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Boater Safety Exam Practice (US) 2026

There is no single national boating license in the United States. Each state sets its own boater education rules, and most approved courses follow national standards. This practice test covers the federal rules and national topics those courses teach.

  • Navigation
  • États-Unis
  • 120 questions
  • Vérifié le 10 octobre 2026

En bref

Pour réussir : No single national exam. Each state sets its own education rules and approves its courses and exams. Organisé par : State boating law agencies (federal equipment rules: U.S. Coast Guard). Entraînez-vous ici gratuitement avec 120 questions, chacune avec la réponse et une explication. Vérifié à partir des sources officielles le 10 octobre 2026.

À lire avant de vous entraînerCommencez par le guide « US Boater Safety Study Guide » : des notes en langage clair, des schémas et les chiffres à retenir.

  1. Question 1 sur 25

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

    Réponse: 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.

  2. Question 2 sur 25

    What should the stand-on vessel do in a crossing situation?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: A. Keep its course and speed

    The stand-on vessel holds its course and speed so the give-way vessel can predict its path.

  3. Question 3 sur 25

    How should a give-way vessel act?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. Early and with a large, obvious change of course or speed

    The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action so the other operator can clearly see what it is doing.

  4. Question 4 sur 25

    Two powerboats meet head-on. What should each operator do?
    AB
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. Turn to starboard and pass port side to port side

    In a head-on meeting, each vessel alters course to starboard so they pass port to port.

  5. Question 5 sur 25

    Boat A is overtaking boat B from behind. Which boat must keep clear?
    AB
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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.

  6. Question 6 sur 25

    A sailboat under sail (A) and a powerboat (B) are on crossing courses. Which one is the give-way vessel?
    AB
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. The powerboat, B

    A power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of a sailing vessel, unless the sailboat is overtaking it.

  7. Question 7 sur 25

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

    Réponse: A. As a power-driven vessel

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

  8. Question 8 sur 25

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

    Réponse: 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.

  9. Question 9 sur 25

    In a narrow channel, which side should you keep to?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: A. The starboard (right) side

    In a narrow channel, keep as near to the outer edge on your starboard side as is safe.

  10. Question 10 sur 25

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

    Réponse: 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.

  11. Question 11 sur 25

    What must every operator do at all times to avoid collisions?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. Keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing

    Every vessel must keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing, and by all available means, at all times.

  12. Question 12 sur 25

    What is a "safe speed"?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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.

  13. Question 13 sur 25

    How can you tell that you are on a collision course with another boat?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: A. Its compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer

    If an approaching vessel's bearing does not change much while the distance closes, a risk of collision exists.

  14. Question 14 sur 25

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

    Réponse: 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.

  15. Question 15 sur 25

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

    Réponse: 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.

  16. Question 16 sur 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?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: 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 sur 25

    On inland waters, a power-driven vessel meeting you sounds one short blast. What does it mean?
    1234
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. "I intend to leave you on my port side"

    Under Inland Rule 34, one short blast means "I intend to leave you on my port side". If you agree, answer with one short blast.

  18. Question 18 sur 25

    On inland waters, what do two short blasts mean when two power-driven vessels meet or cross in sight of each other?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: A. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"

    Under Inland Rule 34, two short blasts mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard side".

  19. Question 19 sur 25

    What do three short blasts mean?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: A. "I am operating astern propulsion"

    Three short blasts mean the vessel is operating astern propulsion, such as backing its engines.

  20. Question 20 sur 25

    Another vessel sounds at least five short, rapid blasts. What does it mean?
    1234
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: D. It doubts your intentions or your action to avoid a collision

    Five or more short, rapid blasts is the doubt or danger signal. Slow down and make your intentions clear.

  21. Question 21 sur 25

    You approach a river bend where you cannot see around the corner. What signal should you sound on inland waters?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: C. One prolonged blast

    A vessel nearing a bend or obstructed area sounds one prolonged blast. Any vessel around the bend that hears it answers with a prolonged blast.

  22. Question 22 sur 25

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

    Réponse: C. One prolonged blast

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

  23. Question 23 sur 25

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

    Réponse: 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".

  24. Question 24 sur 25

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

    Réponse: 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.

  25. Question 25 sur 25

    Two vessels agree by VHF radio how they will pass each other. Do they still have to sound whistle signals?
    Voir la réponse

    Réponse: B. No, but they may

    Vessels that reach agreement by radio do not have to sound the whistle signals. If they cannot agree, whistle signals must be exchanged and they prevail.

À savoir avant l’examen

  • Every boat needs one Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket per person. Boats 16 feet and longer, except canoes and kayaks, also need a throwable device.
  • Under the federal rule, children under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin. A state rule, where one exists, applies on that state's waters.
  • Since April 20, 2022, extinguishers rated 5-B or larger meet the requirement. Disposable extinguishers must be removed from service 12 years after manufacture.
  • Since April 1, 2021, operators of covered boats under 26 feet must use the engine cut-off switch link when on plane or above displacement speed.
  • Operating a boat with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher violates federal law.
  • Accidents involving death, disappearance, injury beyond first aid, damage of $2,000 or more, or loss of a boat must be reported.

Questions fréquentes

Is there a national boating license in the US?

No. Each state sets its own boater education rules. Federal law sets the minimum equipment rules and the Navigation Rules that apply everywhere.

What equipment does the Coast Guard require on a small powerboat?

Typically a wearable life jacket for each person, a throwable device if 16 feet or longer, a sound-producing device, navigation lights for night use, and, depending on the boat, fire extinguishers, ventilation, a backfire flame arrester and visual distress signals.

What does "red, right, returning" mean?

When you return from sea or head upstream, keep red buoys on your right (starboard) side and green buoys on your left.

When must a boating accident be reported?

When someone dies, disappears or needs more than first aid, when damage is $2,000 or more, or when a boat is lost. Reports are due within 48 hours for injuries, deaths within 24 hours and disappearances, and within 10 days otherwise.

Does this test cover my state's rules?

This test covers national rules. State practice tests for Florida, California, Texas, New York, North Carolina, Washington, Virginia, Ohio, Oregon add questions on each state's own laws.

Sources

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