Boater Education Card Exam (NASBLA-approved boating safety course)
State law (PA): practice questions
Our Boater Education Card (U.S.) bank has 23 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1 · Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, from November 1 through April 30, life jackets must be worn on:
- Only sailboats
- Boats under 16 feet and any canoe, kayak or paddleboard
- No boats; it is only recommended
- All boats over 26 feet
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B. Boats under 16 feet and any canoe, kayak or paddleboard — PA Boating Handbook (2026): November 1 to April 30, boaters must wear life jackets on boats less than 16 feet or any paddleboard, kayak or canoe.
Question 2 · Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, if an accident causes injury needing treatment beyond first aid, a written report is due within:
- 24 hours
- 10 days
- 30 days
- 48 hours
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D. 48 hours — PA Boating Handbook (2026): a written boating accident report must be submitted within 48 hours.
Question 3 · Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, a motorboat under 20 feet may not exceed slow, no-wake speed while:
- It is cloudy
- A person is standing in the boat
- The radio is on
- Someone is fishing from the stern seated
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B. A person is standing in the boat — PA Boating Handbook (2026): it is illegal to operate a motorboat less than 20 feet at greater than slow no-wake while a person is standing on or in the boat.
Question 4 · Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, who may NOT operate a PWC or a boat over 25 hp under any conditions?
- Anyone under 18
- Anyone without a fishing license
- Anyone 11 years old or younger
- Anyone under 16
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C. Anyone 11 years old or younger — PA Boating Handbook (2026): persons 11 years of age or younger may not operate PWC or boats with motors over 25 hp.
Question 5 · Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, a PWC may not be operated:
- On rivers
- Within 1,000 feet of a dam only
- From sunset to sunrise
- With one passenger
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C. From sunset to sunrise — PA Boating Handbook (2026): it is illegal to operate a PWC from sunset to sunrise.