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- Rules of the Road Quiz -

Think you know the rules of the road ? Need to brush up on your skills ? Take this quiz !

Each quiz contains 30 randomly generated questions, each time you reload this page, you will get a different selection of questions. Pick your answers carefully, then click on the button at the bottom of the page; if you skip a question and leave it blank it will be counted as a wrong answer.

1)- When two power driven vessels are crossing on inland waters, a signal of two short blast by either vessel means...

A - I am turning to port
B - I am turning to starboard
C - I intend to leave you on my port side
D - I intend to leave you on my starboard side

2)- Which vessel shall not impede a vessel which can only navigate in a narrow channel?

A - a 30 foot sailing vessel
B - a 50 foot fishing boat
C - a 26 foot vessel towing a disabled vessel
D - all of the above

3)- The term "Inland Waters" includes...

A - the Western Rivers
B - rivers, bays and harbors on the shoreside of the COLREGS lines
C - US waters of the Great Lakes
D - all of the above

4)- Which vessel would sound a fog signal consisting of the ringing of her bell for 5 seconds ?

A - a vessel not under command drifting
B - a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver underway
C - a sailing vessel not making way
D - a pilot vessel at anchor

5)- a tug operating in international waters and pushing a barge ahead will display...

A - two yellow light vertically aligned on her forward mast
B - two forward masthed lights vertically aligned
C - two red lights over the stern
D - only her normal navigation lights

6)- You are operating a vessel with working radar, which statement is true ?

A - you can proceed at a faster speed in reduced visibility
B - you must use your radar to get early warning a collision risk exists
C - using the radar allows you not to post a look out
D - you are only required to use the radar in reduced visibility

7)- When should Morse Code C be sounded on your horn (prolonged - short - prolonged - short) ?

A - To warn traffic when you need to cross a channel
B - To signal your agreement to the signal of a vessel approaching dead ahead on an inland river
C - To signal your agreement to the signal of an overtaking vessel in a narrow channel (international)
D - When operating a sailing vessel in restricted visibility

8)- A vessel approaching at an angle of 225 degrees from your bow on your starboard side is...

A - passing
B - overtaking
C - crossing
D - stand on

9)- Which vessel would sound a fog signal consisting of a prolonged blast followed by two short blast ?

A - a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver
B - a vessel not under command
C - a sailing vessel
D - all of the above

10)- You notice a vessel red sidelight due west from your position. This vessel is ...

A - on a southerly course
B - on a northerly course
C - on a easterly course
D - on a westerly course

11)- In international waters, when should you sound a whistle signal consisting of two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast ?

A - in restricted visibility when underway but not making way
B - when overtaking another vessel in a narrow channel
C - when overtaking in open water
D - when meeting another vessel in a narrow channel

12)- You are underway at night approaching another vessel and only see sidelights. Which statement is true ?

A - you are approaching the vessel on her beam
B - you are approaching a fishing vessel
C - you are appoaching a sailing vessel
D - you are approaching a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver

13)- You are leaving a dock or berth on inland waters. When should you sound a prolonged blast ?

A - If other vessels are within 1/2 mile and approaching
B - if you are operating in restricted visibility
C - if you are operating a power vessel
D - if other vessels are within 1/4 mile and approaching

14)- Which of the following can be used to indicate a partially sunken vessel being towed ?

A - a searchlight from the towing vessels aimed at the towed vessel
B - a black diamond shape on the towed vessel
C - an all around white light at each end of the towed vessel
D - all of the above

15)- You are meeting another vessel on inland waters. You sound one blast but the other vessel replies with two blasts. You shoudl...

A - hold course and speed
B - stop your vessel
C - sound the danger signal
D - pass astern of the other vessel

16)- When two power driven vessels are crossing on international waters, a signal of two short blast by either vessel means...

A - I am turning to port
B - I am turning to starboard
C - I intend to leave you on my port side
D - I intend to leave you on my starboard side

17)- You are underway in fog and hear a fog signal forward of your beam, you should...

A - maintain speed and turn away from the signal
B - slow down to hull speed
C - stop
D - slow down to the minimum speed at which you can stay on course

18)- You are approacihng a vessel showing two cones points together. This vessel is...

A - trawling
B - trolling
C - engaged in diving operations
D - any of the above

19)- You are anchoring overnight in an approved Special Anchorage Area in a vessel 75 meter long. Which lights shall you display ?

A - none since you are in an anchorage
B - one white anchor light
C - two white anchor lights
D - one white anchor light and deck lights to safely illuminate the length of the vessel

20)- A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver is

A - a vessel which has suffered some damage to its steering or propulsion systems
B - a vessel restricted because of her draft
C - a vessel with limited maneuverability due to the nature of her work
D - all of the above

21)- You are operating in heavy fog and hear a bell ringing off your port bow followed by a gong heard off your starboard bow. These signals indicate...

A - an anchored vessel on port and an dredge on starboard
B - a tug towing multiple barges, with the tug ahead to starboard and the last barge on port
C - an anchored tanker longer than 100 meters
D - a tow longer than than 200 meters

22)- You are closing in on a slower vessel while navigating in a narrow channel in international waters and wish to overtake on her port side. You should...

A - sound two short blasts
B - sound two prolonged blast immediately followed by two short blasts
C - sound one short blast
D - sound one prolonged blast

23)- Which of the following lights can be shown by a law enforcement vessel ?

A - a flashing blue light
B - a flashing yellow light
C - three green lights
D - a flashing red and yellow light

24)- You are in a crossing situation on inland waters with another power vessel to starboard. You must stay out of his way if

A - a risk of collision exists
B - you will pass within half a mile
C - your vessel is faster
D - your vessel is bigger

25)- You are underway in fog and hear a signal consisting of three rings of a bell followed by 5 seconds of rapid ringing of the bell and 3 more rings. This indicates

A - a vessel not under command
B - a vessel longer than 100 meters aground
C - a vessel longer than 200 meters aground
D - a vessel longer than 100 meters aground

26)- You are the stand on vessel, in order for you to take action in a situation, you must determine that the other vessel...

A - has not changed course since a collision risk become apparent
B - is not taking appropriate action
C - has sounded a five blasts danger signal
D - appears to be following an eratic course

27)- Which fog signal will you NOT not hear while underway ?

A - a bell ringing for 5 seconds every two minutes
B - one prolonged blast of the horn every two minutes
C - two prolonged blasts of the horn every two minutes
D - two prolonged / four short blasts of the horn every two minutes

28)- When must you show navigation lights ?

A - when underway at night
B - when underway at night and in restricted visibility
C - at all time while underway
D - when underway at night or in fog

29)- A vessel which displays three red lights vertically aligned in international waters will display the following dayshape :

A - three balls
B - ball diamond ball
C - a vertical cylinder
D - two cones point to point

30)- You are approaching another vessel but can't figure out his intention, which statement is true ?

A - you may sound five short blasts if no passing signals had been exchanged
B - you must sound five short blasts
C - you must sound one 5 second blast
D - you should always stay at least 1/4 mile from such vessel