IALACOLREG
View your progress

CEVNI practice test: 40 study questions

These 40 original study questions help you revise inland navigation; they are not an official examination paper.

Reviewed by Ramon Curto, Nautical teacher at IECNPC · Last reviewed:

Summary for study, based on CEVNI Revision 6 (ECE/TRANS/SC.3/115/Rev.6); national police regulations (e.g. Rhine RheinSchPV/RPR, Danube DFND) may differ.

Worked example

12

At a B.6 board showing 12, your maximum speed relative to the bank is 12 km/h. At a constant 12 km/h, 1 km takes 5 minutes; current changes the engine setting you need.

1 km ÷ 12 km/h × 60 = 5 min

  1. 1.What does sign A.1 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    No entry

    A.1: No entry. Annex 7 family: Prohibitory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  2. 2.What does sign A.2 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    No overtaking

    A.2: No overtaking. Annex 7 family: Prohibitory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  3. 3.What does sign A.4 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    No meeting or overtaking

    A.4: No meeting or overtaking. Annex 7 family: Prohibitory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  4. 4.What does sign A.5 mean?

    P
    Answer and explanation

    No berthing on this side

    A.5: No berthing on this side. Annex 7 family: Prohibitory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  5. 5.What does sign A.6 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    No anchoring or dragging anchors, cables or chains on this side

    A.6: No anchoring or dragging anchors, cables or chains on this side. Annex 7 family: Prohibitory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  6. 6.What does sign A.7 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    No making fast to this bank

    A.7: No making fast to this bank. Annex 7 family: Prohibitory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  7. 7.What does sign A.8 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    No turning

    A.8: No turning. Annex 7 family: Prohibitory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  8. 8.What does sign A.9 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Avoid wash and suction

    A.9: Avoid wash and suction. Annex 7 family: Prohibitory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  9. 9.What does sign A.12 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    No motor vessels

    A.12: No motor vessels. Annex 7 family: Prohibitory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  10. 10.What does sign A.15 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    No sailing vessels

    A.15: No sailing vessels. Annex 7 family: Prohibitory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  11. 11.What does sign B.1 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Proceed in the arrow’s direction

    B.1: Proceed in the arrow’s direction. Annex 7 family: Mandatory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  12. 12.What does sign B.5 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Stop as required by the regulations

    B.5: Stop as required by the regulations. Annex 7 family: Mandatory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  13. 13.What does sign B.6 mean?

    12
    Answer and explanation

    Do not exceed 12 km/h relative to the bank

    B.6: Do not exceed 12 km/h relative to the bank. Annex 7 family: Mandatory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  14. 14.What does sign B.7 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Give a sound signal

    B.7: Give a sound signal. Annex 7 family: Mandatory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  15. 15.What does sign B.8 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Exercise particular caution

    B.8: Exercise particular caution. Annex 7 family: Mandatory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  16. 16.What does sign B.11 mean?

    VHF
    Answer and explanation

    Use VHF radiotelephony

    B.11: Use VHF radiotelephony. Annex 7 family: Mandatory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  17. 17.What does sign C.1 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Limited water depth

    C.1: Limited water depth. Annex 7 family: Restrictive. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  18. 18.What does sign C.2 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Limited headroom

    C.2: Limited headroom. Annex 7 family: Restrictive. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  19. 19.What does sign C.3 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Limited channel or passage width

    C.3: Limited channel or passage width. Annex 7 family: Restrictive. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  20. 20.What does sign C.4 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Restrictions: read the supplementary board

    C.4: Restrictions: read the supplementary board. Annex 7 family: Restrictive. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  21. 21.What does sign C.5 mean?

    40
    Answer and explanation

    Keep 40 m away from the board

    C.5: Keep 40 m away from the board. Annex 7 family: Restrictive. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  22. 22.What does sign D.1 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Recommended passage: traffic in both directions

    D.1: Recommended passage: traffic in both directions. Annex 7 family: Recommendatory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  23. 23.What does sign D.2 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Keep within the indicated space

    D.2: Keep within the indicated space. Annex 7 family: Recommendatory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  24. 24.What does sign D.3 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Proceed in the recommended direction

    D.3: Proceed in the recommended direction. Annex 7 family: Recommendatory. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  25. 25.What does sign E.1 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Entry permitted

    E.1: Entry permitted. Annex 7 family: Informative. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  26. 26.What does sign E.5 mean?

    P
    Answer and explanation

    Berthing permitted on this side

    E.5: Berthing permitted on this side. Annex 7 family: Informative. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  27. 27.What does sign E.6 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Anchoring permitted on this side

    E.6: Anchoring permitted on this side. Annex 7 family: Informative. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  28. 28.What does sign E.7 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Making fast to this bank permitted

    E.7: Making fast to this bank permitted. Annex 7 family: Informative. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  29. 29.What does sign E.11 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    End of a prohibition, obligation or restriction

    E.11: End of a prohibition, obligation or restriction. Annex 7 family: Informative. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  30. 30.What does sign E.15 mean?

    Answer and explanation

    Motor vessels permitted

    E.15: Motor vessels permitted. Annex 7 family: Informative. Read supplementary boards and local instructions as well.

  31. 31.What does one long blast mean inland?

    Answer and explanation

    Attention

    Annex 6 identifies one long blast as attention, not a course alteration.

  32. 32.What does one short blast mean?

    Answer and explanation

    I am altering course to starboard

    One short blast announces a course alteration to starboard.

  33. 33.What do two short blasts mean?

    Answer and explanation

    I am altering course to port

    Two short blasts announce a course alteration to port.

  34. 34.What do three short blasts mean?

    Answer and explanation

    My engines are working astern

    The signal describes the engines, not necessarily the vessel’s movement over the ground.

  35. 35.What meeting arrangement does a blue board indicate?

    Answer and explanation

    Starboard to starboard

    Read the blue board with the prescribed white flashing light and the applicable meeting rules.

  36. 36.Which stern-light colour is used by an inland towing vessel under the towing rules?

    Answer and explanation

    Yellow

    The towing vessel replaces its ordinary stern light with a yellow stern light under the specified towing arrangement.

  37. 37.What must small craft generally leave other vessels?

    Answer and explanation

    The room needed for their course and manoeuvres

    Small-craft rules do not grant an automatic right of way over larger vessels.

  38. 38.Which rules should you check before navigating the Rhine?

    Answer and explanation

    The applicable Rhine police regulations

    CEVNI is a common foundation; RheinSchPV/RPR contains the applicable Rhine provisions.

  39. 39.At a constant 12 km/h, how long does 1 km take?

    Answer and explanation

    5 minutes

    Time = 1 ÷ 12 hours = 5 minutes. B.6 limits speed relative to the bank; a lower safe speed may be needed.

  40. 40.Does a C.2 warning alone guarantee enough headroom?

    Answer and explanation

    No; check available clearance against your vessel

    C.2 warns that headroom is limited. Water level and the vessel’s air draught determine actual clearance.

How CEVNI works

CEVNI stands for Code européen des voies de la navigation intérieure. UNECE publishes it as a model for harmonising navigation on rivers, canals and lakes. It is not a single law that automatically applies everywhere in Europe. Before you travel, check the rules enacted by the country and the waterway authority, current notices, bridge openings and lock instructions. A familiar sign does not remove that responsibility.

Annex 7 groups signs by function: A prohibits, B requires, C restricts, D recommends and E informs. Learn the symbol and its scope together. A.5 prohibits berthing, including anchoring or making fast, on the side where it stands; A.6 specifically addresses anchoring and dragging anchors, cables or chains. An arrow, distance board or supplementary text can define where the instruction applies. These drawings show selected board variants.

For example, B.6 with the number 12 limits speed relative to the bank to 12 kilometres per hour. Over one kilometre, constant travel at that speed takes five minutes: time equals distance divided by speed. This is a study calculation, not a safe speed recommendation. Reduce speed further when traffic, visibility or wash requires it. C.1 and C.2 warn of limited depth and headroom; check actual available clearances.

Inland signals need their own reading. One long blast means attention; one short blast means altering course to starboard, two to port, and three means engines working astern. A towing vessel can carry a yellow stern light under the inland towing rules. A blue board or flag, with the prescribed white flashing light, indicates a starboard-to-starboard meeting arrangement. Small craft have specific obligations to leave other vessels manoeuvring room; do not apply sea-going sailing priority mechanically.

The Rhine, Danube and Moselle have their own police regulations, including RheinSchPV/RPR, DFND and Moselle rules. Learn their differences before a trip. For an ICC validated for inland waters, CEVNI knowledge is assessed by the issuing body; the RYA administers this assessment in the UK. This guide targets that study need, without claiming a national question count, pass mark or official question bank. Compare COLREG Rules 9, 18, 24 and 34 to understand related sea-going concepts.

Frequently asked questions

Is CEVNI a law for all Europe?

No. CEVNI is a model code; national and river regulations determine the applicable rules.

Which edition is this based on?

Revision 6, document ECE/TRANS/SC.3/115/Rev.6. The UN document viewer is linked below.

Do Rhine and Danube rules differ?

Yes. Check RheinSchPV/RPR, Danube DFND and the rules for your actual route, including the Moselle.

What do the five families mean?

A prohibits, B requires, C restricts, D recommends and E informs. Supplementary boards matter.

What does the blue board mean?

It signals a starboard-to-starboard meeting arrangement with the prescribed white flashing light. Small-craft rules and local requirements still apply.

Is one long blast a turning signal?

No. Inland, one long blast means attention. Course alterations use short blasts.

Does sail always have priority inland?

No. Small craft must leave other vessels the room they need; check the inland rules for the encounter.

Are these official ICC questions?

No. These are original study questions. Your issuing body sets the ICC inland assessment requirements.

Sources