Alabama Boating License Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   How long should you run the blower before starting a gasoline inboard engine?

   • AAt least 20 minutes
   • BOnly while the engine is cranking
   • CAbout 10 seconds
   • DAt least 4 minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: D. At least 4 minutes

   Boats with powered blowers carry a warning label: run the blower at least four minutes and check the bilge for gasoline vapors before starting.

2. Question 2 of 25

   You see this red flag with a white diagonal stripe. What does it mean?

   • AThe beach ahead is private property
   • BShallow water ahead; boats should turn back
   • CDivers are nearby; slow down and keep well away
   • DA water-ski course is set up in this area
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   Answer: C. Divers are nearby; slow down and keep well away

   The diver-down flag marks an area where people are diving. State laws set how far away boats must stay.

3. Question 3 of 25

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

   • AThe larger boat holds course and the smaller turns
   • BTurn to port and pass starboard to starboard
   • CBoth stop and wait for the other to move
   • DTurn to starboard and pass port side to port side
   Show answer

   Answer: 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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Under federal law, at what blood alcohol concentration is a recreational boat operator considered intoxicated?

   • A0.12 or higher
   • B0.02 or higher
   • C0.08 or higher
   • D0.15 or higher
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 0.08 or higher

   Operating a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher is a federal violation. States also have their own BUI laws.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 of 25

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

   • AIts compass bearing stays about the same as it gets closer
   • BIt is moving slower than you
   • CIts bearing changes quickly as it approaches
   • DIt is showing only a white light
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   Answer: 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What sound signal does a sailing vessel give in fog or other restricted visibility?

   • AOne prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less
   • BContinuous blasts on the horn until the fog lifts
   • COne short blast, repeated once every minute
   • DTwo prolonged blasts, at least every 2 minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: A. One prolonged and two short blasts, every 2 minutes or less

   A sailing vessel in restricted visibility sounds one prolonged and two short blasts at intervals of no more than 2 minutes.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Why is sudden immersion in cold water so dangerous in the first minutes?

    • AYour body freezes solid within seconds
    • BCold water is much harder to float in
    • CLife jackets stop working in cold water
    • DCold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water
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    Answer: D. Cold shock makes you gasp and breathe in water

    Sudden immersion triggers a gasp reflex and fast breathing. Without a life jacket, you can inhale water and drown before hypothermia even starts.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Since April 20, 2022, which fire extinguisher ratings meet carriage requirements on all recreational boats?

    • AClass D only, for metal fires
    • B1-A only, for wood and paper
    • CAny household extinguisher
    • D5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 5-B or larger, such as 5-B:C

    Extinguishers rated 5-B (for example 5-B:C or 10-B:C) or larger meet the carriage requirements for all recreational vessels.

12. Question 12 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).

13. Question 13 of 25

    If you use pyrotechnic signals to meet the requirement, how many must you carry?

    • ASix signals for night use only
    • BThree for day use and three for night use
    • CTen signals of any type, day or night
    • DOne for day use and one for night use
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Three for day use and three for night use

    Carry at least three day and three night signals. Combination day/night flares can count toward both.

14. Question 14 of 25

    When must the operator of a covered boat use the engine cut-off switch link?

    • AOnly when towing a skier or a tube
    • BWhen on plane or above displacement speed
    • COnly when docking at a marina or ramp
    • DOnly when operating after dark
    Show answer

    Answer: B. When on plane or above displacement speed

    Since April 1, 2021, operators of covered boats must use the engine cut-off switch link when running on plane or above displacement speed.

15. Question 15 of 25

    How tall must the letters and numbers of the registration number be?

    • AAt least 12 inches, in any color
    • BAt least 6 inches, in script letters
    • CAt least 3 inches, in block characters
    • DAt least 1 inch, in any style
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 3 inches, in block characters

    The registration number must be in plain block characters at least 3 inches high, in a color that contrasts with the hull.

16. Question 16 of 25

    At night you see a red and a green light straight ahead. What is happening?

    • AA vessel is heading straight toward you
    • BA vessel is moving away from you
    • CA vessel is anchored
    • DA buoy marks a channel
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A vessel is heading straight toward you

    Seeing both sidelights means the vessel is pointed at you. Treat it as a head-on meeting and turn to starboard.

17. Question 17 of 25

    A 70-foot (21-meter) boat must carry which sound-producing devices?

    • AA whistle, a bell and a gong
    • BA hand-held air horn only
    • CA whistle and a bell
    • DA whistle only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A whistle and a bell

    Vessels 20 meters or longer need a whistle and a bell. A gong is added at 100 meters or longer.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does NASBLA stand for?

    • ANorth American Society of Boat Licensing Authorities
    • BNational Association of State Boating Law Administrators
    • CNational Alliance of Sailing and Boating Leagues
    • DNational Agency for Safe Boating and Lifesaving Activities
    Show answer

    Answer: B. National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

    NASBLA is the national association of state boating law administrators. Most state boater education courses are NASBLA-approved.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Instead of a lanyard, what other type of engine cut-off device is approved?

    • AA warning sticker placed on the dashboard
    • BA loud alarm that sounds but does not stop the engine
    • CA rope tied between the helm and the ladder
    • DA wireless fob that stops the engine in water
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A wireless fob that stops the engine in water

    Wireless engine cut-off devices, worn by the operator, stop the engine when the fob goes into the water.

20. Question 20 of 25

    You row a small rowboat after dark. What light do you need?

    • AA flashing blue light on the stern
    • BA white flashlight or lantern, ready to show
    • CNo light, because it has no motor
    • DA red light mounted on the bow
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A white flashlight or lantern, ready to show

    Vessels under oars may show sailing vessel lights, or must have a white flashlight or lantern ready to show.

21. Question 21 of 25

    One 20-B fire extinguisher can replace how many required 5-B extinguishers?

    • ATwo
    • BFour
    • CThree
    • DOne
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Two

    One 20-B extinguisher may be carried in place of two required 5-B extinguishers.

22. Question 22 of 25

    How should the registration number be separated into groups?

    • AIt must be written as one long group
    • BWith a slash between letters and numbers
    • CWith a hyphen or a space the width of one letter
    • DWith periods between each character
    Show answer

    Answer: C. With a hyphen or a space the width of one letter

    Spaces or hyphens equal to the width of a letter (other than I) or number (other than 1) separate the groups.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What colors are used on regulatory and information markers?

    • ARed and white vertical stripes
    • BGreen with a wide red band in the middle
    • CBlack with one or more yellow bands
    • DWhite with orange bands at top and bottom
    Show answer

    Answer: D. White with orange bands at top and bottom

    Regulatory and information markers are white with an orange band near the top and bottom. The orange shape shows the meaning.

24. Question 24 of 25

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

    • AOne short blast
    • BTwo prolonged blasts
    • COne prolonged blast
    • DFive short blasts
    Show answer

    Answer: C. One prolonged blast

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

25. Question 25 of 25

    Several people are in cold water wearing life jackets. How can they stay warmer?

    • ASpread out to be seen
    • BFloat on their backs far apart
    • CHuddle close together
    • DTake turns swimming laps
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Huddle close together

    The huddle position reduces heat loss and keeps the group together for rescuers.

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