Captain's License / Study Guides
⚓Rules of the Road
The Rules of the Road section is the #1 failure point on the OUPV exam. It's closed book, requires 90% to pass, and covers 50 questions on COLREGS and Inland Navigation Rules. This guide covers everything you need to know.
What's Covered
Part A — General (Rules 1-3)
Application, responsibility, and general definitions. When rules apply, who they apply to, and what constitutes a vessel.
Part B-I — Steering in Any Visibility (Rules 4-10)
Lookout, safe speed, risk of collision, action to avoid collision, narrow channels, traffic separation schemes.
Part B-II — Steering In Sight (Rules 11-18)
Sailing vessels, overtaking, head-on, crossing situations, action by give-way vessel, action by stand-on vessel, responsibilities between vessels.
Part B-III — Restricted Visibility (Rule 19)
Conduct in restricted visibility — the most critical single rule for safe navigation.
Part C — Lights & Shapes (Rules 20-31)
Navigation lights for every vessel type, daylight shapes, visibility ranges, and special configurations.
Part D — Sound & Light Signals (Rules 32-37)
Whistle signals, bell signals, gong signals, and distress signals. Maneuvering signals vs warning signals.
Inland vs International Differences
Key differences between COLREGS (international) and Inland Rules — the exam tests both and expects you to know which apply.
Study Tips
- 1.Make flashcards for every light configuration — you need to recognize them instantly
- 2.Learn the hierarchy of responsibility: Rule 18 vessel priority (not under command > restricted ability > constrained by draft > fishing > sailing > power-driven)
- 3.Sound signals: know the difference between maneuvering signals (inland) and intent signals (international)
- 4.For lights questions, draw the vessel from the perspective shown — top-down helps
- 5.Rule 19 (restricted visibility) is fundamentally different from Rules 11-18 — there is no stand-on/give-way in fog
Common Mistakes
- ✗Confusing inland maneuvering signals (1 short = I intend to leave you on my port side) with international signals (1 short = I am altering my course to starboard)
- ✗Forgetting that Rule 9 (narrow channels) overrides crossing rules in narrow channels
- ✗Not knowing the masthead light arc (225°) vs sidelight arc (112.5°) vs sternlight arc (135°)
- ✗Mixing up shapes: ball-diamond-ball (restricted ability to maneuver) vs two balls (not under command)
- ✗Assuming give-way/stand-on applies in restricted visibility — it doesn't (Rule 19)
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