Arkansas Boater Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   On inland waters, you want to overtake a power-driven vessel and pass on its starboard side. What signal do you give?

   • ATwo short blasts
   • BOne short blast
   • COne prolonged blast
   • DThree 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".

2. Question 2 of 25

   Why is a personal watercraft operator's lanyard attached to their body or life jacket?

   • ASo the PWC can be anchored
   • BSo the engine stops if the rider falls off
   • CSo the lights turn on automatically
   • DSo the rider can tow a tube
   Show answer

   Answer: B. So the engine stops if the rider falls off

   If the rider falls off, the lanyard pulls the cut-off switch and the engine stops, so the PWC does not keep going without them.

3. Question 3 of 25

   You are alone in cold water wearing a life jacket and cannot climb out. What should you do?

   • ASplash and kick constantly to stay visible
   • BTake off your life jacket so you can move freely
   • CSwim hard in circles to keep your body warm
   • DFold your arms, cross your legs and float still
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Fold your arms, cross your legs and float still

   The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) reduces heat loss. Swim only if safety is very close.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Boat B is crossing from boat A's starboard (right) side. Which boat is the give-way vessel?

   • ABoat A
   • BWhichever boat is faster
   • CBoat B
   • DNeither; both must stop
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Boat A

   When two power-driven vessels cross, the one that has the other on its starboard side must keep out of the way. Boat A slows or turns right to pass behind B.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What kind of numbers do red nun buoys like this carry?

   • AOdd numbers
   • BEven numbers
   • CLetters only
   • DNo numbers
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Even numbers

   Red lateral markers carry even numbers, and the numbers increase as you head in from sea.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Two sailboats meet with the wind on different sides. Which must keep clear?

   • AThe boat with the wind on its port side
   • BThe boat with the wind on its starboard side
   • CThe larger sailboat
   • DThe boat that is to leeward
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The boat with the wind on its port side

   When sailing vessels have the wind on different sides, the one with the wind on its port side keeps out of the way.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Older B-I and B-II extinguishers are still accepted on which boats?

   • AAll boats, of any model year
   • BOnly boats built in 2018 or later
   • CBoats built in model year 2017 or earlier
   • DOnly personal watercraft of any year
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Boats built in model year 2017 or earlier

   Coast Guard B-I and B-II extinguishers are acceptable only on vessels built in model year 2017 or earlier.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You see this marker with an orange circle and the number 10 inside. What does it tell you?

   • AA speed limit applies in the area
   • B10 boats may anchor here
   • CIt is buoy number 10 in the channel
   • DThe water is 10 feet deep
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A speed limit applies in the area

   A circle marks a controlled area. A number inside shows the speed limit that applies.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for daytime use only?

   • AAn orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet
   • BA white all-round anchor light
   • CAn electric distress light
   • DA green flashlight, held up high
   Show answer

   Answer: A. An orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet

   An orange distress flag is a day signal. An electric distress light is a night signal.

10. Question 10 of 25

    You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this red buoy?

    • AOn your port (left) side
    • BOn either side
    • COnly on your left at night
    • DOn 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Which kind of life jacket is the right choice for riding a personal watercraft?

    • AA non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use
    • BA throwable cushion held on your lap
    • CNo life jacket is needed on a PWC
    • DAn inflatable belt pack
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A non-inflatable life jacket rated for PWC use

    Most inflatable life jackets are not approved for PWC use. Wear a properly sized, inherently buoyant life jacket meant for PWC riding.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Which vessels are exempt from carrying day visual distress signals?

    • AAny boat that has a working VHF radio
    • BBoats with inboard gasoline engines
    • CManually propelled boats, such as canoes
    • DAll boats over 26 feet with a cabin
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Manually propelled boats, such as canoes

    Manually propelled boats, boats under 16 feet, open sailboats under 26 feet without propulsion, and boats in organized events are exempt from day signals.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which light does a boat show when anchored at night?

    • AAn all-round red light
    • BIts red and green sidelights
    • CAn all-round white light
    • DA flashing yellow light
    Show answer

    Answer: C. An all-round white light

    A vessel at anchor shows an all-round white light at night and a black ball by day.

16. Question 16 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?

    • ATurn off your engine and drift
    • BSound one prolonged blast and keep going
    • CTake action to avoid the collision
    • DHold 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.

17. 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?

    • 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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which boating accident must be reported to the state?

    • AOne where someone needs more than first aid
    • BA scratch to the hull that costs $100 to fix
    • CAny time a fishing line breaks on a snag
    • DAny time a boat runs out of fuel on the water
    Show answer

    Answer: A. One where someone needs more than first aid

    A report is required for a death, a disappearance, an injury needing more than first aid, damage of $2,000 or more, or the complete loss of a boat.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does this white marker with an open orange diamond mean?

    • ADanger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
    • BBoats may not enter the area
    • CA safe place to anchor overnight
    • DA speed limit applies here
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Danger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam

    An orange diamond warns of danger. The danger may be described in black letters on the marker.

20. Question 20 of 25

    During the day, a sailboat using its engine with its sails up should display what?

    • AA black cone with its point down
    • BAn orange flag on the mast
    • CA red pennant at the stern
    • DA black ball in the rigging
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A black cone with its point down

    A sailing vessel under power displays a cone, apex down, by day. It is not required for vessels under 12 meters on inland waters.

21. Question 21 of 25

    A friend lifts your life jacket at the shoulders and it stays below your chin. What does this show?

    • AIt fits properly
    • BIt is the wrong color
    • CIt is too loose
    • DIt needs to be inflated
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It fits properly

    A properly fitted life jacket stays in place when lifted at the shoulders. If it rides up over your chin or ears, it is too loose.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which boats must also carry a throwable flotation device?

    • AOnly canoes and kayaks, of any length
    • BOnly boats over 40 feet used on the ocean
    • CAll boats of any length, including paddleboards
    • DBoats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks

    Boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry one throwable device (Type IV).

23. Question 23 of 25

    Light 4 in the diagram is the white sternlight. How wide is its arc?

    • A225 degrees, toward the front
    • B360 degrees, all around
    • C112.5 degrees, on one side
    • D135 degrees, toward the back
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 135 degrees, toward the back

    The sternlight shines over 135 degrees behind the boat. The masthead light covers 225 degrees forward.

24. Question 24 of 25

    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.

25. Question 25 of 25

    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.

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