Virginia Boater Exam Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Tanong 1 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

2. Tanong 2 ng 25

   You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this green buoy?

   • AOn your port (left) side
   • BOn your starboard (right) side
   • COn either side
   • DDirectly ahead of you
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: A. On your port (left) side

   Green lateral markers mark the port side of the channel when you return from sea. Keep them on your left.

3. Tanong 3 ng 25

   On inland waters, what do two short blasts mean when two power-driven vessels meet or cross in sight of each other?

   • A"I intend to leave you on my starboard side"
   • B"I intend to leave you on my port side"
   • C"I am leaving the dock"
   • D"I am anchored"
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: A. "I intend to leave you on my starboard side"

   Under Inland Rule 34, two short blasts mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard side".

4. Tanong 4 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

5. Tanong 5 ng 25

   If you use pyrotechnic signals to meet the requirement, how many must you carry?

   • ASix signals for night use only
   • BThree for day use and three for night use
   • CTen signals of any type, day or night
   • DOne for day use and one for night use
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: B. Three for day use and three for night use

   Carry at least three day and three night signals. Combination day/night flares can count toward both.

6. Tanong 6 ng 25

   A large ship can only operate safely inside a narrow channel. What must a small recreational boat do?

   • AHold course because small boats have right of way
   • BNot get in its way
   • CStop in the channel and wait
   • DCross in front of it to show its position
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: B. Not get in its way

   Vessels under 20 meters (65.6 feet) and sailing vessels must not impede a vessel that can navigate safely only within a narrow channel.

7. Tanong 7 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: 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.

8. Tanong 8 ng 25

   On a regulatory marker, what does an orange square or rectangle mean?

   • AIt gives information, such as directions
   • BDanger ahead, such as rocks
   • CBoats must keep out of the area
   • DA speed limit applies in the area
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: A. It gives information, such as directions

   Squares give information. Diamonds warn of danger, diamonds with a cross mean keep out, and circles mark controlled areas.

9. Tanong 9 ng 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
   Ipakita ang sagot

   Sagot: A. A speed limit applies in the area

   A circle marks a controlled area. A number inside shows the speed limit that applies.

10. Tanong 10 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

11. Tanong 11 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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".

12. Tanong 12 ng 25

    Under the federal rule, which children must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway?

    • AOnly children who cannot swim, of any age
    • BUnder 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin
    • CUnder 6, but only when the boat is out at night
    • DUnder 18, at all times when they are on board
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. Under 13, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin

    The federal rule requires children under 13 to wear an approved life jacket while underway, unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

13. Tanong 13 ng 25

    What does a yellow buoy like this tell you?

    • ADanger: rocks are right below the buoy
    • BIt marks a special area, not a channel side
    • CThere is safe water all around it
    • DKeep it on your right when returning
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. It marks a special area, not a channel side

    Special marks are yellow. They point out a special area or feature and are not lateral channel markers.

14. Tanong 14 ng 25

    What does "not under command" mean in the Navigation Rules?

    • AA vessel with no licensed captain on board at the time
    • BA vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure
    • CA vessel that is going faster than the posted speed limit
    • DA vessel that is anchored or tied to a mooring buoy
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. A vessel that cannot maneuver because of a problem, such as a steering failure

    A vessel not under command cannot keep out of the way because of an exceptional circumstance. Other vessels, including sailboats, must keep clear of it.

15. Tanong 15 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

16. Tanong 16 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

17. Tanong 17 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: B. One approved life jacket for each person

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

18. Tanong 18 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

19. Tanong 19 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

20. Tanong 20 ng 25

    Which boats must display a garbage placard?

    • AOnly boats over 100 feet
    • BOnly sailboats
    • CAll boats of any size
    • DBoats 26 feet and longer
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: D. Boats 26 feet and longer

    Vessels 26 feet or longer must display a garbage placard at least 4 by 9 inches in a prominent place.

21. Tanong 21 ng 25

    You are returning from sea. On which side should you keep this red buoy?

    • AOn your port (left) side
    • BOn either side
    • COnly on your left at night
    • DOn your starboard (right) side
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: D. On your starboard (right) side

    Remember "red, right, returning": keep red markers on your starboard side when returning from sea.

22. Tanong 22 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

23. Tanong 23 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: A. The starboard (right) side

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

24. Tanong 24 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: C. An electric distress light

    An electric distress light meets the night requirement. An orange flag only counts during the day.

25. Tanong 25 ng 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
    Ipakita ang sagot

    Sagot: 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.

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