First Class Pilot License Practice Test

The federal pilot license: you take the ships in and out of a harbor or along a route. Two general modules here; the route-specific local knowledge and chart sketch you learn on the water. Coast Guard exam code FCP01.

170 real questions from the Coast Guard National Maritime Center's public sample exams, free. Rules of the Road needs 90%. Every other module needs 70%.

Passing score: Coast Guard pass marks module by module, and the retest rules

What's free: daily rounds, the Brig, the drills and the Pass Meter, for every license. Your first module test is free too. After that, the full Exam Room is $19, once. No subscription.

What's on the test

The Q372 or Q373 Chart Plot, plus Q374 Local Knowledge and Q375 Chart Sketch for the route you apply for (set by your Coast Guard Sector) module is done on a paper chart at the exam, so it isn't here. Practice it with the chart and tools.

10 sample questions

1. For the purpose of the Inland Navigation Rules, the term "Inland Waters" includes which of the following?

   • A.The coastline of the United States out to one mile offshore
   • B.The Great Lakes on the United States side of the boundary
   • C.The waters surrounding any islands of the U.S.
   • D.Any lakes within state boundaries
   Show answer

   B. The Great Lakes on the United States side of the boundary

   Q100, Rules of the Road: International & Inland

2. Which is the proper term used to describe a stream of water immediately surrounding a moving vessel's hull, flowing in the same direction as the vessel?

   • A.Forward current
   • B.Directional current
   • C.Propeller current
   • D.Wake current
   Show answer

   D. Wake current

   Q160, Deck General

3. When is a lookout permitted to leave his station?

   • A.15 minutes before the end of the watch
   • B.Only when properly relieved
   • C.At the end of the watch
   • D.At any time
   Show answer

   B. Only when properly relieved

   Q170, Deck General / Safety

4. A law enforcement vessel patrolling a marine regatta may exhibit a flashing blue light or which of the following alternates?

   • A.two amber lights in a horizontal line
   • B.a fixed green light over a red flashing light
   • C.a high intensity flashing white light (strobe)
   • D.an alternately flashing red and yellow light
   Show answer

   D. an alternately flashing red and yellow light

   Q100, Rules of the Road: International & Inland

5. In fog you observe your radar and determine that risk of collision exists with a vessel which is 2 miles off your port bow. Which action should you take?

   • A.Take avoiding action as soon as possible
   • B.Sound five short and rapid blasts at two-minute intervals
   • C.Hold course and speed until the other vessel is sighted
   • D.Stop your engines
   Show answer

   A. Take avoiding action as soon as possible

   Q100, Rules of the Road: International & Inland

6. You are docking a vessel. When are the wind and current most favorable in this situation?

   • A.When they are crossing your course, both in the same direction
   • B.When they are both setting you on the pier
   • C.When they are both parallel to the pier from ahead
   • D.When they are crossing your course, in opposite directions to the other
   Show answer

   C. When they are both parallel to the pier from ahead

   Q170, Deck General / Safety

7. In the IALA Buoyage System, what do buoys with alternating red and green horizontal bands indicate?

   • A.Spoil grounds
   • B.The preferred channel
   • C.Fishing areas
   • D.An isolated danger
   Show answer

   B. The preferred channel

   Q171, Navigation General: Near Coastal

8. A commercial vessel engaged in public safety activities may display a(n) identity light(s). Which of the following is appropriate for these activities?

   • A.alternately flashing red and yellow light
   • B.flashing yellow light
   • C.alternately flashing blue and red light
   • D.flashing blue light
   Show answer

   A. alternately flashing red and yellow light

   Q100, Rules of the Road: International & Inland

9. Which is TRUE for a vessel using a traffic separation scheme?

   • A.only anchor in the separation zone
   • B.avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme
   • C.use the separation zone for navigating through the scheme if she is hindering other traffic due to her slower speed
   • D.avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so, shall cross on as small an angle as is practical
   Show answer

   B. avoid anchoring in areas near the termination of the scheme

   Q100, Rules of the Road: International & Inland

10. Which is TRUE when you pay out more anchor cable?

    • A.This action decreases the swing of your vessel while at anchor
    • B.This action will decrease the holding power of your anchor
    • C.This action will increase the holding power of your anchor
    • D.This action will increase the possibility that your vessel will drag anchor
    Show answer

    C. This action will increase the holding power of your anchor

    Q170, Deck General / Safety

What the study guide does

• Short daily rounds of 10 questions, with a streak.
• Practice tests built like the real one, scored with the real pass marks (first one free, then $19 once for the full Exam Room).
• The Brig: questions you miss come back until you get them right twice.
• Pass Meter: your chance of passing every module if you sat it today, worked out from your own answers.
• Lights, shapes and sound signal drills (Rules 21-35).