ALABAMA BOATING LICENSE EXAM
PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the minimum age required to operate a motorized vessel
alone in Alabama?
o 12 years old
o 13 years old
o 14 years old
o 15 years old
*Rationale: In Alabama, individuals must be at least 14 years
old to operate a motorized vessel without supervision.
2. When must navigation lights be displayed on a boat?
o Only when anchored
o Only during rain
, o From sunset to sunrise and during periods of restricted
visibility
o Only when speeding
*Rationale: Navigation lights are required from sunset to
sunrise and during fog, rain, or other reduced visibility
conditions for safety.
3. What is required for a person born after April 28, 1954, to legally
operate a boat in Alabama?
o Nothing special
o Fishing license
o Alabama Boater Safety Certification
o Driver’s license
*Rationale: Anyone born after April 28, 1954, must obtain the
Alabama Boating Safety Certification to legally operate a boat.
4. What type of life jacket must be worn by children under 8 in Alabama
while on a boat?
o None
o Inflatable belt
o U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket
, o Only when swimming
*Rationale: Children under 8 are required to wear a properly
fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on a vessel.
5. Who is responsible for the safety of all passengers aboard a vessel?
o The first mate
o The passengers
o The vessel operator
o The coast guard
*Rationale: The vessel operator is legally responsible for
ensuring passenger safety.
6. What is the primary cause of boating fatalities?
o Sharks
o Fire
o Falling overboard and drowning
o Propeller accidents
*Rationale: Most boating deaths result from drowning after
falling overboard, especially when not wearing a life jacket.
7. Which of these is considered unlawful in Alabama?
o Operating below idle speed
o Operating at night
PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025
1. What is the minimum age required to operate a motorized vessel
alone in Alabama?
o 12 years old
o 13 years old
o 14 years old
o 15 years old
*Rationale: In Alabama, individuals must be at least 14 years
old to operate a motorized vessel without supervision.
2. When must navigation lights be displayed on a boat?
o Only when anchored
o Only during rain
, o From sunset to sunrise and during periods of restricted
visibility
o Only when speeding
*Rationale: Navigation lights are required from sunset to
sunrise and during fog, rain, or other reduced visibility
conditions for safety.
3. What is required for a person born after April 28, 1954, to legally
operate a boat in Alabama?
o Nothing special
o Fishing license
o Alabama Boater Safety Certification
o Driver’s license
*Rationale: Anyone born after April 28, 1954, must obtain the
Alabama Boating Safety Certification to legally operate a boat.
4. What type of life jacket must be worn by children under 8 in Alabama
while on a boat?
o None
o Inflatable belt
o U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket
, o Only when swimming
*Rationale: Children under 8 are required to wear a properly
fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on a vessel.
5. Who is responsible for the safety of all passengers aboard a vessel?
o The first mate
o The passengers
o The vessel operator
o The coast guard
*Rationale: The vessel operator is legally responsible for
ensuring passenger safety.
6. What is the primary cause of boating fatalities?
o Sharks
o Fire
o Falling overboard and drowning
o Propeller accidents
*Rationale: Most boating deaths result from drowning after
falling overboard, especially when not wearing a life jacket.
7. Which of these is considered unlawful in Alabama?
o Operating below idle speed
o Operating at night
