Delaware Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   When is an operator NOT required to use the engine cut-off switch link?

   • AWhen there are passengers on board
   • BWhen the water is calm
   • CWhen the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin
   • DWhen the boat is going faster than 20 mph
   Show answer

   Answer: C. When the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin

   The requirement does not apply when the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin. It is also not needed at slow speeds such as docking or trolling.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which boating accident must be reported to the state?

   • AOne where someone needs more than first aid
   • BA scratch to the hull that costs $100 to fix
   • CAny time a fishing line breaks on a snag
   • DAny time a boat runs out of fuel on the water
   Show answer

   Answer: A. One where someone needs more than first aid

   A report is required for a death, a disappearance, an injury needing more than first aid, damage of $2,000 or more, or the complete loss of a boat.

3. Question 3 of 25

   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.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which boats are covered by the federal engine cut-off switch law?

   • AOnly sailboats that have an outboard motor
   • BOnly commercial fishing boats of any size
   • CRecreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more
   • DAll recreational boats over 40 feet long
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Recreational boats under 26 feet, about 3 hp or more

   The law covers recreational vessels under 26 feet with engines that make 115 pounds of static thrust (about 3 hp) or more.

5. Question 5 of 25

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

   • AThe boat with the wind on its port side
   • BThe boat with the wind on its starboard side
   • CThe larger sailboat
   • DThe boat that is to leeward
   Show answer

   Answer: 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

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

   • AAs a power-driven vessel
   • BAs a vessel not under command
   • CAs a sailing vessel
   • DAs a vessel at anchor
   Show answer

   Answer: A. As a power-driven vessel

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

7. Question 7 of 25

   What sound-producing device must a boat under 12 meters (39.4 feet) carry?

   • AA bell and a gong mounted on deck
   • BA siren, like those used on police boats
   • CNothing; shouting loudly is enough
   • DAn efficient sound device, such as a horn or whistle
   Show answer

   Answer: D. An efficient sound device, such as a horn or whistle

   Boats under 12 meters must carry an efficient sound-producing device, such as a hand-held air horn or a whistle. A human voice is not acceptable.

8. Question 8 of 25

   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.

9. Question 9 of 25

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

   • ANo, and sounding them would be illegal
   • BNo, but they may
   • CYes, always, before and after passing
   • DYes, but only at night
   Show answer

   Answer: 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What is a "safe speed"?

    • AA speed that lets you stop or turn in time
    • BThe speed posted at the nearest launch ramp
    • CAny speed under 10 mph, in all conditions
    • DThe highest speed your boat can safely reach
    Show answer

    Answer: 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.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Where does the state validation decal go?

    • AOn the stern, right next to the motor
    • BWithin 6 inches of the registration number
    • CInside the glove box, with the papers
    • DOn the boat trailer's left fender
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Within 6 inches of the registration number

    The validation decal goes within 6 inches of the registration number, with no other numbers or letters nearby.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which non-pyrotechnic signal counts for daytime use only?

    • AAn orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet
    • BA white all-round anchor light
    • CAn electric distress light
    • DA green flashlight, held up high
    Show answer

    Answer: A. An orange distress flag, 3 by 3 feet

    An orange distress flag is a day signal. An electric distress light is a night signal.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 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
    Show answer

    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.

16. Question 16 of 25

    This white buoy with a blue band is a mooring buoy. What is it for?

    • AWarning of a hidden rock
    • BMarking the right side of a channel
    • CMarking a no-wake zone
    • DTying up or securing a boat
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Tying up or securing a boat

    Mooring buoys are white with a horizontal blue band. They are made for boats to tie up to.

17. Question 17 of 25

    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.

18. Question 18 of 25

    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.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 of 25

    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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this white marker with an open orange diamond mean?

    • ADanger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam
    • BBoats may not enter the area
    • CA safe place to anchor overnight
    • DA speed limit applies here
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Danger, such as rocks, shoals or a dam

    An orange diamond warns of danger. The danger may be described in black letters on the marker.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Where must recreational boats carry visual distress signals?

    • ACoastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas
    • BOnly on rivers that are wider than 1 mile
    • COnly on small inland lakes and ponds
    • DOnly within 1 mile of any shoreline
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Coastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas

    Visual distress signals are required on U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and connected waters up to where they become less than 2 nautical miles wide.

25. Question 25 of 25

    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.

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