Alabama Boating Test (2026)
– 60 Questions
with Correct Answers
How should a vessel's registration number and validation decal be displayed?
- Answer On both
sides of the bow of the boat
What is important when selecting the right PFD for a passenger?
- Answer Passenger's body weight
and chest size
What important safety information is found on a boat's capacity plate?
- Answer Maximum weight
and/or number of people the boat can carry safely
What is the best way to find out about hazards on a local waterway?
- Answer Consult a nautical
chart
According to Alabama law, what operators are required to have completed an approved boating
course in order to operate a PWC?
- Answer Operators who are 12 years of age or older
Which type of PFD will turn most unconscious people face up in the water?
- Answer Type 1
Everyone on board a vessel should understand basic safety practices. Who is responsible for ensuring
this? - Answer The vessel operator
Where is the best place to store a fire extinguisher on a boat?
- Answer Mounted in an accessible
location
When should a life jacket be discarded and replaced?
- Answer When it is slightly torn
What effect does alcohol have when you are operating a vessel?
- Answer Increases the likelihood of
accidents
When boating on federally controlled waters in an
-foot
18 boat, what equipment are you legally
required to have on board?
- Answer U.S. Coast Guard-approved visual distress signals
What sound producing device(s) is required when boating on Alabama waters in-foot
an 18
powerboat?- Answer A whistle, a horn, or another sound device
Which of these provides a warning that dangerous weather is approaching?
- Answer Dark clouds
and shifting winds
What is one part of a regular vessel and engine maintenance program?
- Answer Checking the oil
level before every outing
, Alabama Boating Test (2026)
– 60 Questions
with Correct Answers
How should you approach the dock when docking your vessel?
- Answer Into the wind or current,
whichever is stronger
What should you do before fueling your boat?
- Answer Turn off the engine and close all windows,
ports, doors, and other openings
Where should your trailer be located while you prepare to launch your vessel?
- Answer Well away
from the boat ramp
How can propeller strike accidents be avoided?
- Answer Turn off the engine when passengers are
boarding
Which of the following is an example of careless operation?
- Answer Not having enough PFDs on
board
What is the best way to minimize the risk of drowning while boating?
- Answer Have everyone wear
an appropriate life jacket at all times
How can you prevent transporting nuisance species (plants or animals) with your vessel from one
waterway to another?
- Answer Remove any zebra mussels you add before leaving the body of water
What should the vessel operator tell everyone on board before departing?
- Answer Where to find
the PFDs and visual distress signals
What is the main function of an ignition safety switch?
- Answer To shut off the engine is the
operator is thrown overboard
In Alabama, how far must a vessel stay from a diver
-down flag?- Answer 100 ft
How does the effect of alcohol consumed while boating compare to the effect on
- Answer
land?
Much greater while boating
Which is true about operating a boat in Alabama while intoxicated?
- Answer By operating a vessel
on Alabama waters, a boater must submit to testing for BAC
When two vessels are operating in the same general area, who is responsible for avoiding a collision?
- Answer The operators of both vessels
How do you know when you are operating your vessel at a safe speed?
- Answer You have enough
time to avoid a collision
– 60 Questions
with Correct Answers
How should a vessel's registration number and validation decal be displayed?
- Answer On both
sides of the bow of the boat
What is important when selecting the right PFD for a passenger?
- Answer Passenger's body weight
and chest size
What important safety information is found on a boat's capacity plate?
- Answer Maximum weight
and/or number of people the boat can carry safely
What is the best way to find out about hazards on a local waterway?
- Answer Consult a nautical
chart
According to Alabama law, what operators are required to have completed an approved boating
course in order to operate a PWC?
- Answer Operators who are 12 years of age or older
Which type of PFD will turn most unconscious people face up in the water?
- Answer Type 1
Everyone on board a vessel should understand basic safety practices. Who is responsible for ensuring
this? - Answer The vessel operator
Where is the best place to store a fire extinguisher on a boat?
- Answer Mounted in an accessible
location
When should a life jacket be discarded and replaced?
- Answer When it is slightly torn
What effect does alcohol have when you are operating a vessel?
- Answer Increases the likelihood of
accidents
When boating on federally controlled waters in an
-foot
18 boat, what equipment are you legally
required to have on board?
- Answer U.S. Coast Guard-approved visual distress signals
What sound producing device(s) is required when boating on Alabama waters in-foot
an 18
powerboat?- Answer A whistle, a horn, or another sound device
Which of these provides a warning that dangerous weather is approaching?
- Answer Dark clouds
and shifting winds
What is one part of a regular vessel and engine maintenance program?
- Answer Checking the oil
level before every outing
, Alabama Boating Test (2026)
– 60 Questions
with Correct Answers
How should you approach the dock when docking your vessel?
- Answer Into the wind or current,
whichever is stronger
What should you do before fueling your boat?
- Answer Turn off the engine and close all windows,
ports, doors, and other openings
Where should your trailer be located while you prepare to launch your vessel?
- Answer Well away
from the boat ramp
How can propeller strike accidents be avoided?
- Answer Turn off the engine when passengers are
boarding
Which of the following is an example of careless operation?
- Answer Not having enough PFDs on
board
What is the best way to minimize the risk of drowning while boating?
- Answer Have everyone wear
an appropriate life jacket at all times
How can you prevent transporting nuisance species (plants or animals) with your vessel from one
waterway to another?
- Answer Remove any zebra mussels you add before leaving the body of water
What should the vessel operator tell everyone on board before departing?
- Answer Where to find
the PFDs and visual distress signals
What is the main function of an ignition safety switch?
- Answer To shut off the engine is the
operator is thrown overboard
In Alabama, how far must a vessel stay from a diver
-down flag?- Answer 100 ft
How does the effect of alcohol consumed while boating compare to the effect on
- Answer
land?
Much greater while boating
Which is true about operating a boat in Alabama while intoxicated?
- Answer By operating a vessel
on Alabama waters, a boater must submit to testing for BAC
When two vessels are operating in the same general area, who is responsible for avoiding a collision?
- Answer The operators of both vessels
How do you know when you are operating your vessel at a safe speed?
- Answer You have enough
time to avoid a collision
