Boater safety certification and its examination 24
A person operates a motorized vessel in Alabama while the certification is suspended. For how much longer may the secretary suspend or revoke it?Ala. Code 33-5-67
After an Alabama boater safety certification expires, for how long does it stay valid so the holder can renew it?Ala. Code 33-5-52(c)
An Alabama boater charged with not displaying the certification later produces one that was valid at the time of arrest. What happens?Ala. Code 33-5-59
An Alabama boater safety certification is not tied to a driver license or identification card. When does it expire?Ala. Code 33-5-52(b)
An Alabama certification holder does not apply to renew within three years after it expired. What follows?Ala. Code 33-5-52(c)
An Alabama resident of 16 or older buys a vessel and has never held a certification. For how long after the sale may the buyer operate it?Ala. Code 33-5-52(a)
Does Alabama's boater examination section require a test of driving skills?Ala. Code 33-5-53(c)
From what age is a nonresident who carries a valid home-state boater certification exempt from Alabama's requirement?Ala. Code 33-5-52(d)
Show all 86 questions (78 more)
Boater safety certification and its examination, continued
How old must the operator of a rented vessel be to use Alabama's rental exemption from certification?Ala. Code 33-5-52(g)
Is an examination needed to renew an Alabama boater safety certification on time?Ala. Code 33-5-52(c)
To which of these does Alabama's boater safety certification requirement not apply?Ala. Code 33-5-52(a)
To which other examination does Alabama's statute liken the length and content of the boater examination?Ala. Code 33-5-53(c)
To whom does an Alabama applicant present the certificate of having passed the examination?Ala. Code 33-5-53(d)
Under Alabama's rental exemption, what must be on board the rented vessel while it is operated?Ala. Code 33-5-52(g)
What does Alabama's section 33-5-66 make of knowingly letting an uncertified person who needs a certification operate a motorized vessel?Ala. Code 33-5-66(b)
What kind of examination does Alabama give an applicant for a boater safety certification who has no exemption?Ala. Code 33-5-53(a)
What must a minor furnish to prove age when applying for Alabama's boater examination?Ala. Code 33-5-53(a)
What must every individual procure before operating a motorized vessel on Alabama waters?Ala. Code 33-5-52(a)
What must that new Alabama buyer carry at all times of operation during the 30 days?Ala. Code 33-5-52(a)
What must the rental contract say for Alabama's rental exemption to apply?Ala. Code 33-5-52(g)
Where must an Alabama boater's certification be while the holder operates a motorized vessel?Ala. Code 33-5-59
Which certificate exempts an Alabama applicant from the boater examination?Ala. Code 33-5-53(a)
Which operators does section 33-5-53 exempt from the examination because of their age on April 28, 1994?Ala. Code 33-5-53(a)
Who is exempt from Alabama's certification while test driving a vessel that is for sale?Ala. Code 33-5-52(a)
Operator ages 4
A certified 12- or 13-year-old operates a vessel in Alabama. How old must the supervising person be?Ala. Code 33-5-57(b)
Below what age may a boater safety certification not be issued in Alabama?Ala. Code 33-5-57(a)
Below what age may no person operate a personal watercraft in Alabama, apart from the supervised case of section 33-5-57?Ala. Code 33-5-51(e)
Where must the adult who supervises a 12- or 13-year-old boat operator be in Alabama?Ala. Code 33-5-57(b)
Flotation devices 4
How must a required flotation device be worn under Alabama's section 33-5-69?Ala. Code 33-5-69(b)
Under what age must a child on board a vessel in Alabama wear a personal flotation device at all times?Ala. Code 33-5-69(a)
Where may a child under eight be on an Alabama vessel without wearing the device?Ala. Code 33-5-69(a)
Whose duty does Alabama's section 33-5-69 make it to see that the young child wears the device?Ala. Code 33-5-69(a)
Personal watercraft 8
A personal watercraft cuts between a vessel and the person that vessel is towing. How does Alabama's statute treat that?Ala. Code 33-5-51(d)
A rider steers a personal watercraft at a swimmer and turns sharply at close range to spray the swimmer. How does Alabama's statute treat that?Ala. Code 33-5-51(d)
Alabama makes the rider of one kind of personal watercraft clip on a kill-switch cord. Which kind?Ala. Code 33-5-51(c)
What may the owner of a personal watercraft in Alabama not knowingly permit?Ala. Code 33-5-51(f)
What must a personal watercraft have before it tows a person in Alabama?Ala. Code 33-5-51(g)
What powers a 'personal watercraft' in Alabama's definition?Ala. Code 33-5-51(a)
Which maneuver on a personal watercraft does Alabama's statute name as reckless?Ala. Code 33-5-51(d)
Who must wear an approved life jacket when a personal watercraft is used on Alabama waters?Ala. Code 33-5-51(b)
Reckless and careless operation, speed zones 9
At what speed does Alabama forbid positioning persons or equipment so that they obstruct the operator's view?Ala. Code 33-5-71(a)
For which sole purpose may a law enforcement officer not stop or board a vessel in Alabama?Ala. Code 33-5-6.1
How does Alabama describe reckless operation of a vessel?Ala. Code 33-5-70(a)
What does Alabama's section 33-5-70 say about wake and shoreline wash from reasonable and prudent operation?Ala. Code 33-5-70(b)
What does Alabama's section 33-5-77 forbid?Ala. Code 33-5-77
What makes operation of a vessel 'careless' under Alabama's section 33-5-70?Ala. Code 33-5-70(b)
When may a vessel be moored to a lawfully placed aid-to-navigation marker or buoy in Alabama?Ala. Code 33-5-74(a)
Which vessels are exempt from Alabama's obstruction of view section?Ala. Code 33-5-71(a)
Who may establish speed zones, including no-wake zones, on Alabama waters under section 33-5-73?Ala. Code 33-5-73
Water skis and towing 7
During what hours does Alabama forbid water skiing and towing a skier?Ala. Code 33-5-26(b)
How large must the viewing surface of that wide angle mirror be in Alabama?Ala. Code 33-5-26(a)
How old must the observer be in an Alabama vessel that tows a person on water skis?Ala. Code 33-5-26(a)
To which vessels does Alabama's observer-or-mirror subsection for towing not apply?Ala. Code 33-5-26(e)
What field of vision must the wide angle mirror give in Alabama?Ala. Code 33-5-26(a)
What may take the place of the observer in an Alabama vessel towing a skier?Ala. Code 33-5-26(a)
Who is outside Alabama's observer and night-hour rules for water skiing?Ala. Code 33-5-26(c)
Operating under the influence 7
A person over 21 is convicted under Alabama's section 32-5A-191.3 and a child under 14 was on the vessel. What is the sentence?Ala. Code 32-5A-191.3(i)
Besides operating a vessel, what does Alabama's section 32-5A-191.3 forbid an impaired person to do?Ala. Code 32-5A-191.3(a)
Besides vessels, what does Alabama's operating under the influence section reach?Ala. Code 32-5A-191.3(a)
How does Alabama punish a vessel operator's refusal to submit to the field breathalyzer test?Ala. Code 32-5A-191.3(b)
Is being legally entitled to use alcohol or a controlled substance a defense under Alabama's section 32-5A-191.3?Ala. Code 32-5A-191.3(c)
Under what condition does Alabama forbid operating a vessel because of alcohol or drugs?Ala. Code 32-5A-191.3(a)
With what may an Alabama officer who has probable cause test a vessel operator at the scene?Ala. Code 32-5A-191.3(b)
Accidents and reports 6
Above what amount of property damage must an Alabama boating accident be reported?Ala. Code 33-5-25(b)
After a boating accident in Alabama, what must the operator give in writing to anyone hurt and to owners of damaged property?Ala. Code 33-5-25(a)
Can the report an operator files after an Alabama boating accident be used in court as evidence?Ala. Code 33-5-25(c)
How far does an Alabama operator's duty to help others after a boating accident go?Ala. Code 33-5-25(a)
How soon must the operator file the description of a reportable Alabama boating accident?Ala. Code 33-5-25(b)
Which agency receives an Alabama operator's report of a boating accident that injured someone?Ala. Code 33-5-25(b)
Cut-off switches, mufflers and flags 9
A livery operator in Alabama is notified in writing that a rental boat is unsafe. What follows?Ala. Code 33-5-21(b)
Alabama's engine cut-off switch section covers recreational vessels under what overall length?Ala. Code 33-5-72(a)
Alabama's section 33-5-23 covers cutouts, devices that let engine exhaust bypass the muffler. What is the rule?Ala. Code 33-5-23(a)
How much static thrust must a vessel be capable of to be a 'covered recreational vessel' in Alabama?Ala. Code 33-5-72(a)
What does Alabama's section 33-5-23 say about a siren on a vessel?Ala. Code 33-5-23(b)
What flag must an airboat display in Alabama?Ala. Code 33-5-22(c)
What must be displayed on the surface of Alabama water where divers or snorkelers are operating?Ala. Code 33-5-22(d)
When is a boat operator excused from Alabama's kill-switch cord rule?Ala. Code 33-5-72(c)
When must the operator of a covered recreational vessel use the engine cut-off switch link in Alabama?Ala. Code 33-5-72(c)
Registration and numbers 8
A boat with a valid number from another state visits Alabama. For how long may it be operated there without Alabama registration?Ala. Code 33-5-15(a)
The address on an Alabama certificate of registration is no longer right. How soon must the holder notify the agency?Ala. Code 33-5-16(b)
An Alabama-numbered vessel is transferred, destroyed or abandoned. How soon must the owner give notice?Ala. Code 33-5-16(a)
Where on the boat does Alabama want the registration number shown?Ala. Code 33-5-9
Which number may be displayed on either side of the bow of an Alabama vessel?Ala. Code 33-5-18
Which private pond is still part of the 'waters of this state' in Alabama's definition?Ala. Code 33-5-3
Which small boats does Alabama's definition of 'vessel' leave out?Ala. Code 33-5-3
Which vessel is exempt from numbering under Alabama's section 33-5-19?Ala. Code 33-5-19
How this list was compiled: Written only from the Code of Alabama 1975, Title 33, Chapter 5 (sections 33-5-3, 33-5-6.1, 33-5-9, 33-5-15, 33-5-16, 33-5-18, 33-5-19, 33-5-21 to 33-5-23, 33-5-25, 33-5-26, 33-5-51 to 33-5-53, 33-5-57, 33-5-59, 33-5-66, 33-5-67, 33-5-69 to 33-5-74 and 33-5-77) and section 32-5A-191.3, read on 2026-10-03 on ALISON, the Alabama Legislature's own site, https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama. Each question names its section and links to the Legislature's Code of Alabama page, where the section can be looked up. The examination facts are the statute's own: section 33-5-53 gives each applicant for a boater safety certification a written or oral examination, or a certificate of exemption from it, and says the examination is of similar length and content as the motor vehicle driver license examination, with no test of driving skills. No section read gives a number of questions or a pass mark, so none is stored here. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's page on boating education and operator certification, https://www.alea.gov/dps/marine-patrol/boating-education-and-operator-certificationlicense, was opened on 2026-10-03; it says an applicant completes a written or oral exam at a driver license examining office or shows proof of exemption, and that no one under 12 may operate a motorized vessel. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the statute text; nothing is copied from a boater handbook, a boating course, a course provider's study guide or another practice test.
How it works
Alabama boating license practice test questions, which also serve as an Alabama vessel license practice test, drawn only from the Code of Alabama. Unofficial. Collision-avoidance rules are outside this bank. Read October 2026.
Read the full guide
Certification at 12, alone at 14, flotation devices under eight
Section 33-5-52 asks every operator of a motorized vessel for a boater safety certification, which the agency's page also calls a vessel operator's license. It is issued from age 12. A 12- or 13-year-old operates only with a certified person of 21 aboard (33-5-57). Children under eight wear a flotation device (33-5-69).
Alabama boating license test study guide: what the statute says about the exam
Section 33-5-53 gives an applicant a written or oral examination of similar length and content to the driver license examination, with no test of driving skills. A certificate from a Marine Patrol approved boating course exempts the applicant. No passing score appears in the section, and none is shown here.
A boating accident with a death, an injury or property damage over $2,000 is reported within 24 hours.
Questions and answers
Is this the Alabama boating license online test?
No. This is unofficial practice on state law, and finishing it counts toward nothing. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency gives the examination at its driver license examining offices, and its boating education page lists the approved courses.
What is on the State of Alabama boating license test?
Section 33-5-53 says only that the written or oral examination is of similar length and content to the driver license examination. This bank covers the law side: certification, ages, flotation devices, personal watercraft, towing and accident reports.
How many questions are on the Alabama boat license test, and what is the pass mark?
Title 33 fixes no length and no pass mark for it. What Exam mode deals on this page, 25 questions with a plain score at the end, was decided by this site and not by Alabama.
How old do you have to be to get a boating license in Alabama?
Twelve. A certified 12- or 13-year-old may operate only with a certified person of 21 or older on the vessel, placed to take immediate control (section 33-5-57). The agency's page says a certified operator of 14 may operate without supervision.
Is this practice test from the State of Alabama?
No. Nothing here comes from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the site is not a government website. Each answer gives its Code of Alabama citation, and the Legislature's site shows the full text.