Under the COLREGS, who may adopt traffic separation schemes for the purpose of the Rules?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 1 (General)
Victoria Marine Licence Test · Collisions
Victoria Marine Licence Test Practice Questions: Collision Rules (2026)
The collision questions on the Victoria marine licence test come from the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), the steering and sailing rules that apply on Victorian waters. The pattern to learn is simple: in a crossing between two power-driven vessels, the one that has the other on her own starboard side gives way (Rule 15); head-on, both alter course to starboard and pass port to port (Rule 14); and any vessel overtaking another keeps out of the way until finally past and clear (Rule 13). Underneath those sit the rules on look-out, safe speed and risk of collision that apply in any visibility.
Practice
Free practice questions
When a Government determines that a vessel of special construction or purpose cannot fully comply with the Rules regarding the number, position, range or arc of visibility of its lights, what standard must that vessel meet instead?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 1 (General)
Does compliance with the COLREGS excuse a vessel or her crew from the consequences of neglecting a precaution required by the ordinary practice of seamen?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 2 (Responsibility)
Under the Rule on Responsibility, when may a departure from the Rules be made?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 2 (Responsibility)
According to the COLREGS definitions, which of the following is included in the term 'vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver'?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 3 (Definitions)
What does the COLREGS term 'vessel constrained by her draft' mean?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 3 (Definitions)
Which of the following is listed in the COLREGS as a type of vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 3 (Definitions)
Under the COLREGS, what does the word 'underway' mean?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 3 (Definitions)
When are two vessels deemed to be 'in sight of one another' under the COLREGS?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 3 (Definitions)
Which of the following conditions falls within the COLREGS definition of 'restricted visibility'?
Based on: COLREGS Rule 3 (Definitions)
The three encounters and who acts
A vessel is overtaking when she comes up on another from more than 22.5 degrees abaft its beam (Rule 13); if in doubt, she must assume she is overtaking, and a later change of bearing never converts her into a crossing vessel. A head-on situation exists when you see the other vessel ahead or nearly ahead, by night with her masthead lights in a line or both sidelights visible; in doubt, assume it exists (Rule 14). In a crossing, the give-way vessel should also avoid crossing ahead of the other if circumstances admit (Rule 15). The give-way vessel must take early and substantial action to keep well clear (Rule 16), while the stand-on vessel keeps her course and speed (Rule 17). The stand-on vessel may act as soon as it is apparent the give-way vessel is not complying, and must act when collision can no longer be avoided by the give-way vessel alone; none of this relieves the give-way vessel of her duty.
Look-out, safe speed and deciding whether risk exists
Rule 5 requires a proper look-out by sight and hearing, and all other available means, at all times. Rule 6 requires a safe speed at which you can take effective avoiding action and stop within a distance appropriate to the conditions, weighing factors such as visibility, traffic density, your vessel's manoeuvrability, background shore light at night and draft relative to depth. Rule 7 settles doubt in one direction: if there is any doubt whether risk of collision exists, it is deemed to exist, and an approaching vessel whose compass bearing does not appreciably change is deemed a collision risk. Avoiding action under Rule 8 must be positive, made in ample time and large enough to be readily apparent to the other vessel; avoid a succession of small alterations, and check the result until the other vessel is finally past and clear. In restricted visibility Rule 19 takes over: engines ready for immediate manoeuvre, and if you hear a fog signal apparently forward of your beam, reduce to the minimum speed at which you can hold your course.
Power versus sail, and the Rule 18 hierarchy
Rule 18 sets the pecking order between vessel types. A power-driven vessel underway keeps out of the way of a vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, a vessel engaged in fishing, and a sailing vessel. A sailing vessel in turn keeps clear of the first three, and a fishing vessel, so far as possible, keeps clear of the first two. Between two sailing vessels Rule 12 applies: with the wind on different sides, the vessel with the wind on her port side gives way; with the wind on the same side, the windward vessel keeps clear of the leeward one, the windward side being opposite the side the mainsail is carried on.
| Situation | Who gives way | COLREGS rule |
|---|---|---|
| Two power-driven vessels head-on | Both alter to starboard, pass port to port | Rule 14 |
| Two power-driven vessels crossing | The vessel with the other on her starboard side | Rule 15 |
| One vessel overtaking another | The overtaking vessel, until finally past and clear | Rule 13 |
| Two sailing vessels, wind on different sides | The vessel with the wind on her port side | Rule 12(a)(i) |
| Two sailing vessels, wind on the same side | The windward vessel | Rule 12(a)(ii) |
| Power-driven vessel meets sailing vessel | The power-driven vessel | Rule 18(a) |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who gives way when two power boats cross in Victoria?
The vessel that has the other on her own starboard side. Under COLREGS Rule 15, applied on Victorian waters, that vessel must keep out of the way and, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel. The give-way vessel must act early and substantially (Rule 16), while the other keeps her course and speed (Rule 17).
What should two power boats meeting head-on do?
Each alters her course to starboard so they pass port side to port side, as COLREGS Rule 14 requires when two power-driven vessels meet on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses with risk of collision. If a skipper on Victorian waters is in any doubt whether a head-on situation exists, Rule 14(c) says to assume it does and act accordingly.
Does a powerboat always give way to a sailing boat?
Not always. COLREGS Rule 18(a) requires a power-driven vessel underway to keep out of the way of a sailing vessel, but the overtaking rule sits above it: under Rule 13 any vessel overtaking another keeps clear, so a sailing vessel overtaking a powerboat on Victorian waters is the give-way vessel until finally past and clear.
How do I know if a risk of collision exists?
Use all available means appropriate to the conditions, and if there is any doubt, COLREGS Rule 7 deems the risk to exist. The classic sign the Victoria test examines is a steady bearing: if the compass bearing of an approaching vessel does not appreciably change, risk of collision is deemed to exist. Rule 7 also warns against acting on scanty information, especially scanty radar information.
What must the stand-on vessel do in Victoria?
Keep her course and speed, under COLREGS Rule 17. She may take action herself as soon as it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not acting as the Rules require, and she must take whatever action will best aid to avoid collision once the give-way vessel's action alone can no longer prevent it. In a crossing, she should avoid altering to port for a vessel on her own port side.
Which sailing boat gives way to another sailing boat?
Under COLREGS Rule 12, when each has the wind on a different side, the vessel with the wind on the port side keeps out of the way. When both have the wind on the same side, the windward vessel gives way to the leeward one. The windward side is the side opposite to that on which the mainsail is carried, and if you cannot tell which tack the other boat is on, you give way.