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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 201–300 of 481 · page 3 of 5

  1. #371 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shall __________.
  2. #372 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND By day, when it is impracticable for a small vessel engaged in diving operations to display the shapes for a vessel engage...
  3. #376 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the following describes a vessel exhibiting the day-shapes shown in illustration D018RR below? illustration
  4. #377 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which of the following describes a vessel exhibiting the lights shown in illustration D056RR below? illustration
  5. #378 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are approaching a vessel dredging during the day and see two balls in a vertical line on the port side of the dredge....
  6. #379 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND At night, a vessel shall indicate that she is restricted in her ability to maneuver by showing in a vertical line two ____...
  7. #381 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel may show three lights in a vertical line, the top and bottom being red and the middle being white?
  8. #383 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You see a vessel displaying three lights in a vertical line. The highest and lowest lights are red and the middle light is...
  9. #384 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel transferring provisions or cargo at sea shall display during the day __________.
  10. #386 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing astern in an operation which severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate...
  11. #387 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing where the tow prevents her from changing course shall carry __________.
  12. #390 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The lights shown in illustration D068RR mean that another vessel should pass within what distance? illustration
  13. #392 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel conducting mineclearing operations will show __________.
  14. #393 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The duration of a prolonged blast of the whistle is __________.
  15. #394 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The duration of each blast of the whistle signals used in meeting and crossing situations is __________.
  16. #395 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A "short blast" on the whistle has a duration of __________.
  17. #396 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The term "prolonged blast" means a blast of __________.
  18. #397 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Each prolonged blast on whistle signals used by a power-driven vessel in fog, whether making way or underway but not makin...
  19. #400 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 20 meters in length?
  20. #408 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two power-driven vessels are crossing as shown in illustration D042RR below. Vessel "A" sounds three short blasts on the w... illustration
  21. #409 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...
  22. #410 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway and approaching a bend in the channel where vessels approaching from the opposite direction cannot be see...
  23. #413 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...
  24. #415 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Five or more short blasts on a vessel's whistle indicates that she is __________.
  25. #418 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...
  26. #420 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...
  27. #422 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the signal consisting of five or more short blasts on the ship's whistle __________.
  28. #423 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel nearing a bend where other vessels may be obscured shall sound __________.
  29. #424 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The use of the danger signal __________.
  30. #425 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other vessels may be hidden by an obstruction shall _____...
  31. #427 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A light signal consisting of three flashes means __________.
  32. #428 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel making way through the water sounds a fog signal of __________.
  33. #429 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a fog you hear a signal of three strokes of a bell, a rapid ringing of the bell, and three more strokes...
  34. #430 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility a towed vessel must sound a fog signal when it is __________.
  35. #432 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear a signal of three strokes of a bell, a rapid ringing of the bell, and three more str...
  36. #436 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and you hear three distinct bell strokes followed by five seconds of rapid bell ringing followed b...
  37. #438 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a power-driven vessel making way in dense fog. You observe what appears to be another vessel on radar...
  38. #441 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A bell is used to sound a fog signal for a __________.
  39. #442 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is aground in fog. In addition to the regular anchor signals, you will be sounding __________.
  40. #444 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are making headway in fog and hear a fog signal of two prolonged blasts on your starboard quarter. You should ________...
  41. #445 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is 25 meters long and anchored in restricted visibility. You are required to sound the proper fog signal at in...
  42. #446 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for...
  43. #447 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a signal of __________.
  44. #448 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for about five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for...
  45. #449 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are operating in restricted visibility and hear a signal of a rapidly ringing bell followed by the rapid sounding of a...
  46. #450 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog when you hear the rapid ringing of a bell for five seconds followed by the sounding of a gong for...
  47. #452 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In reduced visibility, you hear two prolonged blasts of a whistle. This signal is sounded by a __________.
  48. #454 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When underway in restricted visibility, you might hear, at intervals of two minutes, any of the following fog signals EXCE...
  49. #455 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel ahead sound two prolonged blasts on the whistle. You should __________.
  50. #457 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel ahead sound two prolonged blasts on the whistle. You should __________.
  51. #459 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A 200-meter vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, at anchor, will sound a fog signal of __________.
  52. #460 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway in fog making NO way must sound what signal?
  53. #461 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are at anchor in fog on a 120-meter power- driven vessel. You hear the fog signal of a vessel approaching off your por...
  54. #462 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for...
  55. #464 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a vessel ahead sound two short blasts on the whistle. You should __________.
  56. #465 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All fog signals shall be sounded every two minutes with the exception of a vessel __________.
  57. #467 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is underway in fog and you hear one prolonged and three short blasts, this is a __________.
  58. #470 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If your vessel is underway in fog and you hear one prolonged and three short blasts, this indicates a __________.
  59. #473 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in a fog when you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal...
  60. #475 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear another vessel sounding two prolonged blasts every two minutes. This signal indicates a ves...
  61. #476 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog, you hear apparently forward of your beam a fog signal of 2 prolonged blasts in succession every two minutes. This...
  62. #479 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is to sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?
  63. #480 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing while at anchor shall sound a fog signal of __________.
  64. #481 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in a fog, you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal could...
  65. #483 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a prolonged blast from another vessel. This signal indicates a __________.
  66. #485 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a short blast, a prolonged blast, and a short blast of a whistle. This signal indicates a...
  67. #487 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing underway sounds the same fog signal as a __________.
  68. #488 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear a signal of one prolonged blast followed by three short blasts. This is the fog signal for...
  69. #489 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel underway and making way in fog shall sound every two minutes __________.
  70. #491 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel does NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?
  71. #493 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog, a vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a fog signal of __________.
  72. #495 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam is navigating in fog. She should sound __________.
  73. #496 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are in charge of a 120-meter power-driven vessel at anchor in fog, sounding the required anchor signals. You hear the...
  74. #497 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel being towed, if manned, shall sound a fog signal of __________.
  75. #498 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel with the wind abaft the beam is navigating in restricted visibility. She should sound __________.
  76. #499 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel anchored in fog may warn an approaching vessel by sounding __________.
  77. #501 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway, in fog, when you hear a whistle signal of one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This signal...
  78. #502 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel does NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged followed by two short blasts?
  79. #503 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel towing in fog shall sound a fog signal of __________.
  80. #506 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway and pushing a barge ahead, your vessel enters a heavy rain storm. You should sound __________.
  81. #508 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog you hear a whistle signal consisting of one prolonged blast followed immediately by two short blasts...
  82. #509 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in fog and you hear one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts. This is a vessel __________.
  83. #510 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In restricted visibility, a vessel fishing with nets shall sound at intervals of two minutes __________.
  84. #513 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel engaged in fishing while at anchor shall sound a fog signal of __________.
  85. #517 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three unmanned barges astern in fog. The third vessel of the tow should sound __________.
  86. #518 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The third barge of the tow should sound __________.
  87. #519 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The first vessel of the tow should sound __________.
  88. #520 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three barges astern in restricted visibility. The second vessel of the tow should sound __________.
  89. #521 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A tug is towing three manned barges in line in fog. The second vessel of the tow should sound __________.
  90. #523 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal if she is __________.
  91. #525 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a __________.
  92. #526 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal consisting of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would indicate the presence of a __________.
  93. #527 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A fog signal of one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts would mean the presence of a __________.
  94. #529 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal in fog if she is __________.
  95. #530 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A pilot vessel may continue to sound an identity signal if she is __________.
  96. #531 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND One of the signals, other than a distress signal, that can be used by a vessel to attract attention is a(n) __________.
  97. #532 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If you hear the firing of a gun at one minute intervals from another vessel, this indicates that __________.
  98. #536 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND What is NOT a distress signal?
  99. #537 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND All of the following are distress signals under the Rules EXCEPT __________.
  100. #538 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which is NOT a distress signal?

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.