100+ Free USCG OUPV Practice Questions
Pass your USCG OUPV Six-Pack Captain License exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Which of the following is a key requirement for obtaining a USCG OUPV Six-Pack Captain's License?
Key Facts: USCG OUPV Exam
160
Exam Questions
4 modules
90% / 70%
Passing Standard
Module-dependent
$240
Current Fees
Original lower-level officer endorsement
360 days
Sea Service
Base OUPV requirement
18
Minimum Age
Officer-endorsement rule for OUPV
6 passengers
Common Authority
Uninspected passenger vessel limit
As of March 2026, the Coast Guard still uses the current National Maritime Center OUPV module structure of 160 questions across four separately graded modules. You must score 90% on Rules of the Road and Chart Plot, and 70% on Deck General/Safety and Navigation General. Each module allows up to 3.5 hours, and original lower-level officer endorsement fees total $240 before any medical, drug-test, or optional course costs.
Sample USCG OUPV Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your USCG OUPV exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which of the following is a key requirement for obtaining a USCG OUPV Six-Pack Captain's License?
2What is the primary responsibility of the Operator of an Uninspected Passenger Vessel?
3Under the Rules of the Road, a power-driven vessel shall keep out of the way of all of the following EXCEPT:
4When plotting a course on a nautical chart, what does the compass rose indicate?
5Which of the following is a life-saving appliance required on a 'six-pack' vessel?
6A vessel's position is plotted on a chart. The latitude is read from the _______ scale and the longitude is read from the _______ scale.
7In the U.S. ATONS system, what shape is a red daymark?
8What does one short blast of a ship's whistle mean in a meeting situation?
9Which of the following conditions would require you to show the lights of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver?
10What is variation in marine navigation?
About the USCG OUPV Exam
The USCG OUPV license, commonly called the Six-Pack captain license, authorizes service aboard uninspected passenger vessels carrying up to six passengers for hire. The Coast Guard's current OUPV testing structure uses four modules covering Rules of the Road, Deck General/Safety, Navigation General, and Chart Plot, with route-specific differences between Near Coastal and Great Lakes/Inland endorsements.
Assessment
4 modules: Rules of the Road (50), Deck General/Safety (50), Navigation General (50), and Chart Plot (10). Great Lakes/Inland candidates take either Inland & International Rules or Inland-only Rules, with the inland-only option resulting in a geographic COLREGS limitation.
Time Limit
Up to 3.5 hours per module; all modules must be completed on consecutive days within the same business week
Passing Score
Rules & Chart Plot: 90%; Deck General/Safety & Navigation General: 70%
Exam Fee
$240 total for an original lower-level officer endorsement ($100 evaluation + $95 examination + $45 issuance) (U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) / Regional Examination Centers (RECs))
USCG OUPV Exam Content Outline
Rules of the Road
International and Inland steering and sailing rules, lookout and risk of collision, overtaking and crossing situations, lights and day shapes, sound signals, narrow channels, and traffic separation concepts. Great Lakes/Inland candidates may take Inland and International Rules or request an Inland-only Rules module with a COLREGS limitation.
Deck General/Safety
Seamanship, anchoring and mooring, line handling, emergency procedures, required safety gear, firefighting and lifesaving awareness, weather judgment, and practical small-vessel operating safety.
Navigation General
Piloting and dead reckoning, charts and publications, aids to navigation, compass and bearing work, tides and currents, weather sources, ETA planning, and route awareness for Near Coastal or Great Lakes/Inland service.
Chart Plot
Course, speed, time, distance, set and drift, fixes, bearings, and practical plotting problems solved on training charts using standard plotting tools.
How to Pass the USCG OUPV Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Rules & Chart Plot: 90%; Deck General/Safety & Navigation General: 70%
- Assessment: 4 modules: Rules of the Road (50), Deck General/Safety (50), Navigation General (50), and Chart Plot (10). Great Lakes/Inland candidates take either Inland & International Rules or Inland-only Rules, with the inland-only option resulting in a geographic COLREGS limitation.
- Time limit: Up to 3.5 hours per module; all modules must be completed on consecutive days within the same business week
- Exam fee: $240 total for an original lower-level officer endorsement ($100 evaluation + $95 examination + $45 issuance)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
USCG OUPV Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OUPV Six-Pack captain license?
OUPV stands for Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels. It is the Coast Guard endorsement commonly used by charter-fishing guides, harbor-tour operators, and other small-vessel operators who carry up to six passengers for hire on an uninspected vessel. Route authority depends on whether the credential is issued for Near Coastal, Great Lakes/Inland, or Inland service.
How many questions are on the OUPV exam?
The current OUPV examination structure is 160 questions total across four modules: 50 Rules of the Road questions, 50 Deck General/Safety questions, 50 Navigation General questions, and 10 Chart Plot questions. Great Lakes/Inland and Inland candidates take route-appropriate versions of the Rules and Navigation General modules, but the overall question count remains 160.
How much time do you get for the OUPV exam?
The Coast Guard's current deck and engineering guide allows up to 3.5 hours per module. Examinations are completed on consecutive days within the same business week, and the Regional Examination Center requires at least two modules per day unless a course-completion certificate is used in lieu of testing.
What score do you need to pass the OUPV exam?
You do not pass with one blended overall percentage. Rules of the Road and Chart Plot each require 90%, while Deck General/Safety and Navigation General each require 70%. Because the modules are graded separately, a weak Rules or Chart Plot result can fail the application even if the other modules are strong.
How much does the OUPV license application cost?
For an original lower-level officer endorsement such as OUPV, the current Coast Guard fee schedule totals $240: $100 evaluation, $95 examination, and $45 issuance. That total does not include related costs such as the physical exam, drug test, or any optional Coast Guard-approved training course used in lieu of testing.
Can a Coast Guard-approved course replace the OUPV exam?
Yes. The National Maritime Center checklist allows a course completion certificate in lieu of the Coast Guard examination when the course is Coast Guard-approved for the endorsement and route you are applying for. Even if you plan to use a course certificate, practice questions are still useful because they reinforce the same Rules, navigation, and safety knowledge expected in real operations.
What changed for OUPV applicants in 2026?
I did not find a newly published 2026 OUPV exam blueprint change. The important current updates affecting 2026 applicants are that the September 15, 2025 OUPV checklist uses the recency standard of 90 days in the past 7 years under Policy Letter 02-25, and the Coast Guard fee FAQ states that MMC-related fees have been paid through Pay.gov since January 19, 2025.