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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 401–481 of 481 · page 5 of 5

  1. #804 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are aboard the give-way vessel in a crossing situation. What should you NOT do in obeying the Rules?
  2. #805 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A stand-on vessel is __________.
  3. #807 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, a stand-on vessel which is forced to take action in order to avoid collision with a vessel on her...
  4. #810 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a __________.
  5. #811 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are the stand-on vessel in a crossing situation. You may hold your course and speed until __________.
  6. #816 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation on open waters, a sailing vessel shall keep out of the way of all the following vessels EXCEPT a v...
  7. #825 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in heavy fog. You hear the fog signal of a vessel which is somewhere ahead of your vessel. You must _____...
  8. #828 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Except where specifically required by the rules, a sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of a __________.
  9. #831 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel has on her port side a sailing vessel which is on a collision course. The power-driven vessel is to...
  10. #833 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of a vessel __________.
  11. #835 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND You are underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 20° on your starboard bow. Risk of...
  12. #840 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In fog you observe your radar and determine that risk of collision exists with a vessel which is 2 miles off your port bow...
  13. #844 44. (1.2.2.3A-9 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND While underway in fog, you hear the fog signal of another vessel ahead. If a risk of collision exists, you...
  14. #845 BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Your vessel is underway in reduced visibility. You hear the fog signal of another vessel about 30° on your starboard bow....
  15. #849 INLAND ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting in a narrow channel on the Great Lakes as shown in illustration D037RR below. Vessel "A" is downbound... illustration
  16. #854 INLAND ONLY Your vessel must remain in a narrow channel for safe operation. Another vessel is crossing the channel from your starboard. You do not thi...
  17. #860 INLAND ONLY A 150-meter vessel is proceeding down the course of a narrow channel in the Great Lakes System. A 60-meter vessel is starting to cross the...
  18. #865 INLAND ONLY You are in charge of a power-driven vessel crossing on the Western Rivers. You must keep out of the way of a which vessel?
  19. #876 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 light(s) on the tug &... illustration
  20. #883 INLAND ONLY What MAY be used to indicate the presence of a partly submerged object being towed?
  21. #901 INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in sight of one another, passing signals shall be sounded when __________.
  22. #909 INLAND ONLY Two power driven vessels are meeting on a clear day and will pass less than half a mile apart. In this situation whistle signals _________...
  23. #921 INLAND ONLY A power driven vessel overtaking another in a narrow channel, and wishing to pass on the other vessel's port side, would sound a whistle s...
  24. #925 INLAND ONLY When you are overtaking another power driven vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand, you should sound __________.
  25. #926 INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are crossing, a signal of one short blast by either vessel means __________.
  26. #929 INLAND ONLY When power-driven vessels are in a crossing situation, one short blast by either vessel would mean __________.
  27. #930 INLAND ONLY You are meeting another vessel in inland waters, and she sounds one short blast on the whistle. This means that she __________.
  28. #931 INLAND ONLY You are overtaking another power-driven vessel in a narrow channel. The other vessel will have to move to allow you to pass. You wish to o...
  29. #933 INLAND ONLY A power-driven vessel, when leaving a dock or berth, is required to sound __________.
  30. #938 INLAND ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning the fog signal of a sailing vessel 25 meters in length, anchored in a "special anchorage area" approved...
  31. #956 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are operating a vessel in a narrow channel. Your vessel must stay within the channel to be navigated safely. Another vessel is...
  32. #957 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel, and you intend to pass along the vessel's port side. How should you signal you...
  33. #958 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A sailing vessel is overtaking a power-driven vessel in a narrow channel, so as to pass on the power-driven vessel's port side. The...
  34. #961 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You intend to overtake a vessel in a narrow channel, and you intend to pass along the vessel's port side. How should you signal you...
  35. #963 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in a narrow channel, and you are being overtaken by a vessel astern. After the overtaking vessel sounds the proper...
  36. #964 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, a vessel trying to overtake another on the other vessel's port side, would sound a whistle signal of _________...
  37. #965 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, an overtaking vessel which intends to pass on the other vessel's port side would sound __________.
  38. #966 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a narrow channel, an overtaking vessel which intends to PASS on the other vessel's port side would sound __________.
  39. #972 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which statement is TRUE concerning wing in ground (WIG) craft when taking off, landing and in flight?
  40. #974 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are the stand-on vessel in an overtaking situation. The other vessel is showing a flashing red light. What action should you ta...
  41. #976 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are involved in a crossing situation with a vessel off your port bow. The other vessel is showing a high intensity all-round fl...
  42. #984 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are on watch and sight a vessel showing a high intensity all-round flashing red light. The light indicates a __________.
  43. #985 INTERNATIONAL ONLY At night, a power-driven vessel less than 7 meters in length, with a maximum speed which does not exceed 7 knots, MUST show when un...
  44. #988 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will show sidelights, a stern light, and __________.
  45. #991 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display __________.
  46. #994 INTERNATIONAL ONLY As seen in illustration D016RR below, which additional day-shape must you show on the forward end of an inconspicuous partially sub... illustration
  47. #995 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In addition to other required lights, a power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside displays __________.
  48. #996 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A single vessel being towed alongside shall show __________.
  49. #997 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A 20-meter power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside will display __________.
  50. #998 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A towing light is __________.
  51. #1000 INTERNATIONAL ONLY If a towing vessel and her tow are severely restricted in their ability to deviate from their course, the towing vessel shall show...
  52. #1001 INTERNATIONAL ONLY If a vessel displays three all-round red lights in a vertical line at night, during the day she may show __________.
  53. #1002 INTERNATIONAL ONLY What day-shape is prescribed for a vessel constrained by her draft?
  54. #1003 INTERNATIONAL ONLY To indicate that a vessel is constrained by her draft, a vessel may display, in a vertical line, __________.
  55. #1004 INTERNATIONAL ONLY If you sighted three red lights in a vertical line on another vessel at night, it would be a vessel __________.
  56. #1006 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel constrained by her draft may display __________.
  57. #1009 BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND INLAND What equipment for fog signals is required for a vessel 15 meters in length?
  58. #1010 INTERNATIONAL ONLY On open water, a power-driven vessel coming up dead astern of another vessel and altering her course to starboard so as to pass on...
  59. #1011 INTERNATIONAL ONLY In a crossing situation on international waters, a short blast by the give-way vessel indicates that the vessel __________.
  60. #1014 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A signal of one prolonged, one short, one prolonged, and one short blast, in that order is given by a vessel __________.
  61. #1015 INTERNATIONAL ONLY When moving from a berth alongside a quay (wharf), a vessel must sound __________.
  62. #1016 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel sounds one short blast. This signal indicates the vessel __________.
  63. #1017 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast on the whistle is a signal which would be sounded by a vessel __________.
  64. #1018 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A whistle signal of one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, is sounded by a vessel __________.
  65. #1031 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are in sight of another vessel in a crossing situation, and the other vessel sounds one short blast. You are going to hold cour...
  66. #1033 INTERNATIONAL ONLY When two vessels are in sight of one another, all of the following signals may be given EXCEPT __________.
  67. #1035 INTERNATIONAL ONLY When two vessels are in sight of one another and NOT in or near an area of restricted visibility, any of the following signals may...
  68. #1036 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Vessel "A" is overtaking vessel "B" on open waters and will pass without changing course. Vessel "A" __________.
  69. #1041 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A light used to signal passing intentions must be an __________.
  70. #1042 INTERNATIONAL ONLY The light which may be used with a vessel's whistle is to be __________.
  71. #1043 INTERNATIONAL ONLY The light which may be used with a vessel's whistle must be __________.
  72. #1044 INTERNATIONAL ONLY While underway and in sight of another vessel you put your engines on astern propulsion. Which statement concerning whistle signals...
  73. #1045 INTERNATIONAL ONLY When vessels are in sight of one another, two short blasts from one of the vessels means __________.
  74. #1046 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel sounds two short blasts. This signal indicates the vessel __________.
  75. #1047 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Two power-driven vessels are meeting. A two blast whistle signal by either vessel means __________.
  76. #1048 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are in sight of a power-driven vessel that sounds two short blasts of the whistle. This signal means that the vessel __________...
  77. #1049 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Your vessel is backing out of a slip in a harbor. Visibility is restricted. You should sound __________.
  78. #1050 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway in fog and hear a fog signal consisting of one prolonged and two short blasts. It could be any of the following EX...
  79. #1051 INTERNATIONAL ONLY You are underway on the high seas in restricted visibility. You hear a fog signal of one prolonged and two short blasts. It could b...
  80. #1052 INTERNATIONAL ONLY A vessel not under command sounds the same fog signal as a vessel __________.
  81. #1054 INTERNATIONAL ONLY Which vessel would NOT sound a fog signal of one prolonged and two short blasts?

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.