Right of Way Quiz: 10 Real USCG Exam Questions
Who keeps clear, and who holds course? Here are 10 boating right of way questions pulled word for word from the USCG Rules of the Road question bank. They cover overtaking, meeting head-on, crossing, the stand-on vessel's duties, sailing vessels, and the pecking order between vessel types. Answer each one in your head, then tap "Show answer" to check yourself and see the rule behind it.
Every question here applies under both International and Inland rules. Explanations are checked against the 2022 U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) Navigation Rules handbook. One heads-up: the Rules never say "right of way." They say give-way vessel and stand-on vessel, and the exam uses those words too.
The quiz
Question 1. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A vessel is overtaking when she approaches another from more than how many degrees abaft the beam?
- 0.0°
- 11.25°
- 22.5°
- 45.0°
Show answer
C. 22.5°
A vessel is overtaking when she comes up on another from more than 22.5 degrees abaft (behind) the other vessel's beam. At night that means she can see only the stern light and neither sidelight. See Rule 13(b).
Question 2. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND The Rules state that a vessel overtaking another vessel is relieved of her duty to keep clear when __________.
- she is forward of the other vessel's beam
- the overtaking situation becomes a crossing situation
- she is past and clear of the other vessel
- the other vessel is no longer in sight
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C. she is past and clear of the other vessel
The overtaking vessel keeps clear until she is finally past and clear. Even if the bearing changes and it starts to look like a crossing, she doesn't become the stand-on vessel. See Rule 13(d).
Question 3. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Two vessels meeting in a "head-on" situation are directed by the Rules to __________.
- alter course to starboard and pass port to port
- alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard
- decide on which side the passage will occur by matching whistle signals
- slow to bare steerageway
Show answer
A. alter course to starboard and pass port to port
When two power-driven vessels meet on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses with risk of collision, each alters course to starboard so they pass port to port. Neither one is stand-on. See Rule 14(a).
Question 4. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A head-on situation at night is one in which you see dead ahead a vessel showing __________.
- one sidelight
- one sidelight and a masthead light
- one sidelight and two masthead lights
- both sidelights of a vessel and her masthead light(s)
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D. both sidelights of a vessel and her masthead light(s)
At night you have a head-on situation when you see the other vessel ahead with her masthead lights in line or nearly in line, and/or both sidelights. See Rule 14(b). If you're in any doubt, Rule 14(c) says assume it is head-on and act.
Question 5. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND When two power-driven vessels are crossing, which vessel is the stand-on vessel?
- The vessel which is to starboard of the other vessel
- The vessel which is to port of the other vessel
- The larger vessel
- The vessel that sounds the first whistle signal
Show answer
A. The vessel which is to starboard of the other vessel
In a crossing between two power-driven vessels, the one that has the other on her own starboard side keeps out of the way. So the vessel on the other's starboard side is the stand-on vessel. See Rule 15.
Question 6. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall __________.
- if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other
- change course to port to keep out of the way
- reduce her speed
- All of the above
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A. if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other
The give-way vessel in a crossing shall, if the circumstances allow, avoid crossing ahead of the other. Size, speed, and who sounds first have nothing to do with it. See Rule 15.
Question 7. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND In a crossing situation, the stand-on vessel should normally __________.
- take action to cross ahead of the other vessel
- take action to pass astern of the other vessel
- maintain course and speed
- change course and increase speed
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C. maintain course and speed
The stand-on vessel keeps her course and speed, so the give-way vessel can predict what she'll do. See Rule 17(a)(i).
Question 8. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If it becomes necessary for a stand-on vessel to take action to avoid collision, she shall NOT, if possible, __________.
- decrease speed
- increase speed
- turn to port for a vessel on her own port side
- turn to starboard for a vessel on her own port side
Show answer
C. turn to port for a vessel on her own port side
If a power-driven stand-on vessel does have to act in a crossing, she should not, if the circumstances allow, turn to port for a vessel on her own port side. Turning toward the give-way vessel risks meeting her own turn to starboard. See Rule 17(c).
Question 9. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND If two sailing vessels are running free with the wind on the same side, which one must keep clear of the other?
- The one with the wind closest abeam
- The one to windward
- The one to leeward
- The one that sounds the first whistle signal
Show answer
B. The one to windward
When two sailing vessels have the wind on the same side, the vessel to windward keeps out of the way of the vessel to leeward. See Rule 12(a)(ii).
Question 10. BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND A sailing vessel is NOT required to keep out of the way of a __________.
- power-driven vessel
- vessel not under command
- vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
- vessel engaged in fishing
Show answer
A. power-driven vessel
Under Rule 18(b), a sailing vessel underway keeps out of the way of a vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, and a vessel engaged in fishing. A power-driven vessel is not on that list. Watch the exceptions, though: a sailing vessel that is overtaking still keeps clear (Rule 13), and Rules 9 and 10 cover narrow channels and traffic separation schemes. See Rule 18.
How did you do?
If you got 9 or 10, you know who keeps clear. If you missed a few, read the rule pages for overtaking, head-on, crossing, and responsibilities between vessels. Then try the COLREGS practice test for a mixed set. Want another topic? Take the navigation lights quiz or the sound signals quiz.
Want the rest of the right of way questions? Practice all 1,272 USCG questions, with missed-question review, in COLREGS: Rules of the Road for iPhone and iPad. Download on the App Store
Prefer the browser? The free web study tool has all 1,272 questions.
Frequently asked questions
Are these real USCG exam questions?
Yes. All 10 come word for word from the USCG Rules of the Road question bank, the same 1,272 questions used in COLREGS Prep.
How many right of way questions are on the Rules of the Road exam?
In COLREGS Prep, 113 questions are tagged to the steering and sailing rules covered here (Rules 12 to 18): 31 to Rule 13, 30 to Rule 18, 25 to Rule 15, 15 to Rule 14, 7 to Rule 17, and 5 to Rule 12. A rule tag is a rough guide, since many lights and sound signal questions also test who gives way.
Who has the right of way in a crossing situation?
Under Rule 15, when two power-driven vessels are crossing with risk of collision, the vessel that has the other on her own starboard side keeps out of the way. The Rules don't actually use the phrase right of way. They call the vessels give-way and stand-on, and Rule 17 still requires the stand-on vessel to act if a collision can't be avoided by the give-way vessel alone.
Does a sailboat always have the right of way over a powerboat?
No. A power-driven vessel generally keeps out of the way of a sailing vessel (Rule 18(a)), but a sailing vessel that is overtaking must keep clear (Rule 13), and Rules 9 and 10 limit a sailing vessel in narrow channels and traffic separation schemes. A sailing vessel also keeps clear of vessels not under command, restricted in their ability to maneuver, or engaged in fishing.