• 83 questions

SC Boaters Permit Practice Test: South Carolina Law Questions

South Carolina boating safety study guide in question form, state law only: each answer tied to its section.

South Carolina's boating safety certificate law leaves out anyone born on or before which date?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Bank checked October 12, 2026.

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Boating safety certificate 11

  • A Coast Guard license to operate a vessel has passed its expiration date. Does it still satisfy South Carolina's certificate rule? S.C. Code 50-21-95(A)
  • A nonresident born in 2009 visits South Carolina with a boating safety certificate from her home state. May she operate a 40-horsepower boat? S.C. Code 50-21-95(A)
  • A South Carolina boater is convicted of negligent operation three times within five years. What must follow? S.C. Code 50-21-110(D)
  • Besides boats of ten horsepower or more, which craft does South Carolina's certificate rule name? S.C. Code 50-21-95(A)
  • How does South Carolina treat a violation of the certificate rule in section 50-21-95? S.C. Code 50-21-95(B)
  • In what form must South Carolina issue a boating safety certificate? S.C. Code 50-21-90(B)
  • South Carolina's boating safety certificate law leaves out anyone born on or before which date? S.C. Code 50-21-95(A)
  • South Carolina's certificate rule applies to a vessel with an engine of what size? S.C. Code 50-21-95(A)
  • What is a specialty propcraft in South Carolina's definitions? S.C. Code 50-21-10(23)
  • Where must South Carolina's list of approved boating safety courses be provided? S.C. Code 50-21-90(A)
  • Which agency administers South Carolina's boating safety education course and issues the certificate? S.C. Code 50-21-90
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Accompanying adults and rented boats 7

  • A renter negligently damages another boat with a vessel hired from a South Carolina livery. Who is liable as owner? S.C. Code 50-21-120
  • A South Carolina 15-year-old has no certificate. How old must the qualified person who accompanies him be? S.C. Code 50-21-95(A)
  • For how long is a South Carolina boat rental safety certificate valid? S.C. Code 50-21-90(C)
  • How long must a South Carolina boat livery keep its record of who hired a vessel? S.C. Code 50-21-100
  • On which boats does a South Carolina boat rental safety certificate count? S.C. Code 50-21-90(C)
  • Under South Carolina law, an owner is presumed to consent to the use of a vessel when who is in control of it? S.C. Code 50-21-120
  • What must be true of a vessel before a South Carolina boat livery lets it leave the premises? S.C. Code 50-21-120

Flotation devices 7

  • Besides being the approved type, what must a flotation device worn under South Carolina's sections be? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • May South Carolina's department enforce a regulation that makes windsurfers and sailboarders wear or carry flotation devices? S.C. Code 50-21-855
  • On a South Carolina Class A motorboat, a child under what age must wear a flotation device? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • What does South Carolina require of a person water skiing or riding an object towed by a motorized watercraft? S.C. Code 50-21-850(A)
  • What is a Class A boat in South Carolina's personal watercraft and boating safety section? S.C. Code 50-21-870(A)
  • Which towed or wind-driven riders does South Carolina exempt from the ski flotation device rule? S.C. Code 50-21-850(B)
  • Who must wear a flotation device on a personal watercraft or specialty propcraft in South Carolina? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)

Personal watercraft and specialty propcraft 9

  • A South Carolina owner knowingly lets a friend run the owner's personal watercraft after sunset. What does section 50-21-870 say? S.C. Code 50-21-870(C)
  • A South Carolina personal watercraft has a lanyard cutoff switch from the maker. Where must the lanyard be attached? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • A South Carolina personal watercraft tows a skier. Without a second person to watch the skier, what must it have? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • During which hours may a personal watercraft or specialty propcraft not be operated in South Carolina? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • In South Carolina's definition, how is a personal watercraft driven? S.C. Code 50-21-10(20)
  • May a South Carolina boater use a personal watercraft or vessel to chase or disturb wildlife? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • What does South Carolina say about altering a personal watercraft's self-circling device or throttle? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • What safety device must a personal watercraft carry on South Carolina waters? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • When may a personal watercraft tow another vessel in South Carolina? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)

Idle speed distances, negligent and reckless operation 16

  • A diver down flag is shown in a South Carolina creek too narrow to pass fifty feet away. What may another vessel do? S.C. Code 50-21-87(A)
  • A South Carolina boater is convicted of reckless operation a second time within five years. For how long is the privilege suspended? S.C. Code 50-21-111(D)
  • How close may a South Carolina diver come to a vessel whose occupant is fishing? S.C. Code 50-21-87(B)
  • How close to the Atlantic Ocean coast line may a South Carolina vessel exceed idle speed? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • How far from a dock, pier, moored vessel or person in the water must a South Carolina boat be to wake surf above idle speed? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • How far must a South Carolina vessel keep from another vessel whose diver is showing a diver down flag? S.C. Code 50-21-87(A)
  • In South Carolina's definitions, what speed is allowed in a No Wake-Idle Speed area? S.C. Code 50-21-10(14)
  • On Lake Murray, how far from a wharf, dock, bulkhead or pier must a South Carolina vessel be before exceeding idle speed? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • On South Carolina waters not named in the lake list, within what distance of a dock or pier is a vessel held to idle speed? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • On the lakes named in section 50-21-870, how close to a person in the water may a South Carolina vessel exceed idle speed? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • Past which moored vessel may a South Carolina boat exceed idle speed inside fifty feet? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • South Carolina calls it reckless operation to jump another vessel's wake within what distance of that vessel? S.C. Code 50-21-111(B)
  • South Carolina's idle speed distance item does not apply to which lake? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • What does wake surf mean in South Carolina's definitions? S.C. Code 50-21-10(31)
  • Which of these does South Carolina list as negligent operation of a water device? S.C. Code 50-21-110(B)
  • Which of these is on South Carolina's list of reckless operation? S.C. Code 50-21-111(B)

Water skiing and towing 5

  • A South Carolina boat pulls a child on a tube. What must the child wear? S.C. Code 50-21-870(B)
  • A South Carolina motorboat tows a water skier with only the operator aboard. What makes that legal? S.C. Code 50-21-810
  • During which hours are water skiing and towing prohibited on South Carolina waters? S.C. Code 50-21-820
  • What does South Carolina forbid a boat operator to do with a tow rope and a skier? S.C. Code 50-21-840
  • Who is exempt from South Carolina's observer and sunset rules for water skiing? S.C. Code 50-21-830

Alcohol and drugs 10

  • A South Carolina boater is convicted of operating a water device while the privilege was suspended. What does the department add? S.C. Code 50-21-117(C)
  • A South Carolina boater under arrest refuses the chemical tests. For how long is the privilege to operate a water device suspended? S.C. Code 50-21-114(E)
  • After a first conviction under South Carolina's boating under the influence section, for how long is the person barred from operating a water device? S.C. Code 50-21-112(C)
  • At what alcohol level does South Carolina's boating law presume conclusively that a person was not under the influence? S.C. Code 50-21-114(B)
  • For a third conviction under section 50-21-112 in South Carolina, how long is the operating ban? S.C. Code 50-21-112(C)
  • How far back does South Carolina look when counting prior boating under the influence offenses? S.C. Code 50-21-112(E)
  • In a South Carolina boating prosecution, what alcohol level allows the inference that the person was under the influence? S.C. Code 50-21-114(B)
  • When is it unlawful to operate a moving motorized water device in South Carolina after drinking? S.C. Code 50-21-112(A)
  • Which craft does South Carolina's operating under the influence section cover? S.C. Code 50-21-112(A)
  • Which test must a South Carolina boater arrested for operating under the influence be offered first? S.C. Code 50-21-114(A)

Accidents and reports 7

  • A passing South Carolina boater helps at an accident scene without pay and in good faith. What is that person's civil liability for the help? S.C. Code 50-21-130(B)
  • A South Carolina boating accident causes a death. When must the department be notified? S.C. Code 50-21-130(C)
  • A South Carolina operator is convicted of not rendering assistance after a collision. For how long are the privileges suspended? S.C. Code 50-21-130(F)
  • A South Carolina operator is convicted of not reporting a boating accident. For how long are the privileges suspended? S.C. Code 50-21-130(F)
  • After a collision, what must a South Carolina vessel operator give in writing to an injured person or the owner of damaged property? S.C. Code 50-21-130(A)
  • How soon must a reportable boating accident be described in full to South Carolina's department? S.C. Code 50-21-130(C)
  • Which of these makes a South Carolina boating accident reportable under the definitions? S.C. Code 50-21-10(21)

Officers, markers and landings 11

  • A law enforcement officer hails a watercraft in South Carolina waters. What must the operator and crew do? S.C. Code 50-21-175(A)
  • A South Carolina boater nears an area where a vessel flashing a blue light is patrolling. What speed applies? S.C. Code 50-21-85
  • A trailer is left blocking a South Carolina boat ramp. What does section 50-21-148 allow? S.C. Code 50-21-148
  • A vessel flashing a blue light approaches a South Carolina boater. What must the boater do? S.C. Code 50-21-85
  • At a public landing on a South Carolina hydroelectric lake, within what distance must watercraft slow to no wake speed? S.C. Code 50-21-125
  • How close to a public boat landing on a South Carolina hydroelectric lake is swimming unlawful? S.C. Code 50-21-125
  • How does South Carolina class operating a vessel inside a prohibited area marked by regulatory markers? S.C. Code 50-21-710(C)
  • How far ahead must the person in charge apply to hold a regatta or boat race on South Carolina waters? S.C. Code 50-21-1010
  • May a South Carolina boater tie up to a navigation aid or regulatory marker? S.C. Code 50-21-710(E)
  • Where is it unlawful to operate an airboat on South Carolina public waters? S.C. Code 50-21-860(A)
  • Who must be on board a South Carolina vessel that displays a flashing blue light? S.C. Code 50-21-85

How this list was compiled: Written only from Title 50, chapter 21 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, Equipment and Operation of Watercraft (sections 50-21-10, 50-21-85, 50-21-87, 50-21-90, 50-21-95, 50-21-100, 50-21-110, 50-21-111, 50-21-112, 50-21-114, 50-21-117, 50-21-120, 50-21-125, 50-21-130, 50-21-148, 50-21-175, 50-21-710, 50-21-810 to 50-21-870 and 50-21-1010), read on the South Carolina Legislature's site, https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t50c021.php, on 2026-10-12. The chapter is one page there, so every question names its section and links to the chapter page; search the page for the section number. That a course and a certificate exist is sections 50-21-90 and 50-21-95, as 2023 Act No. 74 wrote them. The chapter gives no number of questions and no pass mark, so none is stored here. The Department of Natural Resources' boater education page, https://www.dnr.sc.gov/education/boated.html, was read the same day for the course's name; nothing is asked from it. The Department's regulations in chapter 123 of the Code of Regulations were not read and nothing is asked from them. 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

This unofficial SC boaters permit practice test covers state law only: every question comes from Title 50, chapter 21 of the South Carolina Code and names its section. Buoys, lights and steering rules are in the federal rules bank here. Read October 2026.

Read the full guide

Under 12, fifty feet and 100 yards

Children under 12 wear a flotation device in a motorboat under sixteen feet. Most waters hold boats to idle speed within 50 feet of docks, anchored vessels and swimmers, and within 100 yards of the ocean coast (50-21-870).

  • Two distances on the lakes the statute names, Lake Murray among them: 100 feet from docks and piers, 50 feet from anchored boats and swimmers.
  • Sunset ends two things: personal watercraft riding and all water skiing or towing.

Questions and answers

Is there a boaters permit in South Carolina?

The Code names a boating safety certificate, not a permit or license. Section 50-21-95 requires it of operators born after July 1, 2007 on a boat of ten horsepower or more, a personal watercraft or a specialty propcraft.

How many questions are on the SC boater education test, and what score passes?

Chapter 21 gives neither number. The Department of Natural Resources' boater education page describes its class as six hours, ending in a short test. The 25-question practice exam on this page is this site's own length, with no pass line.

Can you take a boat out in South Carolina without the certificate?

Yes, if you were born on or before July 1, 2007, hold a Coast Guard license, carry another state's certificate as a nonresident, hold a 30-day rental safety certificate on a rented boat, or ride with a qualified adult of 18.

What is the legal alcohol limit for boating in South Carolina?

Section 50-21-112 bans operating while materially and appreciably impaired. Under section 50-21-114, a level of 0.08 percent allows the inference of impairment, 0.05 or less rules it out, and refusing the tests brings a 180-day suspension.

Is this practice test from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources?

No. The Department has no connection with this page, which is private practice material and not a government website. Open any section of chapter 21 to check an answer. The course teaches more than state law.

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