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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.

  • Varen
  • Verenigde Staten
  • 120 vragen
  • Gecontroleerd op 10 oktober 2026

Kort antwoord

Geslaagd: No single national exam. Each state sets its own education rules and approves its courses and exams. Afgenomen door: State boating law agencies (federal equipment rules: U.S. Coast Guard). Oefen hier gratis met 120 vragen, elk met het antwoord en een uitleg. Gecontroleerd aan de hand van officiële bronnen op 10 oktober 2026.

Lees dit voordat je gaat oefenenBegin met de US Boater Safety Study Guide: notities in begrijpelijke taal, schema’s en de getallen die je moet onthouden.

  1. Vraag 1 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 2 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 3 van 25

    How should a give-way vessel act?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 4 van 25

    Two powerboats meet head-on. What should each operator do?
    AB
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 5 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 6 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 7 van 25

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

    Antwoord: A. As a power-driven vessel

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

  8. Vraag 8 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 9 van 25

    In a narrow channel, which side should you keep to?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: A. The starboard (right) side

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

  10. Vraag 10 van 25

    A large ship can only operate safely inside a narrow channel. What must a small recreational boat do?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 11 van 25

    What must every operator do at all times to avoid collisions?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 12 van 25

    What is a "safe speed"?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 13 van 25

    How can you tell that you are on a collision course with another boat?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 14 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 15 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 16 van 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?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 17 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 18 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 19 van 25

    What do three short blasts mean?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: A. "I am operating astern propulsion"

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

  20. Vraag 20 van 25

    Another vessel sounds at least five short, rapid blasts. What does it mean?
    1234
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 21 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 22 van 25

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

    Antwoord: C. One prolonged blast

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

  23. Vraag 23 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 24 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 25 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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.

Wat je moet weten voor het 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.

Veelgestelde vragen

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.

Bronnen

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