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Deck · 1,168 questions

Rules of the Road - USCG Exam Questions

Steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes, and sound signals, covering both the international COLREGs and the U.S. Inland Rules. This is the strictest module on the deck exam: it requires 90 percent to pass.

Every question below is a real U.S. Coast Guard exam question with four choices. Answer one and the correct choice is revealed instantly, with the USCG reference and illustration where the question uses one.

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All Rules of the Road questions

Questions 901–1,000 of 1,168 · page 10 of 12

  1. #1928 INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting on a clear day and will pass less than half a mile apart. Which is TRUE in this situation for whistle...
  2. #1929 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of which vessel(s)?
  3. #1930 INLAND ONLY When shall whistle signals be exchanged by power-driven vessels in sight of one another?
  4. #1931 INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel proceeding downstream in a narrow channel on the Western Rivers sights another power-driven vessel moving upstream....
  5. #1932 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules make which statement about a seaplane?
  6. #1933 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is TRUE for a vessel in a traffic separation scheme that is joining a traffic lane from the side?
  7. #1934 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel in an 18-meter tug when you sight a loaded tankship off your port bow coming up the chan...
  8. #1935 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When action to avoid a close-quarters situation is taken, a course change alone may be the most effective action provided...
  9. #1936 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel. She is about one mile distant and is on your starboard bow. You believe she will cross...
  10. #1937 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is a key requirement when taking action to avoid collision?
  11. #1938 INLAND ONLY Which lights are required for a barge, not part of a composite unit, being pushed ahead?
  12. #1939 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a narrow channel. Another vessel in the channel can only be navigated safely in that channel. Which ac...
  13. #1940 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE for a vessel proceeding along a narrow channel?
  14. #1941 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in a channel, which action should you take, if it is safe and practicable?
  15. #1942 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are preparing to cross a narrow channel. You see a vessel that can only be navigated safely within the channel. Which...
  16. #1943 INLAND ONLY Which indicates the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?
  17. #1944 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your power-driven vessel is NOT making way, but is not in any way disabled. Another power-driven vessel is approaching you...
  18. #1945 INLAND ONLY Power-driven vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown in illustration D041RR below and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. Which ac... illustration
  19. #1946 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 15-meter vessel is crossing a narrow channel and a large cargo vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your...
  20. #1947 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE for Traffic separation schemes?
  21. #1948 INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE of a power-driven vessel proceeding downbound with the current, when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rive...
  22. #1949 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in heavy fog. You hear the fog signal of a vessel which is somewhere ahead of your vessel. Which action(s...
  23. #1950 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of which vessel(s)?
  24. #1951 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is TRUE for a vessel using a traffic separation scheme?
  25. #1952 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE for a vessel using a traffic separation scheme?
  26. #1953 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall NOT take which action?
  27. #1954 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway you sight a vessel displaying the shapes shown in illustration D006RR below. What action should you take? illustration
  28. #1955 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which light(s) will be visible to a vessel overtaking another vessel?
  29. #1956 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement applies to a situation where a sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel?
  30. #1957 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When do the Rules state that a vessel overtaking another vessel is relieved of her duty to keep clear?
  31. #1958 INLAND ONLY You are meeting "head-on" a tug towing a barge alongside about a mile away. In addition to the white masthead lights which other lights do...
  32. #1959 INLAND ONLY A 150 meter vessel is proceeding down the course of a narrow channel in the Great Lakes System. A 60-meter vessel is starting to cross the...
  33. #1960 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When must a sailing vessel keep her course and speed?
  34. #1961 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is on course 000°T. Vessel "B" is on a course such that she is involved in a head-on situation and is beari...
  35. #1962 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on vessel "A" towing a barge alongside and meeting power-driven vessel "B" as shown in illustration D039RR below.... illustration
  36. #1963 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on and there is a risk of collision, which action is required to be taken?
  37. #1964 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "head-on" situation shall be deemed to exist at night when which of the conditions are met?
  38. #1965 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night occurs when you can see which light(s)?
  39. #1966 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which describes a head-on situation?
  40. #1967 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a power-driven vessel navigating at night. You sight the red sidelight of another vessel on your port...
  41. #1968 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel has on her port side a sailing vessel which is on a collision course. Which action is the power-driv...
  42. #1969 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Every vessel which is directed by these Rules to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, if the circumstances of the...
  43. #1970 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard the give-way vessel in a crossing situation. Which action should be avoided?
  44. #1971 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall take which action?
  45. #1972 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 20° on your starboard bow. Ris...
  46. #1973 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is TRUE of a stand-on vessel?
  47. #1974 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. The other vessel is 1.5 miles to port. Which action should...
  48. #1975 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. How long may you hold your course and speed?
  49. #1976 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation on open waters, which does a sailing vessel NOT have to "keep out of the way of"?
  50. #1977 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A", a power-driven vessel underway, sights vessel "B" which is a vessel underway and fishing as shown in illustrat... illustration
  51. #1978 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessels I and II are underway as shown in illustration D033RR below. Vessel I is a sailing vessel with the wind dead aft.... illustration
  52. #1979 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel(s) shall a power-driven vessel underway "keep out of the way of"?
  53. #1980 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Except where specifically required by the rules, a sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of which vessel?
  54. #1981 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog you observe your radar and determine that risk of collision exists with a vessel which is 2 miles off your port bow...
  55. #1982 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in restricted visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 22° on your starboard bow....
  56. #1983 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 30° on your starboard b...
  57. #1984 INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel proceeding downstream in a narrow channel on the Western Rivers sights another power driven vessel moving upstream....
  58. #1985 INLAND ONLY In a narrow channel, you are underway on power-driven vessel "A" and desire to overtake power-driven vessel "B". After you sound two short...
  59. #1986 INLAND ONLY You are on power-driven vessel "A" and power-driven vessel "B" desires to overtake you on the starboard side as shown in illustration D038... illustration
  60. #1987 INLAND ONLY Your power-driven vessel is meeting another vessel head-on. To comply with the steering and sailing rules what action should you take?
  61. #1988 INLAND ONLY When is a vessel required to exhibit a special flashing light?
  62. #1989 INLAND ONLY What MAY be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?
  63. #1990 INLAND ONLY Which lights are required for a single barge being towed alongside?
  64. #1991 INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown in illustration D041RR below and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which is one of the lights... illustration
  65. #1992 INLAND ONLY You are a power-driven vessel proceeding in a channel in inland waters and are meeting an outbound power-driven vessel. Your responsibilit...
  66. #1993 INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in sight of one another, when shall passing signals be sounded?
  67. #1994 INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels, "A" and "B" , are meeting on a river as shown in illustration D041RR below and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. W... illustration
  68. #1995 INLAND ONLY You are meeting another vessel in inland waters, and she sounds one short blast on the whistle. What does this signal mean?
  69. #1996 INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are crossing, what does a signal of one short blast by either vessel mean?
  70. #1997 INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in a crossing situation, what does one short blast by either vessel indicate?
  71. #1998 INLAND ONLY In a narrow channel, a power-driven vessel desiring to overtake another power-driven vessel on the other vessel's starboard side will soun...
  72. #1999 INLAND ONLY What whistle signal would you sound if you are overtaking another power-driven vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand?
  73. #2000 INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. The other vessel will have to move to allow you to pass. You wish to o...
  74. #2001 INLAND ONLY What signal is a power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, required to sound?
  75. #2002 INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel and sound a whistle signal indicating that you intend to pass the vessel along her starboar...
  76. #2003 INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a barge 35 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the S...
  77. #2004 INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a vessel 15 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by the...
  78. #2005 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are operating a vessel in a narrow channel. Your vessel must stay within the channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is...
  79. #2006 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel, and you intend to pass along the vessel's port side. This action can only take...
  80. #2007 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, so as to pass on the power-driven vessel's port side. The...
  81. #2008 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel on the overtaking vessel's port side. This action requires the overtaken vessel...
  82. #2009 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, a vessel trying to overtake another on the other vessel's port side, would sound which whistle signal?
  83. #2010 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, an overtaking vessel which intends to pass on the other vessel's port side would sound which signal?
  84. #2011 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, an overtaking vessel intends to PASS on the other vessel's port side. This overtaking action can only take pla...
  85. #2012 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. After the overtaking vessel sounds the proper...
  86. #2013 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?
  87. #2014 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown in illustration D036RR below. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing within 1/2 a... illustration
  88. #2015 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE, according to the Rules?
  89. #2016 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel shall avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draft?
  90. #2017 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Of the vessels listed, which must keep out of the way of all the others?
  91. #2018 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel is to keep out of the way of the others?
  92. #2019 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In addition to other required lights, which lights does a power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside display?
  93. #2020 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which light(s) shall a single vessel being towed alongside show?
  94. #2021 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will show sidelights, a stern light, and which additional light(s)?
  95. #2022 INTERNATIONAL ONLY As seen in illustration D016RR below, which additional shape must you show on the forward end of an inconspicuous partially submerg... illustration
  96. #2023 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which light(s) will a 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside display?
  97. #2024 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which lights is a 45-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside required to display?
  98. #2025 INTERNATIONAL ONLY If a towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course, the towing vessel shall show...
  99. #2026 INTERNATIONAL ONLY What shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?
  100. #2027 INTERNATIONAL ONLY If a vessel displays three all-round red lights in a vertical line at night, during the day which shape(s) may she show?

Rules of the Road questions: what to expect

Q How many Rules of the Road questions are in the Deck pool?

There are 1,168 Rules of the Road questions on this site, every one released by the U.S. Coast Guard or taken from the National Maritime Center's sample examinations, with its correct answer. The exam draws its Rules of the Road module from the same pool.

Q What score do I need to pass the Rules of the Road module?

Rules of the Road requires 90 percent, the highest passing score on the exam. On a 30-question module that leaves room for three mistakes, so most candidates make it the center of their study plan.

Q Are these the real USCG Rules of the Road exam questions?

Yes. They are the published U.S. Coast Guard questions, matched to the National Maritime Center's 2026 sample examinations. Answer any question to see the correct choice, the USCG reference and the illustration where the question uses one.

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About the Deck question pool

The Deck pool holds the current U.S. Coast Guard questions for every deck credential, from Able Seaman and the OUPV six-pack up to unlimited Master. Each question is multiple choice with four options, graded instantly, with the USCG reference shown where one exists.