorboat but not on a PWC

    Arkansas requires an observer at least 12 years old. A wide-angle convex rearview mirror can replace the observer on motorboats, but not on PWCs.

18. Question 18 of 25

    When is towing a skier illegal in Arkansas, outside lit and designated night-ski areas?

    • AOnly after midnight
    • BFrom one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise
    • COn Sundays
    • DFrom noon to 2 p.m.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. From one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise

    Arkansas bans towing from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except in lit, designated night-skiing areas.

19. Question 19 of 25

    At what blood alcohol level is a boat operator under 21 considered intoxicated in Arkansas?

    • A0.08
    • B0.05
    • C0.02
    • D0.10
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 0.02

    Arkansas treats 0.08 as intoxicated for adults and 0.02 for operators under 21.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What can happen if an Arkansas boat operator refuses an alcohol test when an officer has reasonable cause?

    • ANothing, because testing is always voluntary for boat operators
    • BThe boat is sold at auction
    • CLoss of boating and driving privileges for up to 6 months
    • DA warning only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Loss of boating and driving privileges for up to 6 months

    Under Arkansas implied consent, refusing a test can cost operating and driving privileges for up to 6 months.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which Arkansas boats must have liability insurance?

    • AOnly rental boats
    • BNo boats need insurance
    • COnly boats over 26 feet
    • DMotorboats over 50 horsepower and all personal watercraft
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Motorboats over 50 horsepower and all personal watercraft

    The AGFC says insurance is required for motorboats above 50 hp and for all personal watercraft.

22. Question 22 of 25

    How long is an Arkansas Certificate of Number valid?

    • AOne year
    • BFive years from the date of purchase
    • CFor life
    • DThree years
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Three years

    An Arkansas Certificate of Number is valid for three years.

23. Question 23 of 25

    You just bought a boat in Arkansas. How soon must you apply for registration?

    • ABefore your next birthday, at any county revenue office in the state
    • BWithin 30 days, carrying dated proof of purchase until then
    • CWithin 1 year
    • DWithin 6 months
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Within 30 days, carrying dated proof of purchase until then

    Arkansas requires you to apply within 30 days of purchase, and you may operate during that time with dated proof of purchase on board.

24. Question 24 of 25

    On an Arkansas motorboat 26 feet or shorter with no railings, where may passengers NOT ride while underway?

    • AIn the seats
    • BNear the stern inside the boat
    • CNext to the operator
    • DOn the bow, the gunwales or the decking over the bow
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On the bow, the gunwales or the decking over the bow

    Arkansas makes it illegal to ride on the bow, gunwales or bow decking of a motorboat 26 feet or less while underway unless railings or guards are installed.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What does Arkansas law say about glass containers on canoes, kayaks and inner tubes?

    • AThey are allowed if kept in a cooler
    • BThey are banned within the banks of navigable waterways, except for prescribed medicine containers
    • CThey are allowed for adults only
    • DThere is no rule about glass
    Show answer

    Answer: B. They are banned within the banks of navigable waterways, except for prescribed medicine containers

    Arkansas bans glass containers aboard canoes, kayaks and inner tubes within the banks of navigable waterways, except prescription medicine containers.

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