NJ BOATING SAFETY CERTIFICATION
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. In New Jersey, what is the minimum age required to operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC)
legally?
A. 13 years old
B. 16 years old
C. 14 years old
D. 18 years old
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In New Jersey, a person must be at least 16 years of age to
operate a personal watercraft. Those aged 13 to 15 may operate vessels powered by
electric motors or vessels 12 feet or longer with less than 10 hp, but not PWCs.
2. Under New Jersey law, what is the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit at which a
boater is considered to be operating under the influence?
A. 0.08%
B. 0.05%
,C. 0.02%
D. 0.10%
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: New Jersey’s BUI laws mirror its motor vehicle laws; a boater is
considered under the influence if their BAC is 0.08% or higher.
3. Which of the following is a requirement for children regarding Personal Flotation Devices
(PFDs) in New Jersey?
A. Children 8 years of age and under must wear a PFD at all times.
B. Children 12 years of age and under must wear a PFD at all times while the vessel is
underway.
C. PFDs are only required for children when the boat is over 26 feet.
D. Children must wear PFDs only when swimming from the boat.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NJ law requires all children 12 years of age or younger to wear a
properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD whenever the vessel is underway, unless
they are in a fully enclosed cabin.
4. When are Personal Watercraft (PWC) allowed to operate on New Jersey waters?
A. 24 hours a day with proper lighting
B. Between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM
, C. Only during high tide
D. From sunrise to sunset only
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: PWCs may only be operated between sunrise and sunset in New
Jersey. They are not permitted to operate during hours of darkness even if they have
navigation lights.
5. At what distance from a marina, pier, or dock must a PWC operator in New Jersey maintain
‘Slow Speed/No Wake’?
A. 50 feet
B. 200 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 300 feet
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: New Jersey regulations state that PWC operators must maintain
a ‘Slow Speed/No Wake’ within 100 feet of any marina, pier, dock, or wharf.
6. A boat’s capacity plate provides what critical information to the operator?
A. The maximum weight and number of people the boat can safely carry
B. The maximum speed the boat can achieve
C. The fuel tank capacity in gallons
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. In New Jersey, what is the minimum age required to operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC)
legally?
A. 13 years old
B. 16 years old
C. 14 years old
D. 18 years old
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In New Jersey, a person must be at least 16 years of age to
operate a personal watercraft. Those aged 13 to 15 may operate vessels powered by
electric motors or vessels 12 feet or longer with less than 10 hp, but not PWCs.
2. Under New Jersey law, what is the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit at which a
boater is considered to be operating under the influence?
A. 0.08%
B. 0.05%
,C. 0.02%
D. 0.10%
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: New Jersey’s BUI laws mirror its motor vehicle laws; a boater is
considered under the influence if their BAC is 0.08% or higher.
3. Which of the following is a requirement for children regarding Personal Flotation Devices
(PFDs) in New Jersey?
A. Children 8 years of age and under must wear a PFD at all times.
B. Children 12 years of age and under must wear a PFD at all times while the vessel is
underway.
C. PFDs are only required for children when the boat is over 26 feet.
D. Children must wear PFDs only when swimming from the boat.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NJ law requires all children 12 years of age or younger to wear a
properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD whenever the vessel is underway, unless
they are in a fully enclosed cabin.
4. When are Personal Watercraft (PWC) allowed to operate on New Jersey waters?
A. 24 hours a day with proper lighting
B. Between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM
, C. Only during high tide
D. From sunrise to sunset only
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: PWCs may only be operated between sunrise and sunset in New
Jersey. They are not permitted to operate during hours of darkness even if they have
navigation lights.
5. At what distance from a marina, pier, or dock must a PWC operator in New Jersey maintain
‘Slow Speed/No Wake’?
A. 50 feet
B. 200 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 300 feet
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: New Jersey regulations state that PWC operators must maintain
a ‘Slow Speed/No Wake’ within 100 feet of any marina, pier, dock, or wharf.
6. A boat’s capacity plate provides what critical information to the operator?
A. The maximum weight and number of people the boat can safely carry
B. The maximum speed the boat can achieve
C. The fuel tank capacity in gallons
