# NavRules

> Learn and test nautical navigation rules with customizable practice exams. (iPhone/iPad app by Mintaka Innovations.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navrules/id423125556 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Mintaka Innovations](https://appshunter.io/developer/1207417949)
- Category: Navigation, Education
- Price: $15.99
- Rating: 3.80/5 from 18 App Store ratings · 25 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 17 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-03-07
- Data updated: 2026-09-05
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navrules/id423125556/reviews.md

## What is NavRules?

The best way to learn the Nautical Rules of the Road.

NavRules provides all the questions, answers, explanations and resources to help you master the Nautical Rules of the road.  For all mariners, from kayakers to ship captains.

Product Description:

Based on the International and US Inland Navigation Rules along with the published edition of the USCG database of license exam questions, this App helps you master the Navigation Rules using a practice exam driven methodology.

Using NavRules you generate practice exams where you:
• control the number of questions,
• control the scope of the questions (international vs inland),
• specify a filter (a text string that must appear in the question),
• specify the rule the questions pertain to,
• identify whether the question has been previously answered or not, or answered incorrectly or not.
This gives you control over the tests that are generated so you can focus your learning experience.

After taking an exam you can review the results to see:
• which questions were answered correctly,
• for incorrect answers the correct answer,
• the rule the question pertains to so you can understand the context of the question.

Every practice exam you take tracks your results relative the the Navigation Rules Question Pool.  By browsing the Question Pool you can see your progress on understanding each rule.

For each rule NavRules reposts:
• your coverage (number of questions you have answered) and,
• your proficiency (the percentage of questions you have answered correctly).

If you want to study a rule you can link directly to the questions related to that rule and choose the answers.  In this "review" mode you get immediate feedback on whether your answer is correct (but these results are not recorded and do not impact your rule coverage or proficiency).

The Flash Card mode lets you see all the diagrams used in the tests and from each of them see the questions that reference that diagram.

The included Rule Book provides:
• index to US Inland, International and Canadian Rules,
• link to all illustrations used in the Navigation Rules,
• link to all vessel lights by vessel type,
• definitions,
• demarcation lines,
• special terminology,
• distress signals
• references.

Other features include:
• over 1200 answered and referenced questions on the Navigation Rules,
• complete copy of the Navigation Rules,
• custom design your practice tests by number, filter, and type so you can focus on what you need to learn,
• rules are clearly identified as Inland and International or both,
• all practice tests results are stored until manually deleted,
• Canadian Modifications to the Navigation Rules.

## Key features

- Customizable practice exams
- International and US Inland rules
- Question filtering by text or rule
- Progress tracking by rule
- Flash card mode with diagrams
- Integrated Rule Book
- Over 1200 questions

## Chart rankings

- #10 in Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 25)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navrules/id423125556/reviews.md

### 1/5 — App is clunky

*2026-08-16*

This thing is poorly built. Tests don’t tell you the answer until completed. Some study guide shows that you answer and when you want to see if you got it right they just give you book chapters to read with no results.

### 1/5 — This $16 app asks questions about a picture, and doesn’t show the picture.

*2025-04-28*

The title really says it all.  Over all its design and layout is fine.  But I didn’t buy it to look pretty.  I bought it to pass a test.  Not all questions refer to a picture but when it does the app does not display it. I can’t use it and will be asking for a refund.

### 4/5 — Is this still being updated?

*2024-01-16*

Same as title

### 3/5 — Not worth $14.99

*2021-09-03, version 2.7*

This app is ok if it were free but at $14.99 it’s littered with wrong answers and bugs. For example it changes answers. I thought I was losing my mind as I went over my completed graded tests and I was getting questions wrong I absolutely knew the answers to so I started to write all my answers down too. This proved my point. 2 to as many as 7 answers changes per test.

### 1/5 — Don’t waste your money.

*2021-07-15*

Doesn’t show pictures when asking questions about lights or day shapes. There is 0 context. Want a refund.

### 4/5 — Very good but needs improvement

*2018-09-17*

Very good and useful app to study for dwo but there’s about more than a handful of questions that the answer wrong. It needs to be fixed

### 5/5 — Navy!!

*2018-08-16*

So helpful for all members of the bridge team.

### 4/5 — App is great but theres a fatal error

*2018-07-11*

When attempting to delete prior test records the app crashes. I can’t figure out how to report this to the developer

### 5/5 — There is no substitute!  Best tool for studying ROTR!

*2015-05-04, version 2.5.1*

I am a US Navy Captain Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) who continues to expand my knowledge as a professional mariner with this and other tools from the pros at Starpath.  This intuitive product is easy to use and fully up to date with the latest version of the new Nav Rules and Regulations Handbook (supercedes COMDTINST M16672.2D).  A couple of features that are invaluable: the "filter" function lets you filter out portions of the test bank by keyword, e.g., if your course won't test you on Western Rivers, you can filter sample questions for the word "western".  Also, after taking several practice tests over time, you can filter the next test to only give you questions that you missed on previous attempts.  I had one question in which I thought the test database was incorrect.  I used the "helpdesk" email and received a response from the head of Starpath, Dr. Burch himself, who tactfully showed me that the error was mine, pointing me to the specific page in the new rule book where i had overlooked the answer!  The full app is a great resource for any Navy or Merchant Mariner to keep up the critical skills that are fundamental to our professions.  BZ to Starpath!

### 2/5 — Not worth it

*2015-03-03*

Get the Upgrade App rather than this one. Upgrade is laid out more like an exam and has less incorrect answers. This is also only the rules of the the road as other apps have all sections to take.

## Frequently asked questions about NavRules

### What nautical rules does NavRules cover?

NavRules covers the International and US Inland Navigation Rules, including Canadian Modifications. It also includes a complete copy of the Navigation Rules and an index to them.

### How does NavRules help me study?

NavRules offers practice exams where you control the number, scope, and filters of questions. It also features a Flash Card mode and allows direct linking to questions for specific rules.

### Can I track my progress with NavRules?

Yes, every practice exam tracks your results. You can see your coverage and proficiency for each rule by browsing the Question Pool.

### What is the price of NavRules?

NavRules is a paid application priced at $15.99. There are no in-app purchases or ads.

### What devices support NavRules?

NavRules is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is suitable for users aged 4 and up.

### How often is NavRules updated?

The latest version, 2.7, was released on January 7, 2019. While updates have not been frequent recently, the core content remains relevant for learning navigation rules.

### Does NavRules offer offline access?

The description does not explicitly state offline access, but its focus on practice exams and a rule book suggests it is designed for study without constant internet connection.

### What do users like about NavRules?

Users appreciate the ability to customize practice tests and focus their learning. The comprehensive rule book and progress tracking are also highlighted as beneficial features.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.7 — 2019-01-07

This version includes a large number of improvements and fixes.
- Update to the US Inland Navigation rules to incorporate recent changes.
- Update to some of the questions that had answer changes due to the Inland Navigation rule changes.
- Many cosmetic improvements to layout for some of the new devices.
- Fixed an issue where deleting a test could cause NavRules to crash.
- Fixed an issue where sometimes the contents of the Filter field in New Tests was being ignored.
- Fixed an issue where some questions couldn't access diagrams.
- Fixed an issue where on some devices the Flash Cards where truncated at the bottom.

Thank you all for your feedback on the NavRules and if you have any questions or comments let us know.

Enjoy!

### 2.6.1 — 2017-04-05

Changes to the release include:
- New feature allows you fine grained control over International/Inland questions to be included in practice exams.
- Improvements in display of questions and answers,
- Review of the question pool with a few corrections.  If you think an answer is incorrect contact us, in some cases the wording of the question is tricky. 
- The Rule Book, the included version of the Navigation Rules has been updated to incorporate all published changes.

### 2.5.1 — 2014-04-10

Improves support for iOS 7, updated USCG Navigation Rules to latest (July, 2013) corrections, including Demarcation Line changes, and added questions on Wing in Ground vessels.

### 2.5.0 — 2014-04-01

Improves support for iOS 7, updated USCG Navigation Rules to latest (July, 2013) corrections, including Demarcation Line changes, and added questions on Wing in Ground vessels.

### 2.0.0 — 2011-08-30

New with this version:

• Universal App, supports iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch
• Complete rework of the UI for the iPad
• New Tests allows you to filter by rules (see below).
• Several minor bug fixes

New Test Creation

This powerful new features allows you two specify which part, section or rule of the Navigation Rules you would like your test to cover.

This helps you focus your training as well as investigate the emphasis given certain subjects.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*