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Apply for a pleasure craft license

Service Description

If you want to operate a recreational or leisure craft on federal waterways, you will need a boating license, which you can usually prove by passing an examination and obtaining a recreational boating license.

A recreational boating license distinguishes between the area of validity of the federal waterway to be navigated, i.e. inland or maritime waterways, and the type of propulsion.

The inland motor pleasure craft license is the official license for operating pleasure craft up to 20 meters in length under motor. It is required for vessels with more than 15 HP for combustion engines and 7.5 HP for electric motors on inland waterways.

The inland pleasure craft sailing license is the official license for sailing pleasure craft up to 20 meters in length under sail. The inland sailing license is proof of practical and theoretical sailing knowledge. The recreational boating license sea is the official driving license for driving recreational boats under motor on maritime waterways. Sailing on maritime waterways does not require a license.

You can apply to take a full or partial examination to obtain a recreational boating license from an examination board of the authorized associations.

Process flow

You can apply online or by post to an examination board of the associations appointed by the BMDV for the issue of a driving license to operate sports and leisure craft on federal waterways.

Online application:

  • Go to the federal portal.
  • Select the application for admission to the examination and application for the (first) issue of a recreational craft license (SBF) in accordance with § 3, § 4 and § 7 SpFV.
  • Complete the application and upload the required files.
  • Send the application digitally.
  • Pay the fee in accordance with the association's instructions.

Postal application:

  • Download the current application form from the association's website:
    • Deutscher Motoryachtverband e. V.
    • German Sailing Association e. V.
  • Fill out the application form.
  • Send the application together with the required documents by post.
  • Pay the fee in accordance with the association's instructions.

Requirements

  • You must prove your physical fitness and reliability.
  • You have passed the relevant examinations.
  • for a pleasure craft license under sail:
    • You are at least 14 years old.
  • for pleasure craft license under propulsion engine:
    • You are at least 16 years old.
  • for applicants who are minors:
    • The parents or legal guardians have given their consent.

Which documents are required?

Important note: If copies are used for the application, the original document must be submitted for inspection on the day of the examination.

  • Application for admission
  • Medical certificate for "Sport boat license applicants"
    • A recreational boating license obtained by examination, which is not older than 1 year at the time of application, replaces the medical certificate.
  • For applicants of legal age: copy of a valid motor vehicle driver's license or a certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority
  • Current passport photo (35 mm x 45 mm, without headgear), submitted digitally

What are the fees?

Fee: 127,79 - 218,21 EUR
Payment in advance: Yes
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bmvi-ws-bgebv/
Further expenses may be incurred in individual cases.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Application Deadline: 1 Week
The required documents must be submitted in full to the examination board at least 1 week before the examination date and the fee paid.

Processing duration

Processing Time: 7 Days
If you register for the test, it will take around 1 week to process your application. Therefore, the application for admission to the test and the issue of the driving license must be submitted in full to the examination board at least 1 week before the test date.

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • Contradiction
    • Further information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification of your application for admission to the examination.
  • Appeal to the competent administrative court

What else should I know?

This application relates exclusively to the initial issue of the recreational craft license and the associated examination for the driving license. Other applications for the transfer or replacement are listed separately.

Further Information

Author

Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV)

Professionally released on

19.07.2024

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

Start your request directly online:

Competent Authority

Deutscher Motoryachtverband e.V. - Führerscheinabteilung

Address
Vinckeufer 12-14
47119 Duisburg, Stadt
Telephone
+49 203 809580
Fax
+49 203 8095856
E-Mail
Contact us
WWW
Website of the German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV)
Opening times

Monday: 09:00 to 14:00
Tuesday: 09:00 to 14:00
Wednesday: 09:00 to 14:00
Thursday: 09:00 to 16:30
Friday: 09:00 to 14:00

Consultations are only possible by prior appointment.

Further Authorities

Deutscher Segler-Verband e.V.
Address
Gründgensstraße 18
22309 Hamburg
Telephone
+49 40 6320090
Fax
+49 40 63200913
E-Mail
Contact us
WWW
Website of the German Sailing Association (DSV)