USCG Rules of the Road Practice Test

10 sample Rules of the Road questions with answers

The same 10 on every visit. A related section is the closest match RegKnot found in the regulations and references; it is not part of the NMC’s answer key.

1. Question 1 · Deck Officer Endorsements

   BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The stern light shall be positioned such that it will show from dead astern to how many degrees on each side of the stern of the vessel?

   • A.22.5°
   • B.67.5° (correct answer)
   • C.112.5°
   • D.135.0°

   Answer: B. 67.5°

   Related regulation: COLREGs Annex I — Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes

2. Question 2 · Deck Officer Endorsements

   BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The steering and sailing rules for vessels in restricted visibility apply to vessels __________.

   • A.only if they have operational radar
   • B.in sight of one another in fog
   • C.navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility (correct answer)
   • D.only if they are showing special purpose lights

   Answer: C. navigating in or near an area of restricted visibility

   Related regulation: COLREGs Rule 27 — Rule 27: Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Their

3. Question 3 · Deck Officer Endorsements

   BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the required fog signal for a manned vessel being towed at night?

   • A.One prolonged followed by two short blasts
   • B.Two prolonged blasts
   • C.One prolonged followed by one short blast
   • D.One prolonged followed by three short blasts (correct answer)

   Answer: D. One prolonged followed by three short blasts

   Related regulation: COLREGs Rule 35 — Rule 35: Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility

4. Question 4 · Deck Officer Endorsements

   BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a bend in a channel. You cannot see around the bend because of the height of the bank. Which action are you required to take in accordance with the Rules?

   • A.Stay in the middle of the channel
   • B.Stop engines and navigate with caution
   • C.Sound a whistle blast of 4 to 6 seconds duration (correct answer)
   • D.Sound passing signals to any other vessel that may be on the other side of the bend

   Answer: C. Sound a whistle blast of 4 to 6 seconds duration

   Related regulation: COLREGs Rule 34 — Rule 34: Maneuvering and Warning Signals

5. Question 5 · Deck Officer Endorsements

   BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of which vessel?

   • A.power-driven vessel (correct answer)
   • B.vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
   • C.vessel engaged in fishing
   • D.vessel not under command

   Answer: A. power-driven vessel

   Related regulation: COLREGs Rule 23 — Rule 23: Power-driven Vessels Underway

6. Question 6 · Deck Officer Endorsements

   BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the duration of each blast of the whistle signals used in head-on and/or crossing situations?

   • A.about 1 second (correct answer)
   • B.2 to 4 seconds
   • C.4 to 6 seconds
   • D.8 to 10 seconds

   Answer: A. about 1 second

   Related regulation: COLREGs Rule 32 — Rule 32: Definitions

7. Question 7 · Deck Officer Endorsements

   BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When do the Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist?

   • A.whenever a vessel crosses ahead of the intended track of another vessel
   • B.if one vessel approaches another so as to be overtaking
   • C.whenever two vessels approach from opposite directions
   • D.if the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change (correct answer)

   Answer: D. if the bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change

   Related regulation: COLREGs Rule 12 — Rule 12: Sailing Vessels

8. Question 8 · Deck Officer Endorsements

   INLAND ONLY A barge more than 50 meters long is required to show how many white anchor lights when anchored in a Secretary approved "special anchorage area"?

   • A.2 (correct answer)
   • B.1
   • C.3
   • D.None

   Answer: A. 2

   Related regulation: 33 CFR 83.30 ↗ — Vessels anchored, aground and moored barges (Rule 30)

9. Question 9 · Limited Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessels (Limited OUPV)

   BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Navigation lights must be displayed in all weathers from sunset to sunrise. They also __________.

   • A.may be extinguished at night on open waters when no other vessels are in the area
   • B.may be displayed during daylight (correct answer)
   • C.must be displayed when day signals are being used
   • D.must be displayed when moored to a pier

   Answer: B. may be displayed during daylight

   Related regulation: COLREGs Rule 23 — Rule 23: Power-driven Vessels Underway

10. Question 10 · Deck Officer Endorsements

    BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is TRUE for a vessel using a traffic separation scheme?

    • A.use the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is hindering other traffic due to her slower speed
    • B.only anchor in the separation zone
    • C.avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme (correct answer)
    • D.avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, shall cross on as small an angle as is practical

    Answer: C. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme

    Related regulation: COLREGs Rule 10 — Rule 10: Traffic Separation Schemes

Exams these questions come from

Choose one when you start the quiz. A question can appear in more than one exam, so these add up to more than 123.

• Deck Officer Endorsements80 questions
• Limited Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessels (Limited OUPV)44 questions

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