CALIFORNIA BOATING LICENSE EXAM
PAPER 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% ACCURATE
⩥ When on board and facing the bow of a boat, where is the port side?
Answer: on your left
⩥ Where onboard are the gunwales located? Answer: at the top of the
sides
⩥ When onboard and facing the front of a boat, where is the bow?
Answer: in front of you
⩥ Deep "V" hulls operate best in what type of water conditions?
Answer: rough water
⩥ What is another name for the boat's serial number? Answer: hull
identification number
⩥ What must be done with the vessel's registration paper? Answer: keep
it aboard the boat when in operation
,⩥ What must a Type III Marine Sanitation Device have when boating on
inland waters? Answer: a closed and secured Y valve
⩥ In order to dispose of plastic trash while boating, what must you do?
Answer: wait until you return and properly dispose ashore
⩥ What can you do to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance
species? Answer: wash boat and trailer at the ramp after retrieving it
⩥ Lesson 2
When selecting a life jacket, what should be the most important
consideration? Answer: size
⩥ How often should the inflator on a Type V life jacket be checked?
Answer: every time it is worn
⩥ What should you do with a torn life jacket? Answer: discard and
replace it - do not attempt to fix it
⩥ A properly fitted wearable PFD should have which characteristics?
Answer: keep the head and chin above the water
, ⩥ Which of the following items is/are required on a 12 foot inflatable
dinghy? Answer: life jackets
⩥ Which of the following is required to have a backfire flame arrestor?
Answer: a boat with a gasoline inboard engine
⩥ When paddling a canoe at night, which piece of equipment should be
carried to help avoid a collision? Answer: flashlight
⩥ If another boat signals their intention to pass you from astern, what
should you do? Answer: answer with the same signal if in agreement and
maintain course and speed
⩥ What is the proper procedure for using hand-held visual distress signal
flares? Answer: display only when immediate or potential danger exists
⩥ Why is the height of a VHF radio antenna important? Answer: VHF
radios work by the line of sight principle
⩥ What is the USCG-approved meaning of "serviceable condition" for
life jackets? Answer: straps and zippers work
⩥ Which of the following is a legal requirement for a life jacket?
Answer: must be in good, serviceable condition
PAPER 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% ACCURATE
⩥ When on board and facing the bow of a boat, where is the port side?
Answer: on your left
⩥ Where onboard are the gunwales located? Answer: at the top of the
sides
⩥ When onboard and facing the front of a boat, where is the bow?
Answer: in front of you
⩥ Deep "V" hulls operate best in what type of water conditions?
Answer: rough water
⩥ What is another name for the boat's serial number? Answer: hull
identification number
⩥ What must be done with the vessel's registration paper? Answer: keep
it aboard the boat when in operation
,⩥ What must a Type III Marine Sanitation Device have when boating on
inland waters? Answer: a closed and secured Y valve
⩥ In order to dispose of plastic trash while boating, what must you do?
Answer: wait until you return and properly dispose ashore
⩥ What can you do to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance
species? Answer: wash boat and trailer at the ramp after retrieving it
⩥ Lesson 2
When selecting a life jacket, what should be the most important
consideration? Answer: size
⩥ How often should the inflator on a Type V life jacket be checked?
Answer: every time it is worn
⩥ What should you do with a torn life jacket? Answer: discard and
replace it - do not attempt to fix it
⩥ A properly fitted wearable PFD should have which characteristics?
Answer: keep the head and chin above the water
, ⩥ Which of the following items is/are required on a 12 foot inflatable
dinghy? Answer: life jackets
⩥ Which of the following is required to have a backfire flame arrestor?
Answer: a boat with a gasoline inboard engine
⩥ When paddling a canoe at night, which piece of equipment should be
carried to help avoid a collision? Answer: flashlight
⩥ If another boat signals their intention to pass you from astern, what
should you do? Answer: answer with the same signal if in agreement and
maintain course and speed
⩥ What is the proper procedure for using hand-held visual distress signal
flares? Answer: display only when immediate or potential danger exists
⩥ Why is the height of a VHF radio antenna important? Answer: VHF
radios work by the line of sight principle
⩥ What is the USCG-approved meaning of "serviceable condition" for
life jackets? Answer: straps and zippers work
⩥ Which of the following is a legal requirement for a life jacket?
Answer: must be in good, serviceable condition
