USCGQ
Log in Start free
USCGQ
Toggle sidebar
Home
Deck
Retired questions · Rules of the Road
Start practicing

Deck · 481 questions

Retired questions · Rules of the Road - USCG Exam Questions

These are retired questions the Coast Guard no longer draws exams from. They stay online for reference; the current questions are in Rules of the Road.

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.

Random question Start at question 1 Build a timed exam

All Retired questions · Rules of the Road questions

Questions 1–100 of 481 · page 1 of 5

  1. #1 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may use any sound or light signals to attract the attention of another vessel as long as __________.
  2. #2 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power driven vessel when towing and the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters shall exhibit during daylight hours where t...
  3. #4 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel with a tow over 200 meters in length will show __________.
  4. #5 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which light(s) is(are) AMONG those shown by a 200-meter vessel at anchor?
  5. #6 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you do NOT understand the course or intention of an approaching vessel you should sound __________.
  6. #7 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining the sidelights and stern light MAY be shown on a __________.
  7. #8 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor, would sound a fog signal of _________...
  8. #9 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is approaching a bend. You hear a prolonged blast from around the bend. You should __________.
  9. #10 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear a rapid ringing of a bell ahead. This bell indicates a __________.
  10. #12 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast may be sounded by a __________.
  11. #13 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The display of lights shown in illustration D048RR below could represent which of the following? illustration
  12. #15 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An authorized light to assist in the identification of submarines operating on the surface is a(n) __________.
  13. #17 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations shows special identity lights __________.
  14. #18 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel shows the same lights as a __________.
  15. #19 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one short, one prolonged, and one short blast may be sounded by a __________.
  16. #22 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT allowed to show the all- round red over green lights on the mast if __________.
  17. #24 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are heading due east (090°) and observe a vessel's red sidelight on your port beam. The vessel may be heading ________...
  18. #29 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 25-meter vessel trawling will show the dayshape(s) consisting of __________.
  19. #31 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the lights shown in illustration D078RR. This would indicate a vessel __________. illustration
  20. #35 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel or object being towed astern shall display a(n) __________.
  21. #37 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by a vessel displaying two cones with the apexes together?
  22. #41 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A light signal of three flashes means __________.
  23. #42 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown in illustration D016RR below would you show on the after end of an inconspicuous partially s... illustration
  24. #44 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel ahead sound two prolonged blasts on the whistle. You should __________.
  25. #45 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a dense fog you hear a whistle signal ahead of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This signal indicate...
  26. #49 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...
  27. #50 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you observe a vessel ahead show three flashes of a white light. This signal indicates that the vessel ahead is __...
  28. #51 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed astern shall show at night __________.
  29. #53 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As defined in the Rules, a towing light is a yellow light having the same characteristics as a(n) __________.
  30. #54 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.
  31. #55 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel that is not equipped with towing lights should show that it has a vessel in tow by __________.
  32. #57 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Day-shapes must be displayed __________.
  33. #61 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The white masthead light required for a power- driven vessel under the Rules is visible over how many degrees of the horiz...
  34. #62 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a dense fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This signal is sounded by...
  35. #63 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.
  36. #65 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel would show 3 day-shapes in a vertical line, the highest and lowest being balls and the middle shape being a d...
  37. #66 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 95-meter vessel aground sounds which fog signal?
  38. #67 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE concerning the danger signal?
  39. #68 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing astern in an operation which severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to change c...
  40. #71 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the following describes a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown in illustration D011RR below? illustration
  41. #72 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command, underway but not making way, would show __________.
  42. #73 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 15-meter sailing vessel would be required to show __________.
  43. #76 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed will show __________.
  44. #77 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. #78 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A lantern combining the two sidelights and stern light may be shown on a __________.
  46. #79 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see the display of lights shown in illustration D071RR below. These lights indicate what type of vessel? illustration
  47. #80 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is displaying ONLY the lights shown in illustration D045RR. What type of vessel could this be? illustration
  48. #82 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The arc of visibility for sidelights is from right ahead to __________.
  49. #83 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway, you see a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown in illustration D006RR below. Which action should you tak... illustration
  50. #84 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations shows special identity lights __________.
  51. #85 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your 18-meter vessel is under sail at night displaying sidelights, stern light, and a red light over a green light at the...
  52. #86 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway your vessel approaches a bend in a river where, due to the bank, you cannot see around the bend. You should...
  53. #88 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog signals, required under the Rules for vessels underway, shall be sounded __________.
  54. #89 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is true concerning a towing light when a towing vessel is towing astern?
  55. #90 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The whistle signal for a vessel operating astern propulsion is __________.
  56. #91 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Fog bell signals for vessels at anchor or aground shall be sounded at intervals of not more than __________.
  57. #93 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...
  58. #96 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel on crossing courses. She is approximately half a mile distant and is presently on your...
  59. #98 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a bend in a channel. You cannot see around the bend because of the height of the bank. You should ____...
  60. #103 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing vessel pushing a barge ahead and rigidly connected in a composite unit shall show the lights of __________.
  61. #104 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A self-propelled dredge not engaged in dredging but proceeding to a dredging location at night would __________.
  62. #106 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...
  63. #107 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which lights would be shown at night by a vessel which is restricted in her ability to deviate from her course?
  64. #109 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The minimum length of a power-driven vessel that must show forward and after masthead lights is __________.
  65. #111 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a green light over a white light in a vertical line above the level of the sidelights is __________.
  66. #113 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is used to show the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?
  67. #121 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 30-meter trawler. Which day signal shown in illustration D016RR below must you show while trawling? illustration
  68. #122 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel servicing a pipeline during the day shall display __________.
  69. #123 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel with a 150-meter stern tow shall display __________.
  70. #127 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" may be shown by a vessel __________.
  71. #128 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel trawling will display a __________.
  72. #129 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown in illustration D080RR below. What type of vessel could this be? illustration
  73. #131 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed astern, where the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, will exhibit __________.
  74. #133 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In addition to sidelights what light should a vessel being towed astern show?
  75. #134 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel at anchor shall display, between sunrise and sunset, on the forward part of the vessel where it can best be seen...
  76. #136 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in trawling will show identification lights of __________.
  77. #137 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...
  78. #138 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you are approaching a bend, and hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast from around the bend, you should answer wi...
  79. #140 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown in illustration D057RR below is doing which of the following? illustration
  80. #143 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown in illustration D070RR below is which of the following? illustration
  81. #146 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing a barge astern would show, at the stern __________.
  82. #151 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night you sight a vessel displaying a single green light. This is a __________.
  83. #156 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed at night must show __________.
  84. #159 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fishing vessel displaying the lights shown in illustration D067RR below is doing which of the following? illustration
  85. #161 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a bend in a river where, due to the bank, you cannot see around the other side. A vessel on the other...
  86. #163 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND As defined in the Rules, the term "vessel" includes __________.
  87. #168 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel's green sidelight bearing due east from you. The vessel might be heading __________.
  88. #172 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An all-round flashing yellow light may be exhibited by a(n) __________.
  89. #173 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND For the purpose of the Rules, except where otherwise required, the term __________.
  90. #174 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown in illustration D024RR below is less than 200 meters in length and severely restricted in her ability to dev... illustration
  91. #176 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel may exhibit lights other than those prescribed by the Rules as long as the additional lights __________.
  92. #177 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is displaying ONLY the lights shown in illustration D061RR. What type of vessel is this? illustration
  93. #179 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the following describes a vessel showing the day-shape in illustration D034RR below? illustration
  94. #180 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What light configuration may a sailing vessel underway exhibit?
  95. #181 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE regarding equipment for bell & gong signals?
  96. #182 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Day-shapes MUST be shown __________.
  97. #184 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing astern shall show __________.
  98. #186 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is fishing is required to show sidelights and a stern light only when __________.
  99. #188 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is displaying ONLY the lights shown in illustration D053RR. What type of vessel is this? illustration
  100. #190 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "flashing light" is a light that __________.

Rules of the Road questions: what to expect

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

This retired set holds 481 Rules of the Road questions the Coast Guard no longer draws on exams. They stay online for reference; the current Rules of the Road module is the one to study.

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.

Other Deck modules

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.