CALIFORNIA BOATER CARD EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the minimum age to operate a motorboat with more than 15
horsepower alone in California?
A. 10 years old
B. 12 years old
C. 16 years old
D. 18 years old
In California, operators must be at least 16 years old to operate a vessel
powered by a motor of more than 15 horsepower alone.
2. Which document must you carry when operating a motorized vessel in
California?
A. Fishing license
B. Driver’s license
C. California Boater Card
D. Vessel insurance policy
The law requires operators to carry the California Boater Card when
operating applicable vessels.
3. Who must approve life jackets used on California waters?
A. US Army
, B. Coast Guard Auxiliary
C. California DMV
D. U.S. Coast Guard
All life jackets must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved, in good condition, and
properly sized.
4. What is the main purpose of the capacity plate on a boat?
A. To show fuel requirements
B. To provide registration information
C. To prevent overloading
D. To show speed limits
The capacity plate indicates the maximum weight and number of persons
the boat can safely carry.
5. What does a red and green light on the bow indicate?
A. Anchored vessel
B. Underwater hazard
C. A vessel underway at night
D. Diver down flag
Red and green sidelights are used when a vessel is underway or operating at
night.
6. What should you do if you fall overboard and cannot get back on your
boat?
A. Swim to shore immediately
B. Yell for help then tread water
C. Stay with the boat
, D. Swim under the boat
It is safer to stay with your boat because it is more visible to rescuers.
7. When must navigation lights be displayed?
A. Only in the fog
B. Only when anchored
C. From sunset to sunrise
D. Never on inland waters
Navigation lights must be on from sunset to sunrise and during restricted
visibility.
8. What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for boat operators
in California?
A. 0.02%
B. 0.05%
C. 0.08%
D. 0.10%
The legal limit is 0.08% for adults operating boats, the same as for cars.
9. Which is the best way to avoid propeller strikes?
A. Drive faster
B. Use the engine kill switch only sometimes
C. Turn off the engine while boarding
D. Turn off the engine when people are near the propeller
Always shut off the engine when people are boarding or near the propeller
to prevent injury.
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the minimum age to operate a motorboat with more than 15
horsepower alone in California?
A. 10 years old
B. 12 years old
C. 16 years old
D. 18 years old
In California, operators must be at least 16 years old to operate a vessel
powered by a motor of more than 15 horsepower alone.
2. Which document must you carry when operating a motorized vessel in
California?
A. Fishing license
B. Driver’s license
C. California Boater Card
D. Vessel insurance policy
The law requires operators to carry the California Boater Card when
operating applicable vessels.
3. Who must approve life jackets used on California waters?
A. US Army
, B. Coast Guard Auxiliary
C. California DMV
D. U.S. Coast Guard
All life jackets must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved, in good condition, and
properly sized.
4. What is the main purpose of the capacity plate on a boat?
A. To show fuel requirements
B. To provide registration information
C. To prevent overloading
D. To show speed limits
The capacity plate indicates the maximum weight and number of persons
the boat can safely carry.
5. What does a red and green light on the bow indicate?
A. Anchored vessel
B. Underwater hazard
C. A vessel underway at night
D. Diver down flag
Red and green sidelights are used when a vessel is underway or operating at
night.
6. What should you do if you fall overboard and cannot get back on your
boat?
A. Swim to shore immediately
B. Yell for help then tread water
C. Stay with the boat
, D. Swim under the boat
It is safer to stay with your boat because it is more visible to rescuers.
7. When must navigation lights be displayed?
A. Only in the fog
B. Only when anchored
C. From sunset to sunrise
D. Never on inland waters
Navigation lights must be on from sunset to sunrise and during restricted
visibility.
8. What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for boat operators
in California?
A. 0.02%
B. 0.05%
C. 0.08%
D. 0.10%
The legal limit is 0.08% for adults operating boats, the same as for cars.
9. Which is the best way to avoid propeller strikes?
A. Drive faster
B. Use the engine kill switch only sometimes
C. Turn off the engine while boarding
D. Turn off the engine when people are near the propeller
Always shut off the engine when people are boarding or near the propeller
to prevent injury.
