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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 401–500 of 1,168 · page 5 of 12

  1. #856 INLAND ONLY When two power-driven vessels are meeting on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, where there is a curre...
  2. #859 INLAND ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel proceeding down a channel, with the current, on a river on the Great Lakes System. If you meet another po...
  3. #861 INLAND ONLY You are approaching a vessel displaying the lights as shown in illustration D075RR below. What type of situation is this? illustration
  4. #862 INLAND ONLY You are on vessel "A", and vessel "B" desires to overtake you on your starboard side as shown in illustration D031RR below. After the vess... illustration
  5. #863 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...
  6. #864 INLAND ONLY Which is TRUE of a power-driven vessel, bound downstream, when meeting an upbound vessel on the Western Rivers?
  7. #866 Your vessel is crossing a river on the Great Lakes System. A power-driven vessel is ascending the river, crossing your course from port to starboard....
  8. #867 INLAND ONLY Which light(s) shall be shown at night on a moored barge which reduces the navigable width of any channel to less than 80 meters?
  9. #868 INLAND ONLY A fleet of moored barges extends into a navigable channel. What is the color of the lights on the barges?
  10. #869 INLAND ONLY At night, what lights are required on barges moored in a group formation more than two barges wide?
  11. #870 INLAND ONLY Yellow lights are NOT used to identify which of the following?
  12. #871 INLAND ONLY The masthead light may be located at other than the fore and aft centerline on which power-driven vessel?
  13. #872 INLAND ONLY What must a partially submerged object towed by a vessel show during the day?
  14. #873 INLAND ONLY At night, you see the lights shown in illustration D075RR below. These lights are shown by what type of vessel? illustration
  15. #875 INLAND ONLY You are approaching a vessel displaying the lights as shown in illustration D075RR below. What type of situation is this? illustration
  16. #877 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
  17. #878 INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside on the Western Rivers (above the Huey P. Long Bridge on the Mississippi River...
  18. #879 INLAND ONLY If your tug is pushing a barge ahead at night and it is not a composite unit, which light(s) should show aft on your vessel?
  19. #886 INLAND ONLY Which of the following signals may be exhibited by a vessel trawling in close proximity to other fishing vessels?
  20. #887 INLAND ONLY Vessels engaged in fishing may show the additional signals as described in Rule 26 when they are in which of the following situations?
  21. #888 INLAND ONLY You see the lights shown in illustration D085RR below while proceeding in a channel. What action should you take? illustration
  22. #889 INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown in illustration D081RR below with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed indicate whic... illustration
  23. #890 INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown in illustration D081RR below with the yellow lights flashing. The lights displayed should have w... illustration
  24. #891 INLAND ONLY While underway you sight the lights shown in illustration D081RR below with the yellow lights flashing, what action should you take? illustration
  25. #892 INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel intends to overtake another power-driven vessel on the overtaken vessel's port side. What whistle signal should be s...
  26. #893 INLAND ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown in illustration D036RR below. Vessel "II" is a power-driven vessel engaged in fishing that w... illustration
  27. #894 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 statement is TRUE? illustration
  28. #895 INLAND ONLY You are crossing the course of another vessel which is to your starboard. You have reached an agreement by radiotelephone to pass astern o...
  29. #896 INLAND ONLY Passing signals shall be sounded on inland waters by __________.
  30. #897 INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown in illustration D042RR below. Vessel "A" sounds one shor... illustration
  31. #898 INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave her on your starboard side. You may __________.
  32. #899 INLAND ONLY You are overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave her on your starboard side. You may __________.
  33. #900 INLAND ONLY You are overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel and wish to leave her on your starboard side. You may __________.
  34. #902 INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown in illustration D029RR below and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? illustration
  35. #903 INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning a passing agreement made by radiotelephone?
  36. #904 INLAND ONLY At night, a light signal consisting of two flashes by a vessel indicates __________.
  37. #906 INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown in illustration D029RR below and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TRUE? illustration
  38. #908 INLAND ONLY Vessel "A" is power-driven and overtaking power-driven vessel "B" as shown in illustration D017RR below and will pass without changing cou... illustration
  39. #910 INLAND ONLY One and two short blast signals must be sounded on inland waters when __________.
  40. #911 INLAND ONLY Under the Inland Navigation Rules, what is the meaning of the two short blasts signal used when meeting another vessel?
  41. #912 INLAND ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown in illustration D029RR below and will pass about 1/4 mile apart. Which statement is TR... illustration
  42. #913 INLAND ONLY Maneuvering signals shall be sounded on inland waters by __________.
  43. #914 INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown in illustration D037RR below. What does one short blast by vessel "A" mean? illustration
  44. #915 INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown in illustration D037RR below. What does one short blast from either vessel... illustration
  45. #916 INLAND ONLY You are aboard the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You sound a one blast whistle signal. The give-way vessel answers with a two b...
  46. #917 INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown in illustration D037RR below and will pass within 1/2 mile of each other. W... illustration
  47. #918 INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within a half a mile of each other as shown in illustration D042RR below. Vessel "A" sounds one shor... illustration
  48. #919 INLAND ONLY Two vessels are in a starboard to starboard meeting situation and will pass well clear approximately 1/4 mile apart. Which action should e...
  49. #920 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...
  50. #922 INLAND ONLY You are approaching a sharp bend in a river. You have sounded a prolonged blast and it has been answered by a vessel on the other side of...
  51. #923 INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, must sound what signal?
  52. #927 INLAND ONLY The stand-on vessel in a crossing situation sounds one short blast of the whistle. This means that the vessel __________.
  53. #928 INLAND ONLY What is the required whistle signal for a power-driven vessel leaving a dock or berth?
  54. #932 INLAND ONLY You have made your vessel up to a tow and are moving from a pier out into the main channel. Your engines are turning ahead. What whistle s...
  55. #934 INLAND ONLY You are proceeding up a channel in Chesapeake Bay and are meeting an outbound vessel. There is no current. You MUST __________.
  56. #936 INLAND ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.
  57. #937 INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a canal boat 25 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved by...
  58. #941 INLAND ONLY A law enforcement vessel patrolling a marine regatta may exhibit a flashing blue light or which of the following alternates?
  59. #942 INLAND ONLY A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) identity light(s). Which of the following is appropriate for thes...
  60. #943 INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. Which of the following vessels may...
  61. #944 INLAND ONLY Which of the following may be displayed by a commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities?
  62. #945 INLAND ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in an overtaking situation. The other vessel is showing an alternately flashing red-and-yellow light. What act...
  63. #946 INLAND ONLY Which of the following is indicated by a vessel displaying a flashing blue light?
  64. #947 INLAND ONLY A vessel engaged in public safety activities may display an alternately flashing red and yellow light. This special light may be used by a...
  65. #948 INLAND ONLY Which light(s) are permitted ONLY for law enforcement vessels?
  66. #949 INLAND ONLY You sight a vessel displaying an alternating red and yellow light. What does this light indicate?
  67. #950 INLAND ONLY While underway during the day you sight a small motorboat showing a flashing blue light. What does the blue light indicate?
  68. #951 INLAND ONLY A flashing blue light is used to identify which of the following vessels?
  69. #952 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a vessel that cannot comply with the spacing requirement for masthead lights. What is required in this situation?
  70. #953 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Where do the International Rules of the Road apply?
  71. #954 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement applies to a vessel "constrained by her draft"?
  72. #955 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning a vessel "constrained by her draft"?
  73. #959 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, a signal of intent which must be answered by the other vessel, is sounded during which of the following situat...
  74. #960 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is crossing a narrow channel. A vessel to port is within the channel and crossing your course. She is showing a black c...
  75. #962 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In which case would an overtaking vessel sound a whistle signal of two prolonged followed by one short blast?
  76. #967 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In international waters, you are on Vessel "I" in the situation as shown in illustration D036RR below. Vessel "II" sounds one short... illustration
  77. #968 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are in a crossing situation on the high seas as shown in illustration D014RR below. Vessel "B" sounds one short... illustration
  78. #969 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are approaching another vessel and will pass starboard to starboard without danger if no course changes are made. What action s...
  79. #970 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on a power-driven vessel "I" as shown in illustration D036RR below. Vessel "II" is a vessel engaged in fishing. The vessels... illustration
  80. #981 INTERNATIONAL ONLY What statement is TRUE when operating in fog and other vessels are detected by radar?
  81. #982 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A wing in ground (WIG) craft cannot comply with the spacing requirement for masthead lights. What is required in this situation?
  82. #986 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown in illustration D041RR below, and will pass 1/4 mile apart. Which light on vess... illustration
  83. #987 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You see the lights shown in illustration D066RR below. What do these lights indicate? illustration
  84. #989 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A partially submerged object towed by a vessel, during the day, must display which of the following shapes?
  85. #990 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessels "A" and "B" are meeting on a river as shown in illustration D041RR below and will pass 1/4 mile apart. If you are on vessel... illustration
  86. #992 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which of the following does NOT exhibit a yellow light?
  87. #993 INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night, you sight the lights shown in illustration D055RR below. What do the lights indicate? illustration
  88. #999 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Additional light signals are provided in the Annexes to the Rules for which of the following vessels?
  89. #1005 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel may NOT exhibit two red lights in a vertical line?
  90. #1007 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 13 meters in length?
  91. #1008 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is the minimum fog signal required aboard a vessel between 12 meters and 20 meters in length at anchor?
  92. #1012 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A power-driven vessel leaving a quay or wharf must sound what signal?
  93. #1013 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A signal of intent must be sounded in international waters during which of the following situations?
  94. #1019 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is backing out of a slip in a harbor and you can see that other vessels are approaching. You should sound which of the...
  95. #1020 INTERNATIONAL ONLY On open water two vessels are in an overtaking situation. The overtaking vessel has just sounded one short blast on the whistle. Wh...
  96. #1021 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on vessel "A" as shown in illustration D032RR below. Vessel "B" sounds two short blasts. What action should you take? illustration
  97. #1022 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are crossing within one half mile of each other as shown in illustration D042RR below. Vessel "A" sounds o... illustration
  98. #1024 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters as shown in illustration D017RR below and will pass without changing course. Wha... illustration
  99. #1025 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown in illustration D037RR below. What does one short blast from either... illustration
  100. #1026 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in the situation as shown in illustration D037RR below. What does two short blasts from either... illustration

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.