Alabama Boating License Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 20

   Where must the registration number be displayed on a numbered boat?

   • AInside the cabin, near the helm
   • BOn each side of the forward half of the boat
   • COn the windshield, facing forward
   • DOn the transom only, below the motor
   Show answer

   Answer: B. On each side of the forward half of the boat

   Registration numbers go on both sides of the forward half of the hull, reading left to right.

2. Question 2 of 20

   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.

3. Question 3 of 20

   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.

4. Question 4 of 20

   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.

5. Question 5 of 20

   Your boat is 70 feet long and has a toilet. Which marine sanitation device types may it use?

   • ANo device is required
   • BType I only
   • CType I, II or III
   • DType II or Type III
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Type II or Type III

   Vessels 65 feet and under may use a Type I, II or III device. Vessels over 65 feet must use Type II or III.

6. Question 6 of 20

   What does this white marker with an orange circle mean?

   • AA controlled area; here, no wake
   • BDanger from rocks right below
   • CBoats must keep out of the area
   • DDirections to a nearby marina
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A controlled area; here, no wake

   An orange circle marks a controlled area, such as a no-wake or speed-limit zone. The rule is written inside the circle.

7. Question 7 of 20

   What kind of numbers do green can buoys like this carry?

   • ANumbers ending in zero
   • BOdd numbers
   • CLetters only
   • DEven numbers
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Odd numbers

   Green lateral markers carry odd numbers. Red markers carry even numbers.

8. Question 8 of 20

   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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 20

    A person goes missing from your boat. Who must you notify right away?

    • AThe nearest state boating authority
    • BThe company that built your boat
    • CNobody until the written report is due
    • DYour insurance company only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The nearest state boating authority

    For a death or a missing person, notify the nearest state boating authority immediately, then file the written report.

11. Question 11 of 20

    During the day, what shape does a vessel at anchor display?

    • ATwo red balls on the mast
    • BAn orange flag at the stern
    • CA black ball near the bow
    • DA black cone, point down
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A black ball near the bow

    An anchored vessel shows a black ball forward by day and an all-round white light at night. Vessels under 7 meters away from channels and anchorages are generally exempt.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 of 20

    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.

14. Question 14 of 20

    Your state has a different child life jacket age than the federal rule. Which rule applies on that state's waters?

    • AThe federal rule always
    • BThe state rule
    • CWhichever age is higher
    • DNeither; you may choose
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The state rule

    Where a state sets its own child life jacket requirement, the state rule applies on waters under that state's jurisdiction.

15. Question 15 of 20

    You are leaving a harbor and heading out to sea. Where should red buoys like this be?

    • AOn your port (left) side
    • BIn the middle of your path
    • CIt does not matter
    • DOn your starboard (right) side
    Show answer

    Answer: A. On your port (left) side

    Red is kept on the right when returning, so when heading out to sea the red markers are on your left.

16. Question 16 of 20

    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.

17. Question 17 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
    Show answer

    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.

18. Question 18 of 20

    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.

19. Question 19 of 20

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

    • AKeep its course and speed
    • BSpeed up to get clear faster
    • CStop its engine right away
    • DTurn toward the other boat
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep its course and speed

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

20. Question 20 of 20

    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.

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