California Boating License Exam | 2025/2026
Questions and answers | Latest Update |
Instant Download!!
1. Two power-driven vessels are crossing, and the other vessel is on your
starboard side. What is your obligation?
A. Maintain course and speed
B. Sound one short blast and continue
C. Give way and avoid crossing ahead
D. Turn to port
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under Rule 15, the vessel that has the other on its starboard side must give way and
avoid crossing ahead.
2. You are operating at night and see a vessel displaying red over red all-around
lights. What does this indicate?
A. Vessel fishing
B. Vessel not under command
C. Vessel restricted in ability to maneuver
D. Vessel engaged in towing
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Two red all-around lights in a vertical line indicate a vessel not under command
(NUC).
3. What is the minimum age to operate a motorized vessel in California without
supervision?
A. 12
B. 14
C. 16
D. 18
,✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: California law requires operators of motorized vessels to be at least 16 to operate
without adult supervision, subject to current boater card phase-in rules.
4. A green buoy with odd numbers indicates:
A. Port side when returning from sea
B. Starboard side when returning from sea
C. Danger area
D. Controlled area
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under the “Red Right Returning” system, green odd-numbered buoys mark the
starboard side of channels when returning from sea.
5. Which action is required when visibility is severely restricted by fog?
A. Increase speed to clear the area
B. Maintain speed and sound no signals
C. Proceed at safe speed and sound appropriate fog signals
D. Stop engines completely
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rule 19 requires safe speed and sound signals in restricted visibility.
6. Which device is acceptable as a visual distress signal during daylight in
California waters?
A. White flashlight
B. Orange distress flag
C. Red laser pointer
D. Yellow smoke canister
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An orange distress flag is an approved daytime distress signal.
7. When must a boating accident be reported to California authorities?
,A. Any damage occurs
B. Damage exceeds $100
C. Injury requiring more than first aid, death, or disappearance
D. Any collision
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reporting is required when there is death, disappearance, or injury beyond first aid
(and significant property damage per statute).
8. What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for boating in
California?
A. 0.05%
B. 0.08%
C. 0.10%
D. Zero tolerance
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: California applies the same 0.08% BAC limit for boating under the influence (BUI)
as for driving.
9. Which vessel has right-of-way over all others except NUC vessels?
A. Power-driven vessel
B. Sailing vessel under sail alone
C. Vessel towing
D. Seaplane
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sailing vessels under sail generally have right-of-way over power-driven vessels.
10. What is the safest method to reduce risk of hypothermia after capsizing?
A. Swim continuously
B. Remove life jacket
C. Assume Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP)
D. Float face down
, ✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The HELP position reduces heat loss while awaiting rescue.
11. Which light configuration identifies a power-driven vessel underway less than
50 meters long?
A. One white light only
B. Red and green sidelights only
C. Masthead light, sidelights, and sternlight
D. Two masthead lights
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Power vessels show masthead, sidelights, and sternlight.
12. When approaching a swimmer-down flag, California law requires:
A. Maintain speed
B. Stay at least 50 feet away
C. Slow to 5 mph within 100 feet
D. Stop engines immediately
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Operators must slow to 5 mph when within 100 feet of a diver flag.
13. Which situation requires immediate assistance if possible?
A. Vessel fishing
B. Vessel adrift
C. Distress signal observed
D. Anchored vessel
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mariners are legally obligated to assist vessels in distress if it can be done safely.
14. What does a buoy with vertical red and white stripes indicate?
Questions and answers | Latest Update |
Instant Download!!
1. Two power-driven vessels are crossing, and the other vessel is on your
starboard side. What is your obligation?
A. Maintain course and speed
B. Sound one short blast and continue
C. Give way and avoid crossing ahead
D. Turn to port
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under Rule 15, the vessel that has the other on its starboard side must give way and
avoid crossing ahead.
2. You are operating at night and see a vessel displaying red over red all-around
lights. What does this indicate?
A. Vessel fishing
B. Vessel not under command
C. Vessel restricted in ability to maneuver
D. Vessel engaged in towing
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Two red all-around lights in a vertical line indicate a vessel not under command
(NUC).
3. What is the minimum age to operate a motorized vessel in California without
supervision?
A. 12
B. 14
C. 16
D. 18
,✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: California law requires operators of motorized vessels to be at least 16 to operate
without adult supervision, subject to current boater card phase-in rules.
4. A green buoy with odd numbers indicates:
A. Port side when returning from sea
B. Starboard side when returning from sea
C. Danger area
D. Controlled area
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under the “Red Right Returning” system, green odd-numbered buoys mark the
starboard side of channels when returning from sea.
5. Which action is required when visibility is severely restricted by fog?
A. Increase speed to clear the area
B. Maintain speed and sound no signals
C. Proceed at safe speed and sound appropriate fog signals
D. Stop engines completely
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rule 19 requires safe speed and sound signals in restricted visibility.
6. Which device is acceptable as a visual distress signal during daylight in
California waters?
A. White flashlight
B. Orange distress flag
C. Red laser pointer
D. Yellow smoke canister
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An orange distress flag is an approved daytime distress signal.
7. When must a boating accident be reported to California authorities?
,A. Any damage occurs
B. Damage exceeds $100
C. Injury requiring more than first aid, death, or disappearance
D. Any collision
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reporting is required when there is death, disappearance, or injury beyond first aid
(and significant property damage per statute).
8. What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for boating in
California?
A. 0.05%
B. 0.08%
C. 0.10%
D. Zero tolerance
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: California applies the same 0.08% BAC limit for boating under the influence (BUI)
as for driving.
9. Which vessel has right-of-way over all others except NUC vessels?
A. Power-driven vessel
B. Sailing vessel under sail alone
C. Vessel towing
D. Seaplane
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sailing vessels under sail generally have right-of-way over power-driven vessels.
10. What is the safest method to reduce risk of hypothermia after capsizing?
A. Swim continuously
B. Remove life jacket
C. Assume Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP)
D. Float face down
, ✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The HELP position reduces heat loss while awaiting rescue.
11. Which light configuration identifies a power-driven vessel underway less than
50 meters long?
A. One white light only
B. Red and green sidelights only
C. Masthead light, sidelights, and sternlight
D. Two masthead lights
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Power vessels show masthead, sidelights, and sternlight.
12. When approaching a swimmer-down flag, California law requires:
A. Maintain speed
B. Stay at least 50 feet away
C. Slow to 5 mph within 100 feet
D. Stop engines immediately
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Operators must slow to 5 mph when within 100 feet of a diver flag.
13. Which situation requires immediate assistance if possible?
A. Vessel fishing
B. Vessel adrift
C. Distress signal observed
D. Anchored vessel
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mariners are legally obligated to assist vessels in distress if it can be done safely.
14. What does a buoy with vertical red and white stripes indicate?
