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Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies > Travel & Transportation

Navigation Rules Practice Test: Ready to Ace It?

Think you can ace this nav rules practice test? Challenge your USCG rules of the road knowledge now!

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: St.Angela ChoirUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration ship compass nautical chart for USCG navigation rules quiz on dark blue background

Use this free navigation rules practice test to prepare for USCG Rules of the Road and spot gaps before your exam. It covers right-of-way, lights, and sound signals. Warm up with the practice set , then try the timed navigation lights drill for more reps.

In a head-on situation between two power-driven vessels in international waters, what is the required action?
Either vessel may choose to alter to port if safe
Larger vessel maintains course; smaller vessel gives way to port
Stand-on vessel maintains course while give-way alters to port
Both vessels alter course to starboard and pass port-to-port (Correct: COLREG Rule 14 requires both power-driven vessels to alter to starboard).
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When overtaking another vessel, which statement best describes the responsibilities of the overtaking vessel in all conditions of visibility?
The vessel being overtaken must keep out of the way
The faster vessel automatically has right of way
The overtaking vessel is the give-way vessel and must keep clear (Correct: COLREG Rule 13).
The vessel on starboard side is always stand-on
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In restricted visibility, which sound signal must a power-driven vessel making way sound at intervals not more than 2 minutes?
One prolonged and two short blasts
One prolonged blast (Correct: COLREG Rule 35).
Five short rapid blasts
Two prolonged blasts
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A power-driven vessel crossing from your starboard side with risk of collision exists. What must you do?
Sound five short blasts and hold course
Take early and substantial action to keep well clear, usually by altering to starboard (Correct: COLREG Rule 15 and Rule 8).
Alter to port to pass starboard-to-starboard
Maintain course and speed regardless
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What lights must a power-driven vessel under 50 meters in length, underway, exhibit at night?
Sidelights and sternlight only
Masthead light(s), sidelights, and a sternlight (Correct: COLREG Rule 23).
Two masthead lights regardless of length
All-round white light only
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A vessel at anchor in fog must sound which signal?
Rapid ringing of the bell for about 5 seconds every minute (Correct: COLREG Rule 35).
One short, one prolonged, one short every minute
Two prolonged blasts every two minutes
One prolonged blast every two minutes
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Which sound signal is the danger signal when doubt exists as to another vessel's intentions?
Two prolonged blasts
One prolonged and two short blasts
Three short blasts
At least five short and rapid blasts (Correct: Rule 34).
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Which day shape indicates a vessel constrained by her draft in international waters?
A black cone, apex up
A black cylinder (Correct: COLREG Rule 28, international only).
A black ball
Two black balls in a vertical line
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You intend to overtake another vessel on her starboard side in inland waters. What sound signal should you make?
One short blast (Correct: Inland Rule 34 indicates intention to leave the other on your port side, i.e., overtake on her starboard).
Two short blasts
Five short blasts
One prolonged blast
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Which vessel has the highest precedence to be kept out of the way by other vessels under the hierarchy of responsibilities in COLREG Rule 18?
Vessel constrained by draft
Power-driven vessel
Sailing vessel
Vessel not under command
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At night, you see a vessel displaying red over white all-round lights in a vertical line. What is it?
A vessel engaged in diving operations
A vessel constrained by draft
A pilot vessel on duty
A fishing vessel other than trawling (Correct: COLREG Rule 26).
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In a narrow channel, what is the primary obligation of a vessel proceeding along the channel?
Navigate in the centerline regardless of traffic
Always sound one prolonged blast
Keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway on her starboard side as is safe (Correct: COLREG Rule 9).
Maintain maximum speed to clear the channel quickly
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A vessel engaged in dredging displays two black balls in a vertical line on her obstructed side. What must an approaching vessel do?
Stop and wait until dredging is complete
Sound one prolonged blast and pass close aboard
Avoid the obstructed side and pass on the side showing two diamonds (Correct: COLREG Rule 27).
Pass on either side; diamonds and balls are advisory only
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Which vessel must exhibit three all-round red lights in a vertical line?
A pilot vessel at anchor
A vessel constrained by her draft in inland waters
A sailing vessel over 20 meters
A vessel constrained by draft does not; a vessel not under command exhibits two red. Three red indicates restricted in ability to maneuver, with obstruction
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A vessel engaged in towing with a tow exceeding 200 meters must display which additional light(s)?
Three masthead lights in a vertical line (Correct: COLREG Rule 24).
Two sternlights
Red over white all-round lights
Green over white all-round lights
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Which action is correct for the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation when the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action?
Sound two prolonged blasts and stop engines
Increase speed to pass ahead
Immediately alter to port regardless
May take action to avoid collision after it becomes apparent the give-way is not acting; must avoid altering to port for a vessel on her own port side (Correct: COLREG Rule 17).
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Which arc of visibility is correct for sidelights on a power-driven vessel?
112.5 degrees each, showing from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam (Correct: COLREG Annex I).
90 degrees each
225 degrees combined
135 degrees each
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What is the correct fog signal for a vessel not under command making no way through the water?
Two prolonged blasts every minute
One prolonged followed by two short blasts at intervals not more than 2 minutes (Correct: COLREG Rule 35 for NUC/RAM/towing restricted).
Rapid ringing of bell for 5 seconds every 2 minutes
Five short blasts every 2 minutes
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At night, you sight a vessel showing a single all-round white light and sidelights but no masthead light. What is the likely vessel?
A power-driven vessel less than 12 meters permitted to show an all-round white in lieu of masthead and stern light (Correct: COLREG Rule 23(d)).
A vessel not under command
A vessel at anchor
A sailing vessel under 7 meters
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A vessel engaged in mineclearance operations displays three all-round green lights. What is required of other vessels?
Pass on the starboard side only
Maintain full speed to minimize time in the area
Keep outside a safe distance of 1000 meters if possible and avoid passing close aboard (Correct: COLREG Rule 27(f)).
Sound two long blasts before passing
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Navigation Principles -

    Gain a clear grasp of fundamental maritime navigation rules, including right-of-way and safe passage guidelines tested in the navigation rules practice test.

  2. Identify Vessel Lights and Shapes -

    Learn to recognize and interpret the various lights, shapes, and signals vessels display under the USCG rules of the road questions and answers.

  3. Apply Right-of-Way Rules -

    Practice making split-second decisions in realistic scenarios to determine which vessel has priority and avoid collisions on the water.

  4. Analyze Scenario-Based Questions -

    Develop critical thinking skills by working through navigation rules practice quiz questions modeled on real-life maritime situations.

  5. Evaluate Performance and Progress -

    Use detailed feedback from the maritime navigation rules test to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses and chart a path for further study.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Safe Speed Assessment -

    Under Rule 6 of the COLREGS, safe speed depends on visibility, traffic density, maneuverability, and weather. Remember the mnemonic "A.I.R.S." (Assessment, Instruments, Radar, Surroundings) to cover all key factors. Practicing this on a navigation rules practice test helps you internalize real-world decision-making.

  2. Risk of Collision -

    Rule 7 requires constant monitoring by radar and visual lookout; if bearing to another vessel remains constant, a collision risk exists. Use the "constant bearing, decreasing range" formula to spot dangers early. Quizzing yourself with uscg rules of the road questions and answers reinforces quick hazard recognition.

  3. Stand-On vs. Give-Way Roles -

    Rules 13 - 17 define that stand-on vessels maintain course and speed, while give-way vessels take early, substantial action. A handy phrase is "S stands still, G goes away" to recall who yields. Testing these scenarios in a nav rules practice test builds confident split-second choices.

  4. Navigation Lights & Shapes -

    Rules 23 - 31 specify port (red) and starboard (green) lights, plus masthead and stern lights. Remember "Red-Right-Returning" for small craft and "Red over Green, Sailing's Seen" for sailboats. Drilling these on a navigation rules practice quiz ensures instant identification even at night.

  5. Sound Signal Conventions -

    Rule 34 outlines whistle blasts: one short for starboard, two for port, and three for astern. Practice the "1-2-3 Starboard-Port-Astern" pattern to lock it into muscle memory. Including these in your maritime navigation rules test prep turns theory into onboard confidence.

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