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100+ Free USCG Master Rivers 100 Practice Questions

Prepare for the USCG Master of Less Than 100 GRT — Rivers exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: USCG Master Rivers 100 Exam

RVR05

NMC Exam Code

NMC Examinations

70

Q401 Deck Gen/Safety Questions

NMC RVR05 / Deck Guide

90%

Rules & Chart Plot Pass Score

USCG module standards

70%

Deck/Nav Module Pass Score

USCG Deck Guide

$240

Typical Original Total Fee

Evaluation + exam + issuance

5 yr

MMC Validity

USCG MMC rules

RVR05 Master Rivers less than 100 GRT is modular: Inland Rules (Q300, 90%), Deck General and Safety (Q401, 70 questions at 70%), Navigation General Rivers (Q402, 70%), and Chart Plot (Q403, 90%). Lower-level original fees are about $100+$95+$45 under 46 CFR 10.219. Service follows 46 CFR 11.459 (inland checklist alignment; Great Lakes service not required). This free bank is an English MCQ study aid focused on smaller river vessels.

Sample USCG Master Rivers 100 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your USCG Master Rivers 100 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Inland Navigational Rules, a proper lookout must be maintained by:
A.Radar alone when the river is foggy
B.Sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the circumstances
C.The master only when the vessel is under 100 GRT
D.VHF monitoring unless the vessel is in a lock
Explanation: Rule 5 requires every vessel to keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing and by all available means appropriate to the circumstances so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.
2You observe another vessel by compass bearing while closing range on a river. The bearing remains nearly steady. What should you assume?
A.There is no risk because the bearing is not changing
B.Risk of collision exists
C.Only the other vessel has collision responsibility
D.The other vessel must be overtaking you
Explanation: A steady or nearly steady bearing with decreasing range is a classic indicator of collision risk under Rule 7. Assume risk of collision exists and take appropriate action.
3Two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision. Which vessel is the give-way vessel under the Inland Rules?
A.The vessel that has the other on her own port side
B.The smaller of the two vessels
C.The vessel that has the other on her own starboard side
D.The vessel proceeding downstream
Explanation: Under Rule 15, when two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.
4Under Inland Rule 14, when two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on so as to involve risk of collision, each vessel shall:
A.Alter course to port and pass starboard to starboard
B.Stop engines until the situation clears
C.Alter course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other
D.Sound five short blasts and maintain course
Explanation: Inland Rule 14 requires each power-driven vessel in a head-on meeting involving risk of collision to alter course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.
5Under Rule 13, once a vessel is an overtaking vessel, any subsequent change of bearing between the two vessels:
A.Does not relieve her of the duty to keep clear until she is finally past and clear
B.Converts the situation into a crossing situation once the bearing opens
C.Makes her the stand-on vessel as soon as she is abeam
D.Ends her obligations the moment the other vessel's sternlight is no longer visible
Explanation: Rule 13 states that any subsequent alteration of the bearing between the two vessels does not make the overtaking vessel a crossing vessel or relieve her of the duty to keep clear until she is finally past and clear. On a river this matters when a fast boat comes up on a tow and then draws out abeam: the overtaking duty runs until the pass is complete.
6What lights does a power-driven vessel underway of less than 50 meters typically show under the Inland Rules at night?
A.Sidelights and sternlight only
B.Masthead light, sidelights, and sternlight
C.Two all-round red lights in a vertical line
D.An all-round white light only
Explanation: Rule 23 requires a power-driven vessel underway to exhibit a masthead light forward, sidelights, and a sternlight. A second masthead light is required for vessels 50 meters or more in length.
7Under Inland Rule 34, one short blast when vessels are in sight of one another generally means:
A.I am altering my course to port
B.I am operating astern propulsion
C.Danger; I do not understand your intentions
D.I intend to leave you on my port side (Inland intention/agreement signal for a port-to-port pass when applicable)
Explanation: On the Inland waters, one short blast is used as an intention/agreement signal meaning 'I intend to leave you on my port side' (pass port-to-port when applicable). International Rule 34(a) uses one short blast as 'I am altering my course to starboard.' Know the Inland intention-signal system for RVR05 Q300.
8Five or more short and rapid blasts on the whistle means:
A.I am operating astern propulsion
B.I intend to overtake you on your starboard side
C.Doubt or danger — I do not understand your intentions or I doubt whether sufficient action is being taken
D.Request for a lockage
Explanation: Rule 34 provides that at least five short and rapid blasts is the danger or doubt signal when vessels are in sight and one vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the other, or is in doubt whether sufficient action is being taken to avoid collision.
9In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than two minutes:
A.One short blast
B.One prolonged blast
C.Two prolonged blasts
D.Three short blasts
Explanation: Rule 35(a) requires a power-driven vessel making way through the water to sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes in or near an area of restricted visibility.
10A vessel not under command (NUC) exhibits which day shapes?
A.Two cones with apexes together
B.A ball, a diamond, and a ball
C.Two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line
D.A single black ball
Explanation: Rule 27 requires a vessel not under command to exhibit two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line by day (and two all-round red lights in a vertical line by night).

About the USCG Master Rivers 100 Exam

The USCG Master of Less Than 100 GRT — Rivers examination (NMC exam code RVR05) is the national deck knowledge path for limited 100 GRT master service on rivers under 46 CFR 11.459. Modules cover Inland Rules of the Road (Q300), combined Deck General and Safety (Q401), Navigation General Rivers (Q402), and Chart Plot (Q403). It is distinct from Near Coastal Master 100 (ONC06) and Great Lakes and Inland Master/Mate 100 (GLI06).

Assessment

RVR05: Q300 Rules of the Road Inland (typically 50, 90%); Q401 Deck General and Safety (70, 70%); Q402 Navigation General Rivers (typically 50, 70%); Q403 Chart Plot (typically 10, 90%). Confirm current sample-exam sizes on the NMC RVR05 page.

Time Limit

Up to 3.5 hours per module; minimum two modules per day, all modules completed on consecutive days within the same business week

Passing Score

70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road Inland (Q300); 90% Chart Plot (Q403)

Exam Fee

$95 examination fee; ~$240 typical original lower-level total ($100 evaluation + $95 exam + $45 issuance) (U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) / Regional Exam Centers)

USCG Master Rivers 100 Exam Content Outline

~25%

Rules of the Road Inland

Inland Rules with Western Rivers special provisions for less-than-100 GRT river master decisions (Q300).

~35%

Deck General and Safety

Seamanship, river vessel handling, stability, firefighting, and emergencies for Q401 (70 questions).

~30%

Navigation General Rivers

River navigation, aids, currents, locks, compass, and piloting (Q402).

~10%

Chart Plot

River chart navigation and calculation problems scored at 90% (Q403).

How to Pass the USCG Master Rivers 100 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% most modules; 90% Rules of the Road Inland (Q300); 90% Chart Plot (Q403)
  • Assessment: RVR05: Q300 Rules of the Road Inland (typically 50, 90%); Q401 Deck General and Safety (70, 70%); Q402 Navigation General Rivers (typically 50, 70%); Q403 Chart Plot (typically 10, 90%). Confirm current sample-exam sizes on the NMC RVR05 page.
  • Time limit: Up to 3.5 hours per module; minimum two modules per day, all modules completed on consecutive days within the same business week
  • Exam fee: $95 examination fee; ~$240 typical original lower-level total ($100 evaluation + $95 exam + $45 issuance)

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

USCG Master Rivers 100 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Overprepare for Inland Rules of the Road because Q300 requires 90% to pass.
2Master Western Rivers/Inland special rules: downbound privilege, river-crossing duties, and Inland Rule 34 intention/agreement signals.
3Drill lights and shapes for power-driven vessels, towing vessels, and barges—core river traffic pictures for smaller commercial craft.
4Practice lock procedures, current effects, bank suction, and shallow-water handling for river vessel operations under 100 GRT.
5Drill chart-plot routines for Q403: speed-time-distance, set and drift, and standard plotting symbology—pass is 90%.
6Take timed sets that match REC module length for Q401 (70 questions) and Q402.
7Review stability basics, damage control, firefighting, man overboard, and abandon-ship for the combined deck/safety module.
8Study marlinspike, line handling, and watchkeeping for small river passenger or commercial platforms.
9Confirm your application path is RVR05 (rivers) rather than ONC06 (Near Coastal) or GLI06 (Great Lakes and Inland).
10Know that Inland-only Rules (Q300) may place a COLREGS geographic limitation on the MMC unless International Rules are also completed when required.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the USCG RVR05 exam?

RVR05 is modular for Master of less than 100 GRT on rivers. Published modules include Rules of the Road Inland (Q300), Deck General and Safety (Q401 — 70 questions at 70%), Navigation General Rivers (Q402), and Chart Plot (Q403). Exact totals depend on the current NMC module sizes; confirm sample exams on the RVR05 NMC page.

What passing score do I need?

Most modules require 70%. Rules of the Road Inland (Q300) requires 90%. Chart Plot (Q403) requires 90%.

How much does the exam cost?

Under 46 CFR 10.219, a typical original lower-level officer path is about $100 evaluation, $95 examination, and $45 issuance (~$240 total). Medical, drug testing, and training costs are separate. Pay via Pay.gov.

Can I take the exam remotely?

No. These deck officer modules are administered in person at U.S. Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers (RECs). There is no approved remote-testing option for these endorsements.

Is RVR05 the same as the Near Coastal 100-ton Master exam?

No. RVR05 is Master of less than 100 GRT on rivers. Near Coastal Master less than 100 GRT uses a different NMC path (ONC06 / uscg-master-100). Great Lakes and Inland Master/Mate less than 100 GRT uses GLI06 (uscg-master-mate-gli-100). Do not mix route-specific modules or assume one credential covers the other route.

What regulation covers Master or Mate on rivers?

46 CFR 11.459 addresses Master or Mate on rivers. NMC directs applicants to the master or mate Great Lakes and inland checklists as appropriate for service requirements; Great Lakes service is not required for rivers routes.

Is Q401 separate deck general and deck safety?

On RVR05, Q401 is a combined Deck General and Safety module (70 questions, 70% pass), not two separate 50-question deck modules as on some higher-tonnage or other route paths.

What calculator can I bring?

The NMC policy letter of December 2, 2024 superseded the earlier TI-30XIIS-only rule. At a Regional Exam Center you may use a programmable calculator with memory if all programs and memory are cleared before entry and you can demonstrate clearing with the manufacturer's instructions. If the examiner cannot confirm the device is cleared, a TI-30XIIS is provided instead. Only one calculator is allowed; other electronics including smart watches are not permitted.

Is this free practice bank an official Coast Guard exam?

No. This is a free English-language multiple-choice study aid for exam prep. Official modules are administered by the Coast Guard at RECs and may include chart-plot and calculation items that this bank approximates with knowledge and calculation MCQs.