Who needs to take the Virginia Boater Safety Course? All PWC operators age 14 and older and all motorboat operators regardless of age need to take the boating safety course. BOATERexam.com is a delegated provider for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
If you are an experienced boater and have a good working knowledge of the navigation rules and Virginia boating laws, you may opt to take an 80-question challenge exam. These exams will be scheduled throughout Virginia.
DWR Boat Virginia Course FREE of charge to the public. Pre-registration may be required and is recommended since classes fill fast. US Coast Guard Auxiliary (Courses may include some cost to cover materials generally $25–40. Ask for full details from class contact person before enrolling. Prices are listed beside the course.
They are NASBLA Approved and accepted by DWR; however, DWR does not maintain their student records. Any of these courses will meet Virginia’s Boating Safety Education Requirement. Many of these providers are fee-based, with fees paid directly to the course provider on a “no pass, no pay” basis.
If you would like to learn more about boating, please check out the workshops and seminars offered by local United States Power Squadrons, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, and other boating organizations. These workshops are short 2–3 hour seminars, workshops, and online courses.
50 multiple choice questionsHOW HARD IS THE TEST? The online boating test is open book and consists of 50 multiple choice questions. You'll need at least 75% (38 out of 50) to pass. Everything you need to pass is covered in the BOATsmart!
The basic material has four chapters, each requiring about 2 hours. A fifth optional chapter provides an introduction to navigation, that covers: GPS waypoint navigation. Using charts, and traditional navigation principles.
A. The boater's exam consists of 36 multiple-choice questions.
0:381:39How to Read Water Buoys and Markers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRemember the phrase red bright returning. And keep the red even-numbered on your right the green oddMoreRemember the phrase red bright returning. And keep the red even-numbered on your right the green odd-numbered buoys will be on your left as you return from open water or head upstream.
If you meet another boat head-on: Under the boating rules of the road, vessels approaching each other head-on are always supposed to pass each other port to port — or left to left, just like on the road.
All PWC operators age 14 and older and all operators (regardless of age) of motorboats with a 10 hp or greater engine need to take a boating safety course. Once you complete the course, the course completion certificate or card that is provided by the course provider is what is required to operate a vessel.
five chaptersThe boat safety course manual consists of five chapters packed with boating tips along with the nautical rules of the road.
The BoatUS Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our work is primarily funded by grants and individual donations. Your donation goes the distance and makes a difference.
50 questionsFor your convenience, you can write the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) Test Online or in a Classroom. All Boating Safety (PCOC) tests and test questions are controlled and provided by Transport Canada. The Online and Classroom paper tests are 50 questions long. The passing mark is 75%.
If you come across the red flag with white diagonal stripe, your best bet is to stay away. Divers could be performing their safety stop at very shallow depths, as little as 15 feet (5 meters) of water.
Boating under the influence is still a significant issue on Canadian waterways and is a factor in approximately 40% of boating-related accidents and deaths in Canada. Remember: Consuming alcohol and not wearing a life jacket can be a deadly combination.
Should you need to contact them for information or to obtain a replacement certificate, please call them directly at the numbers listed below (these courses contain 3 hours of instruction and take approximately 4 hours to complete): Boat Virginia Boating Safety Course (Fee-Based Course) Boat Ed 1-800-830-2268.
If you are an experienced boater and have a good working knowledge of the navigation rules and Virginia boating laws, you may opt to take an 80-question challenge exam. These exams will be scheduled throughout Virginia. The exam is closed book, no reference material is allowed in the examination room. Virginia’s Watercraft Owner’s Guide or other online study material may be utilized to prepare for the exam. We do not offer a study guide.
These workshops are short 2–3 hour seminars, workshops, and online courses. There may be a small fee associated with some course — be sure to read course description. Please note: workshops listed here do not meet Virginia’s education requirement.
Should you need to contact them for information or to obtain a replacement certificate, please call them directly at the numbers listed below: iLearntoBoat (Fee-Based Course) iLearntoBoat 1-800-830-2268.
They are NASBLA Approved and accepted by DWR; however, DWR does not maintain their student records. Any of these courses will meet Virginia’s Boating Safety Education Requirement. Many of these providers are fee-based, with fees paid directly to the course provider on a “no pass, no pay” basis.
DWR Boat Virginia Course FREE of charge to the public. Pre-registration may be required and is recommended since classes fill fast.
These courses do not require timers and can be completed at any pace so long as each module and exam is successfully passed. They are NASBLA Approved and accepted by DWR; however, DWR does not maintain their student records. Any of these courses will meet Virginia’s Boating Safety Education Requirement.
Get boater certified in 3 steps. 1 Study and pass the $34.95 online course. 2 Print your online course completion document. 3 Get ready to go boating!
There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.
All PWC operators age 14 and older and all motorboat operators of 10 hp or greater regardless of age need to take a boating safety course.
All PWC operators age 14 and older and all motorboat operators regardless of age need to take the boating safety course. BOATERexam.com is a delegated provider for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Virginia Boater Safety Course. For a personal watercraft (PWC), the minimum operator age is 14 and operators must complete and pass a boating safety course before they can operate. For a motorboat, there is no minimum operator age and there is no minimum age requirement to attend a NASBLA-approved boating safety course.
As of July 1, 2012, all personal watercraft operators, regardless of age, must have proof of successful completion of an approved boating safety course in order to operate a PWC
BOATERexam.com ® is trusted by agencies across the United States to deliver the best of quality in boating safety education. Our courses consistently receive the highest level of approval from agencies and from boaters.
No person aged 13 or younger may operate a PWC. PWC operators who are 14 and 15 years of age must have proof of successful completion of an approved boater safety course that is approved by the National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
The length of your boat and its type of engine determine the safety equipment that you must carry.
Federal law requires that boat builders put a capacity plate on monohull motorboats less than 20 feet in length . The capacity plate must be permanently displayed in the steering area, in clear view for the operator. This plate displays three important items:
Most recreational boats in the United States use outboard engines and are less than twenty feet in length.
This is because moving on top of the water creates less friction than moving through the water.
The engine is mounted inside the watercraft. It is placed near the center for good weight distribution. They are most popular on motorboats over twenty-six feet in length. The engine connects directly to the transmission, from which a shaft goes through the hull of the boat, passing through the stuffing box. The shaft is then attached to a propeller that turns to drive the boat. The shaft is fixed (does not swivel from side to side), so a rudder behind the shaft and propeller deflects the flow of water and provides steering.
Boating is growing in popularity across the country as people discover the joy of the water. Boating provides hours of enjoyment but can be very dangerous if you don't take safety precautions. This course presents the basics to make sure you can enjoy the water safely. Here are some important boating terms you should know.
A personal watercraft (PWC), such as a jet ski, is considered a motorboat . PWC must follow the same laws and regulations as a boat with the same length and horsepower. In many states, there are additional regulations for PWC.