When do you need a boating licence?

When do you actually need a boating license? You may be wondering, just when you want to rent a boat with your friends. Much more fun to be on the water, of course, than on a crowded campsite during corona.

You just want to get on the water as soon as possible. Very understandable! A boating license is not required for all boats. So let's start with what you do need a boating license for in the Netherlands.

To find out what kind of boating license you need in other European countries, we have made a boating license overview especially for you.

Where do you need a boating license?

A license is required in boat in Friesland, you can do so without a license.

What do you not need a license for?

For so-called pleasure craft, you boating license in the Netherlands. This category includes just about anything that can travel on water, including canoes, suppers, jet skis, motorboats and sailing boats that cannot go faster than 20 km per hour and are less than 15 meters long (so less than fifty feet). However, it is helpful for yourself and others to know at least the basic rules on the water to avoid accidents.

With a smaller yacht (< 15 meters) that cannot go faster than 20 km per hour, you do not need a license on the rivers, canals or lakes. On the larger inland waterways in the Netherlands and for entering seaports, you do need a small sailing license 2. No matter how long or fast your boat is.

Not sure why a boating license is useful? Then read below what exactly the license is made of. Namely: the small boat license 1 and 2 and the large pleasure boat license.

Small Commercial License

Limited permit 1

The small sailing license consists of part 1 and 2, where part 2 is an addition. The small permit 1 allows you to sail on most inland waterways and in most cases you will manage fine. Like on the canals, rivers and lakes in the Netherlands. Klein Vaarbewijs 1 covers all boats up to 25 meters in length.

Small sailing license 2

The small boat permit 2 can be obtained in addition to this so that you can also sail on larger waters such as the IJsselmeeror Markermeer, Wadden Sea, Wester- or Oosterschelde, Eems and the Dollard. You need this license because of the required knowledge of navigation, course keeping, tides and certain nautical instruments.

Also, we recommend that you get your small sailing license 1 before you start with part 2 to make it not too difficult for yourself.

With this license you can also sail internationally. You get an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) with it. This is often required abroad if you want to rent a boat and is equivalent to Part 2.

If you get your license, it will be valid for the rest of your life. So anyway, a good investment that will give you a lot of freedom and beautiful moments.

Large Pleasure Boating License

A large pleasure boating license is only needed when you want to sail a ship or sailing yacht of 25 meters or more that is not larger than 40 meters. This allows you to sail on all inland waters in the Netherlands.

Obtaining a sailing license

Since 2020 you can . (At least if it works, because it is often down).

After you have passed your boating license with flying colors, we want to remind you that practical experience is very important. On the water is where you will really learn and why you got your license in the first place.

If you got your boating license before July 1, 2014, check here how you can renew it indefinitely.
 

So, now enjoy the water with your friends or family.