NSW boat licence practice test

10 free sample questions

1. Navigation marks and buoys

   You are travelling downstream towards the sea. On which side should you keep a green lateral mark?

   1. On your port (left) side
   2. On your starboard (right) side
   3. Either side, as lateral marks apply upstream
   4. Keep it dead ahead until you reach it
   Show answer

   A. On your port (left) side

   Lateral marks are set up for vessels entering from the sea. Leaving, the picture is reversed: green marks pass on your port side and red marks on your starboard side.

   Source: NSW Boating Handbook: Navigation marks — lateral marks

2. Lights and sound signals

   When must a vessel show navigation lights?

   1. Sunset to sunrise, and in restricted visibility
   2. From 10 pm to dawn, and when other boats are nearby
   3. From one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise
   4. When more than 2 nautical miles from shore at night
   Show answer

   A. Sunset to sunrise, and in restricted visibility

   Lights must be shown between sunset and sunrise and whenever visibility is restricted, so other vessels can see you and work out which way you are heading.

   Source: NSW Boating Handbook: Navigation lights

3. Give-way and collision rules

   What is the most important rule for avoiding collisions?

   1. Keep a proper lookout and travel at a safe speed
   2. Keep to the left of other boats, as on the road
   3. Smaller boats give way to larger ones in all cases
   4. Sound your horn whenever another boat is nearby
   Show answer

   A. Keep a proper lookout and travel at a safe speed

   Most collisions happen because somebody wasn't looking. The skipper must keep a lookout all around, all the time, and go slow enough to stop or turn in the distance they can see. The lookout must be kept at all times, by sight and hearing.

   Source: NSW Boating Handbook: Collision rules — lookout and safe speed

4. Speed, distance and towing

   When travelling at 6 knots or more, how far must you keep from other vessels, the shore and structures?

   1. At least 30 metres, or a safe distance if not possible
   2. At least 10 metres, or 5 metres in narrow waterways
   3. At least 100 metres from the shore and 50 metres from boats
   4. No set minimum, as long as you keep a good lookout
   Show answer

   A. At least 30 metres, or a safe distance if not possible

   At 6 knots (about 11 km/h) or faster, keep 30 metres from other boats, land, structures and moored vessels. Where the waterway is too narrow, slow down and keep a safe distance.

   Source: NSW Boating Handbook: Distance off rules

5. Lifejackets

   On a vessel under 4.8 metres in enclosed waters, when must everyone wear a lifejacket?

   1. At night and whenever someone is boating alone
   2. When it is raining or the wind is over 20 knots
   3. Not at all, provided lifejackets are on board
   4. Whenever the boat is more than 30 metres from shore
   Show answer

   A. At night and whenever someone is boating alone

   In small boats the lifejacket must be on when the risk is higher: at night or alone. In open waters and crossing bars it must be worn at all times, and in alpine waters at all times. Night means between sunset and sunrise.

   Source: nsw.gov.au: When to wear a lifejacket

6. Safety equipment

   Which items must every powerboat carry on enclosed waters?

   1. Lifejackets, an anchor, a bailer, a sound signal, a waterproof torch and (if required) a fire extinguisher
   2. Lifejackets, two red hand flares, a V sheet, a compass, a chart and 2 litres of water per person
   3. An EPIRB, a marine radio, a chart of the area, a first aid kit and an anchor with at least 20 m of line
   4. Lifejackets for children under 12 only, a mobile phone, a bailer, a spare fuel can and a spare propeller
   Show answer

   A. Lifejackets, an anchor, a bailer, a sound signal, a waterproof torch and (if required) a fire extinguisher

   These are the enclosed-waters basics. Boats under 6 m also need paddles or oars unless they have a second means of propulsion, and boats with covered bilges need a bilge pump. The anchor needs chain or line, the torch must float, and a fire extinguisher is required if there is an electric start, battery, gas or fuel stove.

   Source: nsw.gov.au: Essential safety equipment

7. Safe boating, bars and emergencies

   Your boat capsizes in open water. What should you do?

   1. Stay with the boat, keep together and climb onto the hull if you can
   2. Swim for the nearest shore while you still have your strength
   3. Split up so the strongest swimmer can raise the alarm ashore
   4. Take off heavy lifejackets so you can swim to shore faster
   Show answer

   A. Stay with the boat, keep together and climb onto the hull if you can

   Climb onto the hull if you can, keep everyone together, activate your EPIRB and use flares or the V sheet. Cold water saps strength far faster than people expect. The hull floats and is easier for rescuers to see, and swimming to shore is usually further than it looks.

   Source: NSW Boating Handbook: Emergencies — capsize

8. Licences, registration and alcohol

   When do you need a boat licence in NSW?

   1. To drive a powered vessel at 10 knots or more
   2. To drive any powered vessel at 6 knots or more
   3. To drive any boat over 6 metres, at any speed
   4. To drive a boat on the ocean, but not on rivers
   Show answer

   A. To drive a powered vessel at 10 knots or more

   A general boat driving licence is required to drive at 10 knots (about 18.5 km/h) or more. A separate PWC licence is needed to drive a personal watercraft at any speed.

   Source: NSW Boating Handbook: Licences

9. Weather, tides and trip planning

   Where should you get a marine weather forecast before going boating?

   1. Bureau of Meteorology coastal waters forecasts and marine warnings
   2. A general TV weather forecast for the nearest capital city
   3. The tide tables published in the local fishing newspaper
   4. The sky and water conditions you see when you reach the ramp
   Show answer

   A. Bureau of Meteorology coastal waters forecasts and marine warnings

   Coastal waters forecasts give wind, sea and swell by zone and time of day. Check again before you leave and keep an eye on the sky and radio while out. Combine the forecast with local observations.

   Source: NSW Boating Handbook: Weather

10. Waterways and the environment

    What should you do with rubbish, fishing line and food scraps on board?

    1. Keep them on board and dispose of them ashore
    2. Throw food scraps overboard, as they are biodegradable
    3. Sink them in a weighted bag well away from the shore
    4. Burn them on the beach in a fire pit before you leave
    Show answer

    A. Keep them on board and dispose of them ashore

    Plastic, line and bait bags kill seabirds, turtles and marine mammals. Take everything home. Nothing may be thrown into the water.

    Source: NSW Boating Handbook: Protecting the environment

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Official links

• NSW Boating Handbook (PDF)
• Official boating knowledge practice quiz
• When to wear a lifejacket
• Essential safety equipment
• About the knowledge tests
• Book a boat or PWC knowledge test
• Apply for a general boat driving licence
• Personal Watercraft Handbook (PDF)
• Alcohol limits when driving a boat