A buyer completes the pre-purchase instruction course at a New Jersey boat dealership. For how long may the buyer operate the new power vessel before finishing a boat safety course?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(b)
A New Jersey boat safety course is taken via the Internet. How is its final examination given?N.J.S.A. 12:7-60
A New Jersey operator fails to exhibit the certificate when an officer asks. What does the statute make of that?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(d)
A person is convicted of reckless operation of a vessel in New Jersey. What must the person complete before the privilege to operate is restored?N.J.S.A. 12:7-47(b)
An out-of-State resident of 16 or older with written proof of an approved course from home may operate in New Jersey without its course when in the State for how long?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(b)
Does New Jersey's 30-day allowance for a new boat buyer apply to a purchase from another private party?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(b)
From what age may a person rent and operate a power vessel that is not a personal watercraft in New Jersey after a State-approved pre-rental instruction course, with no boat safety course?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(b)
Show all 105 questions (98 more)
Boat safety certificate and course, continued
From what age must a person have completed an approved boat safety course to operate a power vessel in New Jersey?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(b)
How does an approved New Jersey boat safety course conclude?N.J.S.A. 12:7-60
How many hours of instruction must an approved New Jersey boat safety course give at least?N.J.S.A. 12:7-60
How many times may a person take New Jersey's written test for experienced boaters?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61.2
N.J.S.A. 12:7-60 splits its eight-hour minimum. What share must be taught face to face in a classroom?N.J.S.A. 12:7-60
N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(b)(5) waives the course for holders of a federal credential. Which?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(b)
Under New Jersey's phase-in schedule, by what date did all remaining persons have to complete the mandatory boat safety course?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61.1
What may an 'experienced boater' take in New Jersey in place of the boat safety course?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61.2
What may the owner of a power vessel in New Jersey not allow under N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(f)?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(f)
What must a person who is required to have completed the course carry while operating a power vessel in New Jersey?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(d)
Where may a person of 16 or older operate a rented personal watercraft in New Jersey without the boat safety course, after the renter's instruction course?N.J.S.A. 12:7-86
Who keeps New Jersey's list of approved boat safety courses?N.J.S.A. 12:7-60
Ages and the non-tidal license 10
How old must a person under 16 be to use New Jersey's exceptions for electric and low-power vessels?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(a)
N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(a)(1)(b) opens a second class of craft to young certificate holders. Which class?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(a)
N.J.S.A. 12:7-72(b)(2) sets a floor for the Motor Vehicle Commission's boat endorsement. What age?N.J.S.A. 12:7-72
On which waters does New Jersey require a power vessel operator's license?N.J.S.A. 12:7-72
What is New Jersey's general rule for a person under 16 and power vessels?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(a)
What must a person applying for New Jersey's power vessel operator's license submit, if required to hold the certificate?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(g)
Which agency licenses a person to operate a power vessel on New Jersey's nontidal waters?N.J.S.A. 12:7-72
Which longer vessel needs no license on New Jersey's nontidal waters?N.J.S.A. 12:7-72
Which motor is too small to need a New Jersey non-tidal license?N.J.S.A. 12:7-72
Which power vessel may a 14-year-old with a boat safety certificate operate in New Jersey?N.J.S.A. 12:7-61(a)
Personal flotation devices 5
How does N.J.S.A. 12:7-77 want the required devices kept during a trip?N.J.S.A. 12:7-77
How many personal flotation devices must a vessel have in New Jersey?N.J.S.A. 12:7-77
N.J.S.A. 12:7-47.1 keeps a fitted device on youngsters for the whole trip. Through what age?N.J.S.A. 12:7-47.1
When is the operator not guilty under New Jersey's child flotation device law?N.J.S.A. 12:7-47.1
Which of these is not a 'vessel' for New Jersey's flotation device section, N.J.S.A. 12:7-77?N.J.S.A. 12:7-77
Personal watercraft 11
A personal watercraft may tow a water skier in New Jersey only if it is designed for how many persons?N.J.S.A. 12:7-68
Between what hours may a personal watercraft not be operated in New Jersey?N.J.S.A. 12:7-63
Inside which canal does New Jersey's statute forbid operating a personal watercraft?N.J.S.A. 12:7-63
N.J.S.A. 12:7-62 defines a personal watercraft. What does it say powers one?N.J.S.A. 12:7-62
What must the operator of a personal watercraft with a lanyard cut-off device do in New Jersey while underway?N.J.S.A. 12:7-64
What speed must a personal watercraft operator keep to in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 12:7-64?N.J.S.A. 12:7-64
Where may no one ride on a personal watercraft under New Jersey's riders rule?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.13(b)
Which way must the person tending the ski rider be able to face on a New Jersey personal watercraft that tows a skier?N.J.S.A. 12:7-68
Who must wear a Type I, II, III or V Hybrid device on a personal watercraft under N.J.S.A. 12:7-65?N.J.S.A. 12:7-65
Within what distance of another vessel may a personal watercraft not be made to leave the water in New Jersey?N.J.S.A. 12:7-63
Within what distance of the shoreline or a person in the water must a personal watercraft keep to minimum headway speed in New Jersey?N.J.S.A. 12:7-63
Slow speed, no wake and safe operation 12
At what distance from a marina, pier, dock or wharf must vessels slow to slow speed/no wake when passing in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.7(b)
For New Jersey's capacity-label limit, how are waterskiers being towed counted?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.13(a)
How does New Jersey's rule define 'slow speed/no wake'?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.7(c)
In a temporary slow speed/no wake area in New Jersey, within what radius of the sign or buoy must vessels slow down?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.7(d)
In which position may a New Jersey vessel operator not let a person ride?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.13(a)
Lagoons, canals and confined areas of what width call for slow speed/no wake in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.7(b)
New Jersey's statute on the speed of power vessels reaches danger caused directly and by what else?N.J.S.A. 12:7-45
Through bridge openings of what width must vessels reduce to slow speed/no wake in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.7(b)
What must a person operating a vessel in New Jersey do when a law enforcement officer orders it?N.J.S.A. 12:7-79
What wording does N.J.S.A. 12:7-76(a) use for the lesser offense below recklessness?N.J.S.A. 12:7-76
Which lights on an emergency vessel require passing vessels to slow to slow speed/no wake in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.7(b)
Which of these counts as careless operation of a vessel under New Jersey's statute?N.J.S.A. 12:7-76
Waterskiing, wake surfing and divers 14
During what hours are waterskiing and wake surfing permitted in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(e)
How far must a New Jersey vessel conducting waterskiing keep from docks, persons in the water, other vessels and any shore?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(b)
How large must a diver's buoyed flag be in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.17(a)
How short may a wake surfing tow line be in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(d)
N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(g)1 says how far over the tallest part of the hull the orange triangle must fly. How far?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(g)
N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.17(a)3 sets a keep-out ring around the marker of someone under water. How wide?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.17(a)
N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.17(a)4 restricts the showing of the marker. To what times?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.17(a)
N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.17(a)6 limits where someone under water may come up, emergencies aside. To what range of the marker?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.17(a)
What crew must a New Jersey vessel conducting waterskiing have?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(c)
What lengths may a waterskiing tow line be in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(d)
What must waterskiers and wake surfers wear in New Jersey outside sanctioned events?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(f)
What signal pennant must a ski boat display in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(g)
When may the ski pennant be displayed in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(g)
Which vessels may not be used for wake surfing in New Jersey?N.J.A.C. 13:82-3.1(i)
Operating under the influence 10
A person arrested for operating a vessel under the influence in New Jersey refuses the chemical test, a first offense. For how long does the court revoke the privilege to operate?N.J.S.A. 12:7-57
A refusal of the chemical test in New Jersey is in connection with a second offense. How long is the revocation?N.J.S.A. 12:7-57
Besides a power vessel, which vessels does New Jersey's operating under the influence section cover?N.J.S.A. 12:7-46
For a first offense of operating a vessel under the influence in New Jersey, for how long is the privilege to operate a vessel revoked?N.J.S.A. 12:7-46
N.J.S.A. 12:7-46(a) gives a reading by weight at which nobody may run a boat. What reading?N.J.S.A. 12:7-46
N.J.S.A. 12:7-46(a)(2) lengthens the loss of boating rights after a repeat conviction. To what?N.J.S.A. 12:7-46
N.J.S.A. 12:7-46(a)(3) sets the longest loss of boating rights, for the third conviction onward. How long?N.J.S.A. 12:7-46
N.J.S.A. 12:7-55(a)(1) treats running a boat as agreement to give something for chemical testing. What?N.J.S.A. 12:7-55
Under N.J.S.A. 12:7-46(a)(1)(i), the lowest tier of a first conviction also costs the right to use the highways. For what time?N.J.S.A. 12:7-46
What does New Jersey forbid the owner of a vessel to do about a person who is under the influence?N.J.S.A. 12:7-46
Accidents and reports 8
A New Jersey boating accident causes a death or a disappearance. How must it be reported?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46
A person helps at the scene of a New Jersey boating accident, in good faith, without pay and without objection. What does N.J.S.A. 12:7D-2 say?N.J.S.A. 12:7D-2
After a boating accident in New Jersey, what does N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46(a) have the operator give to injured people and owners of damaged property?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46
May a New Jersey boating accident report be used as evidence in a proceeding?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46
N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46(c) gives a deadline when nobody has died or vanished. What is it?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46
What property damage figure makes a New Jersey boating accident reportable under the statute?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46
Where does N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46(a) set the limit of the aid owed after a mishap?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46
With which office does a New Jersey operator file the description of a boating accident under N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46(b)?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.46
Mufflers, lanyards and floats 5
A vessel in New Jersey is equipped with a lanyard cut-off switch. What does the regulation require of its operator?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.15
Beyond what distance from shore does a float or diving platform need the State Police's written approval on New Jersey waters where power vessels are permitted?N.J.A.C. 13:82-1.18
How large must the warning sign be at a New Jersey business that rents pontoon boats to the public?N.J.S.A. 12:7-87
N.J.S.A. 12:7-23.2 also covers muffler cutouts and bypasses. What is its rule?N.J.S.A. 12:7-23.2
What does N.J.S.A. 12:7-23.2 demand of the exhaust system on any engine-driven craft?N.J.S.A. 12:7-23.2
Numbering and definitions 11
A vessel numbered in another state loses its exemption from New Jersey numbering after how long in the State?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.38
For which rented vessels may the certificate of number be kept on shore in New Jersey?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.39
How far into the adjacent marginal sea do the 'waters of this State' reach in New Jersey's definitions?N.J.S.A. 12:7-71
How tall must the letters and numerals of a New Jersey vessel number be?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.39
N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.38(j) exempts small sailboats from numbering. How small?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.38
N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.45(b) gives the recorded holder a deadline for writing in about a change of status. What is it?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.45
The owner of a numbered New Jersey vessel changes address. How soon must the owner give written notice?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.45
Where is the assigned number displayed on a New Jersey vessel?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.39
Which of these is exempt from numbering in New Jersey?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.38
Which vessel is not a 'power vessel' in New Jersey's definitions?N.J.S.A. 12:7-71
With which agency does the owner of a vessel file the application for a New Jersey number?N.J.S.A. 12:7-34.39
How this list was compiled: Written only from the New Jersey Statutes, Title 12, Chapter 7 (sections 12:7-23.2, 12:7-34.38, 12:7-34.39, 12:7-34.45, 12:7-34.46, 12:7-45, 12:7-46, 12:7-47, 12:7-47.1, 12:7-55, 12:7-57, 12:7-60 to 12:7-65, 12:7-68, 12:7-71, 12:7-72, 12:7-76, 12:7-77, 12:7-79, 12:7-86 and 12:7-87) and section 12:7D-2, read on 2026-10-03 in the statutes text file that the New Jersey Legislature publishes each weekday at https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/statutes/ (the file dated October 3, 2026), and from six rules of the boating regulations, N.J.A.C. 13:82 (13:82-1.7, 1.13, 1.15, 1.18, 3.1 and 3.17), read the same day in the public copy kept by Cornell's Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/title-13/chapter-82, which says it is updated quarterly; the newest amendment it shows among these rules took effect on October 2, 2023. A statute question links to the Legislature's statutes folder, which has no address for one section; a rule question links to its rule. The examination facts are the statute's own: N.J.S.A. 12:7-60 has every approved boat safety course end in a closed-book written examination given by an instructor in person, and 12:7-61.2 sets a written test for experienced boaters in place of the course. No statute or rule read gives a number of questions or a pass mark, so none is stored here. The State Police Marine Services Bureau's page on the boating safety certificate, https://www.nj.gov/njsp/marine-services/boating-safety-certificate.shtml, was opened on 2026-10-03; it says the boat license is an endorsement on a New Jersey driver's license for non-tidal waters and does not replace the certificate. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the statute and rule text; nothing is copied from a boater handbook, a boating course, a course provider's study guide or another practice test.
How it works
This unofficial NJ boating license practice test sticks to state law: New Jersey Statutes Title 12, Chapter 7 and six boating rules of the Administrative Code. Nothing here covers the nautical rules of the road. Read October 2026.
Read the full guide
Certificate at 16, license on non-tidal water, 200 feet
N.J.S.A. 12:7-61 asks everyone of 16 or older for a boat safety certificate to operate a power vessel, personal watercraft included. Non-tidal waters also need a boat license from the Motor Vehicle Commission (12:7-72). Vessels pass marinas and docks within 200 feet at slow speed/no wake.
NJ boaters exam practice test: what the statute says about the exam
N.J.S.A. 12:7-60 gives an approved course at least eight hours and ends it with a closed-book written examination, given by an instructor in person, even after an Internet course. Title 12 says nothing on how many questions or what score, so the tool draws no pass line.
Waterskiing: keep 200 feet off docks and shore, tow line 35 to 85 feet, orange pennant flying.
A child of 12 or under wears a flotation device whenever the vessel is underway.
Questions and answers
Do you need a boating license in New Jersey?
Every operator of a power vessel aged 16 or older needs a boat safety certificate. On non-tidal waters a boat license from the Motor Vehicle Commission is needed as well, and it does not replace the certificate (N.J.S.A. 12:7-61 and 12:7-72).
How many questions are on an NJ boating practice exam here, and what is the pass mark?
The Exam mode set of twenty-five is our own length, scored without any threshold. New Jersey's statute orders a closed-book written examination at the end of an approved course without fixing its length or its pass mark.
How old do you have to be to drive a boat in New Jersey?
Sixteen for power vessels in general. With a boat safety certificate, a person of 13 to 15 may operate a boat powered solely by an electric motor, or one of 12 feet or longer with less than 10 horsepower (N.J.S.A. 12:7-61).
Is this NJ boat exam practice test from the State Police?
No. This site is not a government website and the New Jersey State Police did not review a single question. The statute or rule behind each answer is named so that you can look it up.