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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 701–800 of 1,168 · page 8 of 12

  1. #1728 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing at night, with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally outwards, will show in the direction of t...
  2. #1729 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which shape(s) would be displayed by the vessel engaged in the operation indicated by the lights shown in illustration D08... illustration
  3. #1730 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which light(s) shall a vessel engaged in fishing, and at anchor show?
  4. #1731 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When is a fishing vessel required to show sidelights and a stern light?
  5. #1732 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which identification lights would you see on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling?
  6. #1733 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing during the day would show which shape?
  7. #1734 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights shall a vessel trawling display?
  8. #1735 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is required to show a green light over a white light in a vertical line above the level of the sidelights?
  9. #1736 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel that is underway at night is required to display the lights shown in illustration D069RR below? illustration
  10. #1737 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which identification lights are required to be exhibited on a vessel engaged in trawling?
  11. #1738 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by showing two cones with the apexes together?
  12. #1739 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is required to display the shapes shown in illustration D007RR below? illustration
  13. #1740 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights is a vessel not under command, underway but not making way, required to exhibit?
  14. #1741 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance, shall show two red lights in a vertical line an...
  15. #1742 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When is a power-driven vessel "not under command" at night required to show her sidelights?
  16. #1743 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two all-round red lights displayed in a vertical line are shown by which vessel?
  17. #1744 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights is a vessel not under command making way at night is required to show?
  18. #1745 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which light(s) is/are required to be shown by a dredge to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass due...
  19. #1746 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is TRUE for a self-propelled dredge NOT engaged in dredging, but proceeding to a dredging location at night?
  20. #1747 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, which shape is required for a dredge to exhibit to indicate the side on which it is safe to pass?
  21. #1748 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which lights shall a vessel exhibit to indicate that she is restricted in her ability to maneuver?
  22. #1749 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By day, you sight a vessel displaying three shapes in a vertical line. The top and bottom shapes are balls, and the middle...
  23. #1750 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would show 3 shapes in a vertical line, the highest and lowest being balls and the middle shape being a diamo...
  24. #1751 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights would be shown at night by a vessel which is restricted in her ability to maneuver?
  25. #1752 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway, you see a vessel displaying the shapes shown in illustration D006RR below. Which action should you take? illustration
  26. #1753 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the following describes a vessel exhibiting the shapes shown in illustration D018RR below? illustration
  27. #1754 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel shall exhibit a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A"?
  28. #1755 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which shapes shall a vessel servicing a pipeline during the day display?
  29. #1756 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing astern in an operation which severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate...
  30. #1757 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel's tow severely restricts their ability to deviate from their course. Which lights shall be exhibited from the tow...
  31. #1758 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations shows special identity lights. Which is a requirement of these lights?
  32. #1759 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is the duration of each prolonged blast on whistle signals used by a power-driven vessel in fog, whether making way...
  33. #1760 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which equipment, to generate fog signals, is required on a vessel 20 meters in length?
  34. #1761 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a bend in a channel. You cannot see around the bend because of the height of the bank. Which action ar...
  35. #1762 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. Which signal should you sound if you think the give-way vessel is NOT...
  36. #1763 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a narrow channel and are being overtaken by a vessel astern. The overtaking vessel sounds a signal ind...
  37. #1764 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway your vessel approaches a bend in a river where, due to the bank, you cannot see around the bend. Which acti...
  38. #1765 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does five or more short blasts on a vessel's whistle indicate?
  39. #1766 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a narrow channel and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. The overtaking vessel sounds a signal...
  40. #1767 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel nearing a bend in the channel where, because of the height of the bank, you cannot see a vessel approa...
  41. #1768 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You do NOT understand the course or intention of an approaching vessel. Which signal should you sound?
  42. #1769 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstructi...
  43. #1770 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel nearing a bend where other vessels may be obscured is required to sound which signal?
  44. #1771 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. If you think the give-way vessel is NOT taking sufficient action to a...
  45. #1772 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What does a light signal of three flashes mean?
  46. #1773 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you observe a vessel ahead exhibiting three flashes of a white light. What does this signal indicate?
  47. #1774 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which whistle signal is required to be sounded by a vessel operating astern propulsion?
  48. #1775 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is TRUE for fog signals of vessels underway and making way?
  49. #1776 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a dense fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. Which vessel is required...
  50. #1777 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog bell signals for vessels at anchor or aground shall be sounded at not more than which time interval?
  51. #1778 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear a rapid ringing of a bell ahead. Which vessel would this signal indicate?
  52. #1779 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a dense fog you hear a whistle signal ahead of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. Which vessel is requ...
  53. #1780 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 95 meter vessel aground is required to sounds which fog signal?
  54. #1781 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast may be sounded by which vessel?
  55. #1782 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor, would sound which fog signal?
  56. #1783 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast may be sounded by a vessel in which situation?
  57. #1784 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When is "risk of collision" considered to exist?
  58. #1785 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on watch in the fog. Your vessel is proceeding at a safe speed when you hear a fog signal ahead of you. The Rules...
  59. #1786 INLAND ONLY You are on power-driven vessel "I" and in sight of power-driven vessel "II" as shown in illustration D036RR below. Vessel "II" sounds one... illustration
  60. #1787 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When shall a proper look-out shall be maintained?
  61. #1788 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Sailing vessels are considered the stand-on vessel over power-driven vessels, except in which of the following situations?
  62. #1789 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which action should be avoided if it becomes necessary for a stand-on vessel to take action to avoid collision?
  63. #1790 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Under the Rules, any vessel may slacken her speed, stop, or reverse her engines. What should this action accomplish?
  64. #1791 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two vessels are in immediate danger of collision, the stand-on vessel must take which action?
  65. #1792 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When may a vessel enter a traffic separation zone?
  66. #1793 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When does the rule regarding look-outs apply?
  67. #1794 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When must a vessel proceed at a safe speed?
  68. #1795 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. Which is one of the factors...
  69. #1796 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are crossing a narrow channel on your 15-meter vessel. A deeply loaded cargo vessel is proceeding down the channel as... illustration
  70. #1797 INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, and you wish to overtake on the other vessel's port side. What whistle...
  71. #1798 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When is your vessel travelling at a "safe speed" as defined in the COLREGS?
  72. #1799 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of all of the following with the exception of which vessel?
  73. #1800 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND There are vessels which, to the extent necessary to carry out their work, do not have to comply with the rules regarding t...
  74. #1801 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that certain factors are to be taken into account when determining safe speed. Which factors are included?
  75. #1802 INLAND ONLY Your power-driven vessel is overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. You wish to overtake her on her starboard side. Wh...
  76. #1803 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see another vessel approaching, and its compass bearing does not significantly change. What does this indicate?
  77. #1804 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are watching another vessel approach and her compass bearing is not changing. What does this indicate?
  78. #1805 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Risk of collision exists when an approaching vessel is observed under which situation?
  79. #1806 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND To determine if risk of collision exists, a vessel which is fitted with radar must use which observation technique(s)?
  80. #1807 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When do the Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist?
  81. #1808 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When do the Rules state that risk of collision shall be deemed to exist?
  82. #1809 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By radar alone, you detect a vessel ahead on a collision course, about 3 miles distant. Your radar plot shows this to be a...
  83. #1810 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The purpose of established traffic separation schemes is to do which of the following?
  84. #1811 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night is one in which you see dead ahead a vessel showing which light(s)?
  85. #1812 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway on vessel "B" approaching vessel "A" as shown in illustration D038RR below. You are unable to see any sid... illustration
  86. #1813 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the watch officer on a power-driven vessel and notice a large sailing vessel approaching from astern. Which action...
  87. #1814 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning two approaching sailing vessels?
  88. #1815 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You sight another power-driven vessel dead ahead showing both the red and green sidelights. Which action are you required...
  89. #1816 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels meeting in a "head-on" situation are directed by the Rules to take which action?
  90. #1817 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is underway and pushing ahead when vessel "B" is sighted off the starboard bow as shown in illustration D005RR... illustration
  91. #1818 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is TRUE if your vessel is the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation?
  92. #1819 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of which vessel?
  93. #1820 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway and fishing shall keep out of the way of which vessel?
  94. #1821 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You hear the fog signal of another vessel forward of your beam. Risk of collision may exist. You are required to take whic...
  95. #1822 INLAND ONLY At night, which lights are required on barges moored in a group formation, more than two barges wide, and located where other vessels cann...
  96. #1823 INLAND ONLY Which of the following is true regarding a "special flashing light"?
  97. #1824 INLAND ONLY What lights are required for a barge being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit?
  98. #1825 INLAND ONLY You are meeting another power-driven vessel head-on and sound one short blast as a passing signal. The other vessel answers with two short...
  99. #1826 INLAND ONLY Two vessels in a crossing situation have reached agreement by radiotelephone. In this situation, which statement is TRUE concerning whistl...
  100. #1827 INLAND ONLY You are proceeding against the current on a river in the Great Lakes System. You are meeting a downbound vessel. Both vessels are power-dr...

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.