A boater is cited in Oregon for operating without a card. When must the court conditionally suspend all or part of the fine?ORS 830.096
A person of 16 or older in Oregon has no card. How may that person lawfully operate a motorboat of more than 10 horsepower?ORS 830.090
A person took an approved boating safety course years ago. How does Oregon's education program treat that?ORS 830.084
A visitor from another state operates a motorboat of more than 10 horsepower in Oregon. What excuses the visitor from an Oregon card?ORS 830.092
How old must a person be to obtain an Oregon boating safety education card?ORS 830.086
In Oregon, a boating safety education card is needed to operate a motorboat with an engine of what size?ORS 830.090
ORS 830.084(1) ties the Marine Board's education baseline to an outside body's benchmark. Which benchmark?ORS 830.084
ORS 830.092(1) lets a customer of 16 or more hire a powerful livery boat without the card. On what condition?ORS 830.092
ORS 830.092(2) waives the card for holders of a document required by ORS 508.235. Which document?ORS 830.092
ORS 830.094 says where the card is kept during a trip under power. Where?ORS 830.094
What may a person take in Oregon in place of the boating safety course?ORS 830.084
Which Coast Guard document excuses an Oregon boater from the boating safety education card?ORS 830.092
Show all 112 questions (100 more)
Operators aged 12 to 15 6
A 14-year-old card holder in Oregon wants to operate a motorboat of more than 10 horsepower. Who must be aboard?ORS 830.088
A person under 16 wants to operate a personal watercraft in Oregon outside a sanctioned competition. Who must be on board?OAR 250-021-0030(12)
ORS 830.088 gives operating rights to card holders of what ages?ORS 830.088
ORS 830.088 lets a cardholder in the 12 to 15 bracket go out unaccompanied in a limited class of boat. Which class?ORS 830.088
To whom may a personal watercraft not be rented in Oregon?OAR 250-021-0030(14)
When may a youth of 12 to 15 operate a personal watercraft independently in Oregon?OAR 250-021-0036
Personal watercraft 17
During what hours may a personal watercraft tow a skier or floating device in Oregon?OAR 250-021-0030(10)
How far directly behind a water skier being towed must a personal watercraft stay in Oregon?OAR 250-021-0030(9)
How large must a personal watercraft be to tow a skier in Oregon?OAR 250-021-0030(10)
OAR 250-021-0020 defines a personal watercraft. How long may its hull be under that definition?OAR 250-021-0020
OAR 250-021-0030(2) concerns the tether of a factory-fitted kill switch. To what is it fastened?OAR 250-021-0030(2)
OAR 250-021-0030(5) gives examples of maneuvers that count as unsafe or reckless. Which of these is one?OAR 250-021-0030(5)
OAR 250-021-0030(7)(c) uses a shorter buffer around craft that lie at anchor or have no motor. How long is it?OAR 250-021-0030(7)
OAR 250-021-0030(15) protects animals from riders. How?OAR 250-021-0030(15)
On Oregon lakes, bays and reservoirs, how far from the shoreline does the slow-no wake rule for personal watercraft reach?OAR 250-021-0030(7)
Under OAR 250-021-0030(10)(a), who must be aboard an Oregon personal watercraft that is towing someone?OAR 250-021-0030(10)
What is the general rule for personal watercraft on Oregon's rivers?OAR 250-021-0040(2)
What is the top speed for a personal watercraft in Oregon when it approaches within 100 feet of another motorized or sail vessel underway?OAR 250-021-0030(8)
What must each operator and rider of a personal watercraft wear under OAR 250-021-0030(1)?OAR 250-021-0030(1)
When may a personal watercraft be operated between sunset and sunrise in Oregon?OAR 250-021-0030(4)
Which river does Oregon's personal watercraft rule list simply as open?OAR 250-021-0040(2)
Within what distance of a boat launch ramp, dock, swim float, pier or marina must a personal watercraft keep to slow-no wake speed in Oregon?OAR 250-021-0030(7)
Within what distance of a swimmer, surfer, diving flag or bank angler must a personal watercraft keep to slow-no wake speed in Oregon?OAR 250-021-0030(7)
Personal flotation devices 10
At what length does OAR 250-010-0154(2) call for a device that can be thrown?OAR 250-010-0154(2)
OAR 250-010-0154(3) makes youngsters keep a flotation device on during a trip. Through what age?OAR 250-010-0154(3)
OAR 250-010-0154(6)(a) lets two kinds of long paddle craft skip the thrown device. Which?OAR 250-010-0154(6)
On what waters must the operator and all passengers of a boat wear a properly secured personal flotation device in Oregon, whatever their age?ORS 830.215
On which boat may a child of 12 or under go without a worn device in Oregon when tethered by a lifeline or harness?OAR 250-010-0154(3)
ORS 830.215(1) fixes the number of flotation devices by headcount. What number?ORS 830.215
Under ORS 830.215, when is a personal flotation device NOT 'readily accessible'?ORS 830.215
Which circumstance does OAR 250-010-0154(3)(a) except from the wearing requirement for youngsters?OAR 250-010-0154(3)
Which kind of device does Oregon's rule rule out on rivers rated Class III or higher?OAR 250-010-0154(5)
Which of these is excused from carrying any personal flotation device under Oregon's rule?OAR 250-010-0154(6)
Slow-no wake and safe operation 16
A person holds on to the swim platform aft of the transom to be pulled along. What does Oregon law forbid the operator to do?ORS 830.362
Above what speed may no one ride on the gunwales or transom of a motorboat underway in Oregon, unless it has adequate guards or railings?ORS 830.360
An Oregon peace officer sees a boat operated in an 'especially hazardous condition'. What may the officer order?ORS 830.380
For what purpose does ORS 830.360 expressly let a person stand on the bow of a boat?ORS 830.360
How does Oregon define the crime of unsafe operation of a boat?ORS 830.305
How does Oregon's overloading section measure a boat's limit?ORS 830.355
Oregon's basic slow-no wake rule applies within what distance of a boat launch ramp or designated swim area?OAR 250-010-0025(1)
Oregon's basic slow-no wake rule counts a marina with a capacity for how many moored vessels?OAR 250-010-0025(1)
ORS 830.370(1) covers tying up to federal or Marine Board channel markers. What does it say?ORS 830.370
What does Oregon law say about operating a boat inside a bathing or swimming area clearly marked by buoys?ORS 830.345
What is Oregon's general speed rule for every boat?ORS 830.315
When may a motorboat's engine idle in Oregon with a person briefly on the swim step aft of the transom?ORS 830.362
When may a person ride on the deck over the bow of a motorboat under way in Oregon?ORS 830.360
Where does Oregon forbid anchoring a boat for fishing or other purposes?ORS 830.345
Which of these is an 'especially hazardous condition' under ORS 830.380?ORS 830.380
Which vessels does Oregon's basic slow-no wake rule not apply to?OAR 250-010-0025(2)
Waterskiing and towed watersports 11
A motorboat may get Oregon's towed watersports motorboat certificate only if its maximum loading weight is below what figure?ORS 830.643
An Oregon resident wants a towed watersports endorsement. Which card must the person already hold?ORS 830.643
Apart from a downed skier, when may Oregon's warning flag be displayed?ORS 830.365
During what hours does Oregon ban waterskiing and towing a person on skis or a surfboard?ORS 830.365
ORS 830.365(5) requires someone besides the driver during a tow. Who?ORS 830.365
ORS 830.365(7)(a) gives least dimensions for the warning cloth shown when a rider falls. What are they?ORS 830.365
What color is Oregon's 'skier down' warning flag?ORS 830.365
What does a 'Diver Flag' look like under Oregon's rule?OAR 250-010-0275
What does Oregon's rule ask of the operator of a vessel passing near a displayed diver flag?OAR 250-010-0275
When may a curved rearview mirror take the place of the observer in an Oregon ski boat?ORS 830.365
When must a person in an Oregon tow boat display the 'skier down' flag?ORS 830.365
Boating under the influence of intoxicants 11
A convicted Oregon boater's record shows a willful refusal of a breath, urine or field sobriety test. For how long is the education card suspended?ORS 830.555
A court convicts a person of boating under the influence in Oregon. For how long must it order the person not to operate a boat?ORS 830.994
After a conviction for boating under the influence, what course must an Oregon court order?ORS 830.994
Besides intoxicating liquor, which substances does ORS 830.325 name?ORS 830.325
By operating a boat on Oregon waters, to which chemical test for alcohol is a person deemed to have consented if arrested for boating under the influence?ORS 830.505
Does Oregon's law on intoxicants reach a person riding water skis or a surfboard?ORS 830.365
From what blood alcohol level does Oregon's boating law treat a person as under the influence of intoxicating liquor?ORS 830.510
What does Oregon forbid the owner of a boat to do about an intoxicated person?ORS 830.325
What happens to an Oregon boater's education card on a conviction for boating under the influence?ORS 830.994
What is the urine test of ORS 830.505 meant to find?ORS 830.505
Which boats does Oregon's operating under the influence section cover?ORS 830.325
Accidents and reports 13
After an accident with an injury in Oregon, what must the operator give to the other operator or occupants?ORS 830.475
An Oregon boat damages an unattended dock. What must the operator do?ORS 830.475
An Oregon boat is in an accident that injures a person. What must the operator do first?ORS 830.475
An Oregon boating incident causes an injury that needs medical treatment beyond first aid. How soon must the written report reach the Marine Board?OAR 250-010-0110(1)
Can an Oregon boating accident report filed with the Marine Board be used as trial evidence under ORS 830.490(3)?ORS 830.490
From what amount of damage must an Oregon boating incident be reported?OAR 250-010-0110(2)
OAR 250-010-0110(2) gives a longer deadline when only belongings or hulls are harmed. What is it?OAR 250-010-0110(2)
ORS 830.475(3)(b) describes the aid owed to the hurt. What does it include?ORS 830.475
ORS 830.480(3) passes the reporting duty on when the driver is incapacitated. To whom?ORS 830.480
ORS 830.495(1) lists the authorities to be told at once when somebody vanishes overboard. Which?ORS 830.495
ORS 830.495(2) covers the case of a skipper who cannot raise the alarm after a fatality. What then?ORS 830.495
To whom does an Oregon operator make the accident report that ORS 830.480 requires?ORS 830.480
What must a witness to an Oregon boating accident furnish?ORS 830.475
Mufflers, cut-off switches and rentals 4
OAR 250-010-0166 has two exceptions to wearing the kill-switch link. What are they?OAR 250-010-0166
What does Oregon law say about cutouts and open exhaust stacks on a motorboat?ORS 830.260
What must an Oregon boat livery make sure of before a rented boat leaves its premises?ORS 830.410
When must a person use an engine cut-off switch link under Oregon's rule?OAR 250-010-0166
Numbers and permits 12
A boat numbered in another state comes to Oregon. After the 60-day reciprocity period, how soon must its owner apply for an Oregon number?ORS 830.805
A person rents a boat from an Oregon livery and the certificate of number stays at the livery office. What must the renter have?ORS 830.770
An Oregon-numbered boat is sold, abandoned or destroyed. How soon must the owner notify the State Marine Board?ORS 830.710
Can an Oregon waterway access permit be used on more than one boat?ORS 830.624
How tall must the characters of an Oregon boat's identifying number be?ORS 830.780
ORS 830.800(1) names the day on which the pocket-size registration paper lapses. Which day?ORS 830.800
The owner of an Oregon-numbered boat changes address. How soon must the change be reported to the Board?ORS 830.710
What does Oregon law say about the color of a boat's identifying number?ORS 830.780
Where do Oregon's validation stickers go on the boat?ORS 830.795
Where on an Oregon boat does ORS 830.780(1)(a) put the identifying number?ORS 830.780
Which boats need Oregon's aquatic invasive species prevention permit under ORS 830.565?ORS 830.565
Who must carry an Oregon waterway access permit?ORS 830.624
How this list was compiled: Written only from Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 830, Small Watercraft, 2025 Edition (sections 830.084 to 830.096, 830.215, 830.260, 830.305, 830.315, 830.325, 830.345 to 830.380, 830.410, 830.475 to 830.495, 830.505, 830.510, 830.555, 830.565, 830.624, 830.643, 830.710, 830.770, 830.780, 830.795, 830.800, 830.805 and 830.994), read on the Oregon Legislature's own site, https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors830.html, on 2026-10-03, and from nine rules of the State Marine Board in Oregon Administrative Rules chapter 250 (250-010-0025, 250-010-0110, 250-010-0154, 250-010-0166, 250-010-0275, 250-021-0020, 250-021-0030, 250-021-0036 and 250-021-0040), read the same day in the public copy kept by Cornell's Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/oregon/chapter-250, which says it is updated quarterly; the newest amendment it shows among these rules took effect on December 22, 2023. A statute question links to the chapter page, which has no address for one section; a rule question links to its rule. That an examination exists is ORS 830.084: the Board creates a boating safety course and examination, and an equivalency exam that may substitute for the course. Neither the statute nor the rules read give a number of questions or a pass mark, so none is stored here. The Marine Board's page on boating education cards, https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/Pages/Boater-Education-Cards.aspx, was opened on 2026-10-03; it lists Internet courses, classroom and virtual courses and an equivalency exam given at sheriff's offices. 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
For the Oregon boating license test, this unofficial bank asks what ORS Chapter 830 and the State Marine Board's rules say, and nothing but state law. Rules of the road between vessels are left out. Read October 2026.
Read the full guide
10 horsepower, ages 12 to 15, and 200 feet
ORS 830.090 asks for a boating safety education card on any engine greater than 10 horsepower. Twelve is the youngest age for the card. Card holders of 12 to 15 run 10 horsepower or less alone (830.088). The Marine Board's rules hold boats to slow-no wake within 200 feet of ramps, marinas and swim areas, and put a life jacket on children of 12 and under.
What the statute says about the course and the exam
ORS 830.084 has the Marine Board create a course with an examination, and an equivalency exam that may replace the course. How long the examination is and what score passes are in neither the statute nor the rules read, which is why the tool marks no pass line.
The skier-down flag is orange or red, at least 12 inches square, and goes up only while someone is down.
Most rivers are closed to personal watercraft; the rule lists the Columbia as open.
Questions and answers
Do you need a boating license in Oregon?
Strictly, no: the paper Oregon hands a boater is called a boating safety education card. ORS 830.090 asks for it on a motorboat with an engine greater than 10 horsepower. It follows an approved course or the equivalency exam.
How many questions are on the Oregon boater education test?
Oregon's statutes give no number. The Marine Board's page gives 60 questions for its virtual classroom course's final exam, as it stood in October. Switch to Exam mode and you get 25, a length that is this site's alone; your score is shown bare.
How old do you have to be to drive a boat in Oregon?
Twelve, with a card. A card holder of 12 to 15 may run 10 horsepower or less alone, and more with a card holder of 16 or older supervising. Personal watercraft are stricter: under 16, a person of at least 18 rides along.
Is this Oregon boating test from the State Marine Board?
No. The Oregon State Marine Board did not make or approve this bank, and the site is not a government website. Each answer points to its statute or rule, so you can verify it. The course's navigation and boat handling lessons are outside this bank.