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Retired questions · Rules of the Road
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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.

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All Retired questions · Rules of the Road questions

Questions 101–200 of 481 · page 2 of 5

  1. #192 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel 30 meters in length and aground would display a day-shape consisting of __________.
  2. #193 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty at night will show sidelights and a stern light __________.
  3. #196 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel on pilotage duty shall show identity lights __________.
  4. #197 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape should a vessel being towed exhibit if the tow EXCEEDS 200 meters?
  5. #203 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Barges being towed at night __________.
  6. #204 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground would show the same day- shape as a __________.
  7. #205 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape must be shown by a vessel 25 meters in length aground during daylight hours?
  8. #206 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape is to be shown by a vessel aground?
  9. #207 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel aground at night is required to show two red lights in a vertical line as well as __________.
  10. #208 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What signal would a vessel aground show during daylight?
  11. #209 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape would a vessel aground show during daylight?
  12. #212 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown in illustration D013RR below is doing which of the following? illustration
  13. #213 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing should display which of the day signals shown in illustration D001RR below? illustration
  14. #217 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown in illustration D016RR below must you show when at anchor? illustration
  15. #220 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 25-meter vessel at anchor. What lights are you required to show?
  16. #222 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When anchoring a 20-meter vessel at night, you must show __________.
  17. #223 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Working lights shall be used to illuminate the decks of a vessel __________.
  18. #226 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel at anchor will show a __________.
  19. #227 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape would a vessel at anchor show during daylight?
  20. #232 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which is fishing must show sidelights and a stern light only when __________.
  21. #233 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing, and at anchor, shall show __________.
  22. #239 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug boat displaying the day-shape shown in illustration D010RR below is which of the following? illustration
  23. #241 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing another vessel astern (tow less than 200 meters) shall show __________.
  24. #243 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape must be shown by a vessel over 20 meters fishing which has gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally...
  25. #244 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown in illustration D017RR below, and will pass without changing course. Vessel "... illustration
  26. #246 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown in illustration D079RR below could be which of the following? illustration
  27. #249 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway at night you are coming up on a vessel from astern. Which light(s) would you expect to see?
  28. #250 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When towing more than one barge astern at night __________.
  29. #252 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing light __________.
  30. #253 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A towing light, according to the Rules, is a __________.
  31. #254 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 ________...
  32. #255 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a red sidelight bearing NW (315°). That vessel may be heading __________.
  33. #258 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel exhibits the same lights as a __________.
  34. #262 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" as shown in illustration D017RR below. Vessel "B" is an air-cushion vessel operating i... illustration
  35. #267 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An all-round flashing yellow light may be exhibited by a(n) __________.
  36. #268 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 45-meter vessel is pulling a 210-meter tow. She may exhibit __________.
  37. #271 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The maximum length of a power-driven vessel which may show an all-round white light and sidelights instead of a masthead l...
  38. #273 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which lights would you see on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling?
  39. #276 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing, and at anchor, should exhibit __________.
  40. #277 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel displaying the day-shape shown in illustration D035RR is indicating that she is which of the following? illustration
  41. #278 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the lights shown in illustration D060RR below is which of the following? illustration
  42. #281 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A partly submerged vessel or object being towed, which is not readily noticeable, shall show __________.
  43. #288 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a yellow light over a white light at night is a vessel __________.
  44. #290 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see the display of lights shown in illustration D074RR below. These lights indicate which of the following? illustration
  45. #292 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown in illustration D010RR below is which of the following? illustration
  46. #294 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a barge being towed astern must display __________.
  47. #295 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A seagoing tug has a tow greater than 200 meters as shown in illustration D024RR below and is severely restricted in her a... illustration
  48. #297 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Lighting requirements in inland waters are different from those for international waters for __________.
  49. #298 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching another vessel at night. You can see both red and green sidelights and, above the level of the sidelig...
  50. #299 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are overtaking a vessel at night and you see a yellow light showing above the stern light of the overtaken vessel. The...
  51. #300 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
  52. #301 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the day-shapes shown in illustration D016RR below indicates a vessel with a tow exceeding 200 meters in length? illustration
  53. #302 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day-shape must be shown on a partly submerged vessel which is being towed?
  54. #304 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The tow shown in illustration D024RR below is greater than 200 meters in length and severely restricts the tow vessel's ab... illustration
  55. #305 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 20-meter sailing vessel underway must exhibit a __________.
  56. #306 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel towing another vessel astern (tow less than 200 meters) shall show __________.
  57. #307 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object being towed, where the length of tow is 100 meters, shall show _______...
  58. #309 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown in illustration D010RR below is which of the following? illustration
  59. #311 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 50-meter vessel is towing astern and the length of the tow is 100 meters. In addition to sidelights, which lights may sh...
  60. #314 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a broken down vessel being towed would show the same lights as __________.
  61. #315 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing is showing three forward white masthead lights in a vertical line. This means that the length of the _____...
  62. #316 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towed astern shall show __________.
  63. #318 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The vessel showing the day shape in illustration D022RR below is which of the following? illustration
  64. #322 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 30-meter tug is underway and NOT towing. At night, this vessel must show sidelights and __________.
  65. #323 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which day-shape should a vessel being towed exhibit if the tow EXCEEDS 200 meters?
  66. #325 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Underway at night, a vessel displaying the lights shown in illustration D062RR below is which of the following? illustration
  67. #326 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, you see a vessel displaying the light shown in illustration D046RR below. This could be which of the following? illustration
  68. #327 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What light(s) must sailboats twenty meters in length show when underway at night?
  69. #330 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see ONLY the light shown in illustration D080RR below. This could be which of the following vessels? illustration
  70. #331 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel of over 20 meters in length underway must show a __________.
  71. #332 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a sailing vessel. While under sail you decide to use your engine to assist in propulsion. Which of the day sign... illustration
  72. #333 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 22-meter sailing vessel when also being propelled by machinery shall show during daylight hours a __________.
  73. #335 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What day shape shall a vessel 15 meters in length, proceeding under sail as well as being propelled by machinery, exhibit?
  74. #337 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In the daytime, you see a large sailing vessel on the beam. You know that she is also propelled by machinery if she shows...
  75. #338 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which dayshape(s) would be displayed by the vessel engaged in the operation indicated by the lights shown in illustration... illustration
  76. #340 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the following describes a vessel at night displaying the lights shown in illustration D082RR below? illustration
  77. #341 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, and have gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally fro... illustration
  78. #342 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are on a 30-meter fishing vessel. Which of the day shapes shown in illustration D016RR below must you show while engag... illustration
  79. #346 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel displaying the day-shape shown in illustration D034RR below is doing which of the following? illustration
  80. #347 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may exhibit identifying lights when not actually engaged in her occupation?
  81. #348 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing must display a light in the direction of any gear that extends outward more than 150 meters. T...
  82. #349 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel fishing at night, with gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally outwards, will show in the direction of t...
  83. #350 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing during the day would show __________.
  84. #351 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, the lights shown in illustration D076RR would indicate a vessel engaged in which of the following operations? illustration
  85. #352 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the following describes a vessel which is underway at night and displaying the lights shown in illustration D069R... illustration
  86. #354 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What type of vessel or operation is indicated by a vessel showing two cones with the apexes together?
  87. #355 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel which displays the day signal shown in illustration D006RR below may be engaged in which of the following? illustration
  88. #356 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the following describes a vessel displaying the day-shapes shown in illustration D007RR below? illustration
  89. #357 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the following describes a vessel exhibiting the lights shown in illustration D049RR below? illustration
  90. #358 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel, which is unable to maneuver due to some exceptional circumstance, shall exhibit __________.
  91. #359 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two all-round red lights displayed in a vertical line are shown by a vessel __________.
  92. #360 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command shall display __________.
  93. #361 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel not under command making way at night would show __________.
  94. #362 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel "not under command" at night must show her sidelights when __________.
  95. #363 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel will NOT show sidelights when __________.
  96. #364 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel showing a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" is engaged in __________.
  97. #365 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, which lights are required to be shown by a dredge on the side of the dredge which another vessel may pass?
  98. #366 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a dredge will indicate the side on which it is safe to pass by displaying __________.
  99. #367 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By night, you sight the lights of a vessel engaged in underwater operations. If an obstruction exists on the port side of...
  100. #368 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND During the day, a vessel picking up a submarine cable shall carry __________.

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.

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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.