Arkansas Boater Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 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.

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

   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.

4. Question 4 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.

5. Question 5 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.

6. Question 6 of 25

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

   • AThe boat on the left
   • BThe sailboat, A
   • CThe powerboat, B
   • DThe boat that is moving faster
   Show answer

   Answer: 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. Question 7 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.

8. Question 8 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.

9. Question 9 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.

10. Question 10 of 25

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

    • AThe starboard (right) side
    • BWhichever side has less traffic
    • CThe center of the channel
    • DThe port (left) side
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The starboard (right) side

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

11. Question 11 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.

12. Question 12 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.

13. Question 13 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.

14. Question 14 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.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What do three short blasts mean?

    • A"I am operating astern propulsion"
    • B"I am turning to starboard now"
    • C"Please pass me on either side"
    • D"I need fuel or other help"
    Show answer

    Answer: A. "I am operating astern propulsion"

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

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this white marker with an orange circle mean?

    • AA controlled area; here, no wake
    • BDanger from rocks right below
    • CBoats must keep out of the area
    • DDirections to a nearby marina
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A controlled area; here, no wake

    An orange circle marks a controlled area, such as a no-wake or speed-limit zone. The rule is written inside the circle.

17. Question 17 of 25

    A person goes missing from your boat. Who must you notify right away?

    • AThe nearest state boating authority
    • BThe company that built your boat
    • CNobody until the written report is due
    • DYour insurance company only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The nearest state boating authority

    For a death or a missing person, notify the nearest state boating authority immediately, then file the written report.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Is it legal to tie your boat to a navigation buoy?

    • ANo, it is dangerous and illegal
    • BYes, if you stay less than an hour
    • CYes, if the buoy is green
    • DYes, but only in daylight
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No, it is dangerous and illegal

    Do not tie up to aids to navigation. It is dangerous and illegal, and it can hide the aid from other boaters.

19. Question 19 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.

20. Question 20 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.

21. Question 21 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.

22. Question 22 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.

23. Question 23 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.

24. Question 24 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.

25. Question 25 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.

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