Alabama Boating License Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 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.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does this white marker with an orange diamond and a cross inside mean?

   • ASwimmers may not enter
   • BBoats keep out of the area
   • CSlow down to 5 mph
   • DInformation about a nearby marina
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Boats keep out of the area

   A diamond with a cross marks an exclusion area. Boats must keep out, for example near dams or swimming areas.

3. Question 3 of 25

   In this diagram, what color is the port sidelight (light 1)?

   • AYellow
   • BWhite
   • CGreen
   • DRed
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Red

   The port sidelight is red and the starboard sidelight is green.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Where should swimmers stay away from while a boat's engine or generator is running?

   • AThe shoreline and shallow water nearby
   • BThe bow, where the anchor is stored
   • CThe swim platform and the back of the boat
   • DThe anchor line at the front of the boat
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   Answer: C. The swim platform and the back of the boat

   Exhaust gases with carbon monoxide collect near the stern and swim platform. Do not swim or sit there while engines or generators run.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What is true about carbon monoxide (CO) from boat engines?

   • AIt is safe outdoors on a boat
   • BIt only comes from diesel engines
   • CIt smells like gasoline, so it is easy to notice
   • DIt has no color or smell and can kill quickly
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It has no color or smell and can kill quickly

   Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. It can build up around a boat, especially near the stern and swim platform, while engines or generators run.

6. Question 6 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.

7. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How many wearable life jackets must a recreational boat carry?

    • AOne for every two people on board
    • BOne approved life jacket for each person
    • CTwo for the whole boat, of any size
    • DOne for the operator only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. One approved life jacket for each person

    Federal rules require one wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard.

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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
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    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.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A 32-foot boat built in 2020 needs fire extinguishers. Which choice meets the requirement (with no fixed system)?

    • AOne 5-B extinguisher
    • BOne household 1-A unit
    • CThree 20-B extinguishers
    • DTwo 5-B, or one 20-B
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Two 5-B, or one 20-B

    Boats 26 feet to under 40 feet need two 5-B extinguishers. Because one 20-B can replace two 5-B extinguishers, one 20-B also meets the rule.

14. Question 14 of 25

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

    • ATwo short blasts
    • BOne short blast
    • COne prolonged blast
    • DThree short blasts
    Show answer

    Answer: 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".

15. Question 15 of 25

    How should a give-way vessel act?

    • ABy speeding up to cross in front
    • BLate, with a small turn at the last moment
    • CEarly and with a large, obvious change of course or speed
    • DBy sounding five short blasts and holding course
    Show answer

    Answer: 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.

16. Question 16 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.

17. Question 17 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.

18. Question 18 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.

19. Question 19 of 25

    On a Coast Guard documented vessel, how tall must the name and hailing port be?

    • AAny size that can be read
    • BAt least 12 inches
    • CAt least 1 inch
    • DAt least 4 inches
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 4 inches

    Documented vessels show their name and hailing port together on the hull in letters at least 4 inches high.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 of 25

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

    • AA copy of the boat's insurance policy
    • BA copy of the Navigation Rules
    • CA map of every state you will visit
    • DA list of marinas with fuel
    Show answer

    Answer: 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 of 25

    How often should you inspect your fire extinguishers?

    • AEvery 5 years
    • BMonthly
    • CNever, if the seal is intact
    • DOnly after a fire
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Monthly

    Inspect extinguishers monthly. If the label lists a minimum weight, weigh them once a year.

25. Question 25 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.

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