Skip to content

SailQuiz

Quiz-first learning

US rules of the road

Navigation Rules practice for real decisions on the water

Practice the reasoning behind lookout, safe speed, collision risk, crossing situations, and action to avoid collision. Start with five explained scenarios.

Start full rules practiceTry scenarios first
Terminology
US focus
Free preview
5 scenarios
Check jurisdiction
Inland + International

Start with the map

A safe answer starts before vessels get close

The Navigation Rules form a decision system rather than a list of isolated right-of-way facts. A vessel must maintain a proper lookout, proceed at a safe speed, assess collision risk, and take early and substantial action when required.

US waters may be governed by Inland Rules or International Rules. Many principles overlap, but some signals and provisions differ. Always identify the applicable rules for the waters where you operate.

1

Lookout

Use sight, hearing, and all available means appropriate to the circumstances to understand traffic and hazards.

2

Safe speed

Choose a speed that allows effective action and stopping within a distance appropriate to visibility, traffic, and conditions.

3

Collision risk

Treat steady relative bearing with decreasing range as a warning and avoid assumptions based on limited information.

4

Early action

Make course or speed changes large enough to be readily apparent and continue monitoring until finally past and clear.

No signup required

Try the practice questions

Choose an answer mentally, then reveal the explanation. The goal is to understand the reasoning, not just memorize a letter.

1

What is the primary purpose of maintaining a proper lookout?

  1. A.To identify only vessels ahead
  2. B.To make a full appraisal of the situation and collision risk
  3. C.To replace radar
  4. D.To determine which vessel is faster
Reveal answer and explanation

Answer: B. To make a full appraisal of the situation and collision risk

A lookout is not limited to the bow or to vision. Sight, hearing, and all available means are used to understand the complete situation and assess risk.

2

Which observation is a classic warning that risk of collision may exist?

  1. A.The other vessel's bearing stays nearly constant as range decreases
  2. B.The other vessel appears smaller
  3. C.Your wake gets longer
  4. D.The wind shifts aft
Reveal answer and explanation

Answer: A. The bearing stays nearly constant as range decreases

A steady relative bearing with decreasing distance is a strong collision-risk indicator. Close or large vessels may still create risk even when the bearing changes slightly.

3

In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels, another vessel is on your starboard side. What is generally your role?

  1. A.Stand-on vessel
  2. B.Give-way vessel
  3. C.Overtaking vessel
  4. D.Vessel not under command
Reveal answer and explanation

Answer: B. Give-way vessel

The vessel that has the other on her own starboard side generally keeps out of the way. Action should be early and substantial, while avoiding crossing ahead when circumstances permit.

4

What characterizes good action to avoid collision?

  1. A.A series of small changes
  2. B.An early, substantial change that is readily apparent
  3. C.Waiting until the other vessel acts
  4. D.Turning without checking the result
Reveal answer and explanation

Answer: B. An early, substantial change that is readily apparent

Small successive changes can be hard for the other vessel to detect. A deliberate maneuver should be made in ample time and monitored until the vessels are finally past and clear.

5

Does being the stand-on vessel remove the duty to monitor the situation?

  1. A.Yes, completely
  2. B.Only at night
  3. C.No, the stand-on vessel must keep watch and may need to act
  4. D.Only in Inland waters
Reveal answer and explanation

Answer: C. No, the stand-on vessel must keep watch and may need to act

The stand-on vessel initially maintains course and speed, but still monitors closely. The Rules permit and eventually require action when it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.

Continue learning

Choose your next step

Day Skipper Theory

Practice COLREGS, lights, shapes, navigation, weather, tides, and coastal decision-making.

Explore coastal theory

All US resources

Return to the US learning path and choose practice by your current goal.

Browse US practice