Sailing without a boating license, all the rules in one list!

In the Netherlands, you can sail without a boating license on boats that are smaller than 15 meters and cannot go faster than 20 kilometers per hour. The number of horsepower of the engines is not taken into account. It’s about the speed over the ground.

When can I sail without a boating license?

In recreational boating, we have the Small Boating License I and II. With a boating license, you can sail on boats between 15 and 25 meters and on boats, jet skis, and personal watercraft that can go faster than 20 kilometers per hour. Boating License I is for sailing on canals, rivers, and lakes. Boating License II is for larger bodies of water such as the IJsselmeer, the Wadden Sea, and the Western Scheldt.

Without a boating license, you can sail on boats up to 15 meters at a speed of up to 20 kilometers per hour.

How do I obtain my boating license?

You can obtain your boating license at the CBR; you must be at least 18 years old and fill out a medical health declaration. The exam for Boating License I consists of questions from the legal regulations, the handling of propulsion devices, knowledge of navigable waters and meteorology, and sailing and maneuvering under special circumstances. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. You must answer about 70% correctly to pass. The exam for Boating License I costs €45.35. The card itself costs €10.80.

An example question for the small boating license I:

A small ship is moored as depicted in the drawing. The loop of the red line is secured to a cleat on the starboard aft, and the red line is led behind a pole on the shore. The line is not secured to that pole but runs to a cleat on the starboard side on the foredeck. There, the line is secured to that cleat. Additionally, the blue line is laid out from the bow across a cleat on the shore. See the picture. What is correct?

A. The ship can move forward and backward. And the bow is not held properly against the shore. Therefore, the ship is not moored correctly.

B. The ship can move forward and backward. And the stern is not held properly against the shore. Therefore, the ship is not moored correctly.

C. The ship cannot move freely forward and backward. But the stern is not held properly against the shore. Therefore, the ship is not moored correctly.

D. The ship cannot move freely forward or backward. The bow and the stern are held well against the shore. The ship is moored correctly.

The correct answer is answer B

Small Boating License II

The small boating license II is aimed at sailing on larger waters. For this exam, you will receive questions about the Shipping Regulations of the Western Scheldt, the Shipping Regulations of the Eems Estuary, the BPR, and the regulations for the Canal from Ghent to Terneuzen. Additionally, you will receive navigation questions, need to be able to determine a course, be familiar with the IALA-A and Signi buoyage system, and understand the principles of meteorology. The exam for the small boating license II consists of 23 multiple-choice questions and 4 open questions. You pass if you answer 70% or more of the questions correctly. For this exam, you need a course plotter, parallel ruler, or protractor, and a ship’s caliper.

An example question for the small boating license II:

A. 3 Bft

B. 5 Bft

C. 7 Bft

You are sailing on the Markermeer between Marken and Enkhuizen. White caps are forming due to the wind. What is the wind force according to the Beaufort scale?

The correct answer is answer B, The description of wind force 5 on land and for people is: Dust blowing, annoying for the eyes, crested waves on lakes and canals, and garbage bins blowing over.

How high are the fines for sailing without a boating license?

If you sail without a boating license, you can receive a ticket. Fines on the water have significantly increased in recent years. Sailing on a fast boat without a boating license can cost you around 600 euros.

Can you sail on the boats of Varen met Sil without a boating license?

You can sail on all boats from Varen met Sil without a boating license. The boats cannot go 20 kilometers per hour and are also not 15 meters long. Want to go on a sailing holiday, sail the Elfstedentocht, or spend a day on the Lauwersmeer? No problem. We are happy to provide you with a short sailing lesson and some explanations.

Which of our classic boats will you take on your sailing adventure?

Book your sailing holiday now!