๐ŸŽฃ OUPV ยท Six-Pack Captain's License

Pass the OUPV Exam.
Carry 6 Passengers for Hire.

The OUPV (Six-Pack) is the most popular USCG captain's license โ€” and the fastest path to running your own charter. 4 exam sections, AI-powered prep, and a readiness score that tells you when you're ready.

No account required. No credit card. Try real OUPV questions right now.

4
Exam Sections
160
Total Questions
90%
Rules of Road Pass Threshold
$497
One-Time Price

What is the OUPV license?

What you can do

โœ“Carry up to 6 paying passengers
โœ“Operate uninspected passenger vessels
โœ“Charter fishing, water taxis, eco-tours
โœ“Sailing charters (with Sailing Endorsement)
โœ“Inland waters and near-coastal (up to 100 NM offshore)

Requirements before you apply

โ†’360 days of sea time (90 in past 3 years)
โ†’USCG medical physical (DOT physical)
โ†’Drug test from a certified collector
โ†’CPR/first aid certification
โ†’Background check (Transportation Worker ID)
โ†’Pass all 4 exam sections at an REC

The OUPV exam โ€” section by section

Four sections. You must pass each one individually. Here's exactly what's on each and what our platform covers.

Rules of the Road

Answered from memory โ€” no notes allowed. COLREGS and Inland Rules.

50 Q
90% to pass
ยทRight-of-way hierarchy (stand-on vs give-way)
ยทNavigation lights โ€” arcs, colors, vessel types
ยทSound signals โ€” fog, meeting, crossing, overtaking
ยทInland vs International differences
ยทRestricted visibility rules (Rule 19)
ยทTraffic Separation Schemes (Rule 10)

Deck General & Safety

Fire, safety equipment, pollution, and vessel operations.

50 Q
70% to pass
ยทFire classes A, B, C, D and extinguisher types
ยทPFD types and required use
ยทEPIRB, SART, and distress signals
ยทVisual distress signals (VDS)
ยทStability basics: GM and free surface effect
ยทMARPOL oil discharge rules and 15 ppm separator

Navigation General

Compass, tides, weather, lights, and piloting concepts.

50 Q
70% to pass
ยทCompass variation, deviation, and TVMDC
ยทTides and tidal currents โ€” Rule of Twelfths
ยทMarine weather: barometer, fronts, Beaufort scale
ยทBuoy system: IALA-B lateral and non-lateral marks
ยทLight characteristics: phase, period, range
ยทAnchoring: scope, holding ground, dragging

Chart Plotting

Hands-on with parallel rules and dividers. Open-book โ€” use chart tools.

10 Q
90% to pass
ยทTVMDC conversion and magnetic course
ยทDead reckoning: plot course and estimate position
ยทRunning fix and advancing an LOP
ยทSet and drift: current triangle
ยทDepth under keel from chart soundings
ยทDistance, speed, time calculations

How our OUPV prep works

From your first free question to exam day โ€” here's exactly what happens.

๐ŸŽฏ

Try 10 free questions โ€” right now

No account. No credit card. Open the app and see real OUPV exam questions immediately. Feel the difficulty before you commit to anything.

๐Ÿง 

AI maps your knowledge gaps

Every question โ€” right or wrong โ€” is explained in depth. The AI builds a knowledge map across all 4 sections: where you're strong, where you're weak, and what to study next.

๐Ÿ“š

Follow your personalized study plan

398 lessons, 866 flashcards with spaced repetition, and targeted drills โ€” organized by your weak spots. 30โ€“60 minutes per day is enough.

๐Ÿ“Š

Track your readiness score

Your dashboard shows a live readiness score for all 4 sections. When you hit passing thresholds across the board, you'll know it's time to book the exam.

๐ŸŽ“

Simulate the real exam

160-question practice exam matching the USCG format. 4 sections, timed, scored against the real thresholds. Retake as many times as you need.

OUPV pricing

One-time purchase. 12 months full access. No subscription.

๐ŸŽฃ

OUPV (Six-Pack)

$497

All 4 exam sections. Full platform access.

โœ“1,628+ OUPV practice questions
โœ“AI-powered study plan
โœ“866 spaced repetition flashcards
โœ“398 structured lessons
โœ“Full exam simulator
โœ“Chart plotting worksheets + PDF
โœ“12 months full access
โœ“Pass guarantee
Get OUPV Prep โ€” $497
Best Value
๐Ÿ‘จโ€โœˆ๏ธ

Captain's Complete

$797

All 4 licenses. Save $494 vs buying separately.

โœ“Everything in OUPV
โœ“Master 100 GRT content unlocked
โœ“Sailing Endorsement content
โœ“Towing Endorsement content
โœ“All 8 exam sections
โœ“Upgrade to Master any time
โœ“12 months full access
โœ“Pass guarantee
Get Captain's Complete โ€” $797

Pass guarantee: if your 12-month access expires before you pass, we extend it at no charge.

OUPV FAQ

What is an OUPV license and what can I do with it?

OUPV stands for Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels โ€” commonly called the Six-Pack license because it allows you to carry up to 6 passengers for hire. You can operate charter fishing boats, water taxis, eco-tours, sailing charters, and other for-hire vessels on inland waters and up to 100 nautical miles offshore (with the appropriate near coastal endorsement).

What sea time do I need before applying?

360 days of sea time total, with at least 90 days in the past 3 years. At least 90 days must be on ocean or near-coastal waters if you want the near-coastal endorsement. A "day" is at least 4 hours underway โ€” it does not need to be consecutive.

Do I need to take a classroom course?

No. The USCG allows you to take the exam at any Regional Exam Center without completing an approved course. Classroom courses charge $500โ€“$1,600 in tuition plus travel and lodging, and require a week away from work. You earn the same USCG credential either way โ€” same exam, same license.

What does the exam actually look like?

Four sections taken on a computer at a USCG Regional Exam Center. Rules of the Road is 50 questions (90% to pass, from memory). The other three sections are 50, 50, and 10 questions respectively, each requiring 70% or 90%. You must pass each section individually. Sections can be retaken if you fail one.

How long does it take to study?

Most students are exam-ready in 4โ€“8 weeks with 30โ€“60 minutes of study per day. Rules of the Road typically takes the longest because it requires 90% and must be answered from memory โ€” no chart tools allowed. Our readiness score tells you exactly when you're prepared.

Can I upgrade to Master 100 GRT later?

Yes. If you earn your OUPV and later want to carry more than 6 passengers or operate inspected vessels, you can take the additional Master exam sections. Our platform lets you unlock Master content at any time.

What if I don't pass?

Keep studying. Unlimited practice, no retake limits, no additional fees. If your 12-month access expires before you pass, contact us โ€” we extend it at no charge.

โš“

Maritime Moment

A free weekday email teaching one fascinating maritime rule โ€” with exam tips and practice questions. Master the captain's license exam 5 minutes at a time.

Free foreverWeekdays onlyUnsubscribe anytime

Ready to start?

Try 10 real OUPV exam questions right now โ€” no account, no credit card. See the format, feel the difficulty, and know what you're up against.

Start Studying Free

Get notified when we add new content and features: