NJ BOATING EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2027
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. According to New Jersey law, what is the minimum age to operate a Personal Watercraft
(PWC)?
A. 16 years old
B. 13 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: In New Jersey, a person must be at least 16 years of age to
operate a PWC. Persons 13 to 15 may operate certain vessels but not PWCs.
2. When returning from the open sea, on which side should the red even-numbered buoys be
kept?
A. Port (Left) side
B. Stern (Rear) side
C. Starboard (Right) side
,D. It does not matter
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The phrase ‘Red Right Returning’ is a mnemonic to remind
boaters to keep red markers on the right (starboard) side when returning from sea or
heading upstream.
3. What is the primary purpose of a Type IV PFD?
A. To be worn at all times by children
B. To provide maximum buoyancy for offshore use
C. To be thrown to a person in the water
D. To be used only by water skiers
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A Type IV PFD is a throwable device, such as a ring buoy or seat
cushion, designed to be thrown to someone who has fallen overboard.
4. In New Jersey, at what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a boater considered to be
operating under the influence?
A. 0.02% or higher
B. 0.05% or higher
C. 0.08% or higher
D. 0.10% or higher
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: New Jersey’s legal limit for operating a vessel is a BAC of 0.08%
or higher, the same as for operating a motor vehicle.
5. Which of the following is a requirement for the registration number displayed on a vessel?
A. Must read from left to right on both sides of the bow
B. Must be in a cursive or decorative font
C. Must be at least 6 inches high
D. Must match the color of the hull
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Registration numbers must be at least 3-inch high block letters,
read from left to right, and contrast with the hull color.
6. What should you do immediately if your boat capsizes?
A. Swim as fast as possible to the shore
B. Stay with the boat and climb onto it if possible
C. Remove your life jacket to swim better
D. Dive under the boat to check for air pockets
Answer: B
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. According to New Jersey law, what is the minimum age to operate a Personal Watercraft
(PWC)?
A. 16 years old
B. 13 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: In New Jersey, a person must be at least 16 years of age to
operate a PWC. Persons 13 to 15 may operate certain vessels but not PWCs.
2. When returning from the open sea, on which side should the red even-numbered buoys be
kept?
A. Port (Left) side
B. Stern (Rear) side
C. Starboard (Right) side
,D. It does not matter
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The phrase ‘Red Right Returning’ is a mnemonic to remind
boaters to keep red markers on the right (starboard) side when returning from sea or
heading upstream.
3. What is the primary purpose of a Type IV PFD?
A. To be worn at all times by children
B. To provide maximum buoyancy for offshore use
C. To be thrown to a person in the water
D. To be used only by water skiers
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A Type IV PFD is a throwable device, such as a ring buoy or seat
cushion, designed to be thrown to someone who has fallen overboard.
4. In New Jersey, at what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a boater considered to be
operating under the influence?
A. 0.02% or higher
B. 0.05% or higher
C. 0.08% or higher
D. 0.10% or higher
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: New Jersey’s legal limit for operating a vessel is a BAC of 0.08%
or higher, the same as for operating a motor vehicle.
5. Which of the following is a requirement for the registration number displayed on a vessel?
A. Must read from left to right on both sides of the bow
B. Must be in a cursive or decorative font
C. Must be at least 6 inches high
D. Must match the color of the hull
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Registration numbers must be at least 3-inch high block letters,
read from left to right, and contrast with the hull color.
6. What should you do immediately if your boat capsizes?
A. Swim as fast as possible to the shore
B. Stay with the boat and climb onto it if possible
C. Remove your life jacket to swim better
D. Dive under the boat to check for air pockets
Answer: B
