Virginia Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Tanong 1 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

2. Tanong 2 ng 25

   When must recreational boats show navigation lights?

   • AOnly when other boats are close by
   • BFrom sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility
   • COnly on nights when there is no moon
   • DOnly on the ocean, not on lakes or rivers
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: B. From sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility

   Navigation lights are required between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.

3. Tanong 3 ng 25

   Light 4 in the diagram is the white sternlight. How wide is its arc?

   • A225 degrees, toward the front
   • B360 degrees, all around
   • C112.5 degrees, on one side
   • D135 degrees, toward the back
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: D. 135 degrees, toward the back

   The sternlight shines over 135 degrees behind the boat. The masthead light covers 225 degrees forward.

4. Tanong 4 ng 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"
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

5. Tanong 5 ng 25

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

   • ATwo
   • BFour
   • CThree
   • DOne
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: A. Two

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

6. Tanong 6 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

7. Tanong 7 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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. Tanong 8 ng 25

   What must a boat 12 meters (39.4 feet) or longer carry for sound signals?

   • AA referee whistle for the operator
   • BA small hand bell kept at the helm
   • CA whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile
   • DNothing beyond a working VHF radio
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: C. A whistle audible for 1/2 nautical mile

   Vessels 12 meters or longer need a whistle (horn) audible for 1/2 nautical mile. Vessels 20 meters or longer also need a bell.

9. Tanong 9 ng 25

   What does an engine cut-off switch link do?

   • AStops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm
   • BLocks the steering wheel when you are not aboard
   • CTurns on the navigation lights automatically
   • DStarts the bilge blower before the engine starts
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: A. Stops the engine if the operator is thrown from the helm

   The lanyard links the operator to the switch. If the operator is thrown from the helm, the link pulls free and the engine shuts off.

10. Tanong 10 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

11. Tanong 11 ng 25

    What is the maximum federal criminal penalty for boating under the influence?

    • AA written warning, with no fine
    • BUp to $5,000, one year in prison, or both
    • CLoss of your car driver license only
    • DA fine of up to $50 and a short class
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. Up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both

    Federal BUI penalties include a civil penalty of up to $1,000, or a criminal penalty of up to $5,000, one year in prison, or both.

12. Tanong 12 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

13. Tanong 13 ng 25

    Older B-I and B-II extinguishers are still accepted on which boats?

    • AAll boats, of any model year
    • BOnly boats built in 2018 or later
    • CBoats built in model year 2017 or earlier
    • DOnly personal watercraft of any year
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: C. Boats built in model year 2017 or earlier

    Coast Guard B-I and B-II extinguishers are acceptable only on vessels built in model year 2017 or earlier.

14. Tanong 14 ng 25

    What kind of numbers do red nun buoys like this carry?

    • AOdd numbers
    • BEven numbers
    • CLetters only
    • DNo numbers
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. Even numbers

    Red lateral markers carry even numbers, and the numbers increase as you head in from sea.

15. Tanong 15 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

16. Tanong 16 ng 25

    Where can you legally throw plastic overboard?

    • AMore than 12 miles from shore
    • BNowhere
    • CMore than 3 miles from shore
    • DOnly in rivers
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. Nowhere

    Discharging plastic into the water is prohibited everywhere.

17. Tanong 17 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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. Tanong 18 ng 25

    Which engines must have a Coast Guard-approved backfire flame arrester?

    • ADiesel engines only
    • BGasoline inboard engines
    • CElectric trolling motors
    • DAll outboard motors
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. Gasoline inboard engines

    Gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, must have an approved backfire flame control device.

19. Tanong 19 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

20. Tanong 20 ng 25

    You are alone in cold water wearing a life jacket and cannot climb out. What should you do?

    • ASplash and kick constantly to stay visible
    • BTake off your life jacket so you can move freely
    • CSwim hard in circles to keep your body warm
    • DFold your arms, cross your legs and float still
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: D. Fold your arms, cross your legs and float still

    The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) reduces heat loss. Swim only if safety is very close.

21. Tanong 21 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

22. Tanong 22 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: C. The powerboat, B

    A power-driven vessel must keep out of the way of a sailing vessel, unless the sailboat is overtaking it.

23. Tanong 23 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

24. Tanong 24 ng 25

    Which check is part of keeping a fire extinguisher "good and serviceable"?

    • AThe gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place
    • BThe extinguisher has been tested by using it once
    • CThe label has been removed so it fits the bracket
    • DThe nozzle is taped shut to keep out dirt
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: A. The gauge is in the operable range and the pin is in place

    A serviceable extinguisher has its gauge in the operable range, its lock pin in place, a clear nozzle and no serious corrosion or damage.

25. Tanong 25 ng 25

    Your powerboat is approaching a vessel engaged in fishing with nets. What must you do?

    • AKeep out of its way
    • BSound five short blasts and continue
    • CHold your course; it must move for you
    • DPass close to look at its gear
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: A. Keep out of its way

    A power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, which has nets or gear that limit its movement.

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