Delaware Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A vessel flies this blue and white flag (code flag A). What does it mean?

   • AIt is towing a skier and needs extra room
   • BIt is for sale and you may come alongside
   • CIt has divers down and cannot easily maneuver
   • DIt is anchored for the night with no one aboard
   Show answer

   Answer: C. It has divers down and cannot easily maneuver

   When a vessel engaged in diving cannot show the normal shapes, it displays a rigid replica of code flag "A" at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) high.

3. Question 3 of 25

   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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   After a boating accident, what must the operator do?

   • AStop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID
   • BWait for the other boat to call for help first
   • CLeave quickly so the area is clear for rescuers
   • DOnly call a tow company to move the boats
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop, help if safe, and give name, address and boat ID

   Federal law requires an operator involved in a casualty to give assistance as far as possible without serious danger, and to give their name, address and vessel identification.

5. Question 5 of 25

   A 30-foot boat with an engine room must post which placard?

   • AAn oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches
   • BA speed limit sign for the nearest marina
   • CA placard listing the names of the crew
   • DA no-smoking sign, at least 2 by 3 inches
   Show answer

   Answer: A. An oil discharge placard, at least 5 by 8 inches

   Boats 26 feet or longer with a machinery space must post an oil discharge placard at least 5 by 8 inches in the machinery space or at the bilge pump station.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 of 25

   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.

9. Question 9 of 25

   A power-driven boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) may show which lights instead of a masthead light and sternlight?

   • AOne flashing yellow light at the bow
   • BIts sidelights only, with no white light
   • CTwo red all-round lights, one above the other
   • DAn all-round white light plus sidelights
   Show answer

   Answer: D. An all-round white light plus sidelights

   A power-driven vessel under 12 meters may combine its masthead light and sternlight into one all-round white light, shown with sidelights.

10. Question 10 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

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

    • ATurn toward the overtaking boat
    • BSound five short blasts
    • CDo nothing; silence means yes
    • DSound the same signal back
    Show answer

    Answer: 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.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What does this buoy with red and white vertical stripes mark?

    • ASafe water, such as the middle of a channel
    • BA place where boats may not go
    • CA swimming area
    • DA wreck or rock to stay away from
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Safe water, such as the middle of a channel

    Safe water markers have red and white vertical stripes. They mark safe water all around, often a fairway or mid-channel.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    On a powerboat under 12 meters, how high must the all-round white light be above the sidelights?

    • AAt least 6 inches (15 cm)
    • BAt least 10 feet (3 meters)
    • CAt the same height as them
    • DAt least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 3.3 feet (1 meter)

    The masthead or all-round white light must be at least 3.3 feet higher than the sidelights.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Who may use an inflatable life jacket to meet the carriage requirement?

    • AAnyone of any age
    • BOnly people who cannot swim
    • CPeople 16 years of age and older
    • DChildren under 13
    Show answer

    Answer: C. People 16 years of age and older

    Inflatable life jackets are approved only for people 16 and older.

17. Question 17 of 25

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

    • AFive short blasts
    • BTwo short blasts
    • COne prolonged blast
    • DThree short blasts
    Show answer

    Answer: 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.

18. Question 18 of 25

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

    • A"I am operating astern propulsion"
    • B"I am in distress"
    • C"I intend to leave you on my port side"
    • D"I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
    Show answer

    Answer: 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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

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

    • AIt agrees with your plan and will hold its course
    • BIt is about to anchor in the middle of the channel
    • CIt is greeting you and inviting you to pass
    • DIt doubts your intentions or your action to avoid a collision
    Show answer

    Answer: 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    In fog, what signal does a power-driven vessel give while it is moving through the water?

    • AA bell rung once every 5 minutes
    • BTwo short blasts every minute
    • CThree short blasts every 2 minutes
    • DOne prolonged blast at least every 2 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One prolonged blast at least every 2 minutes

    In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way sounds one prolonged blast at intervals of no more than 2 minutes.

25. Question 25 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.

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