Inland waterways option boat license
A Pleasure Craft Licence, Inland Waters Option, is required to operate a motorized pleasure craft with a motive power greater than 4.5 kilowatts (6 hp), on a river, lake or canal. The maximum length of the boat must be less than 20 meters. The extension for inland waters is then mandatory.
It is also mandatory to drive a VNM (Nautical Marine Vehicle) or a sailboat of less than 20 meters equipped with a motor, of a power higher than 6 horses, in inland waters.
To take the inland waterways boating license, you must be at least 16 years old.
Register for the exam
The conditions for withdrawing the registration file are the same as for the coastal option boating license. It must be collected either from the chosen training establishment or directly from the instructing services.
The file must contain the same documents, except for the cerfa form which is different and must be the n° 14681*01. The other expected documents are a color passport photo, two tax stamps worth 38 euros (registration for the exam) and 70 euros (issuance of the license), a photocopy of an identity document and a certificate of physical fitness (cerfa n° 14673*01)
Please note: The candidate who already has the coastal option boating license is exempt from the fiscal stamp allowing the issuance of the license.
Preparing for the exam
The exam consists of two parts, one theoretical and one practical. The latter must be prepared in an accredited training institution whose trainers are licensed to teach.
Upon registration, the boater receives a training booklet with a personal identification number. The training objectives are specified and the certificate of achievement is included. It is a provisional driving licence valid for one month, while waiting for the final licence.
The program
The boating license, inland waterways option, covers general and administrative knowledge of inland navigation, sound and visual signals, rules of marking, equipment, safety, prevention...
The examination
The test takes place in the same way as the coastal option boating license, i.e., in a theoretical and practical manner. The theoretical part consists of a multiple choice test of 30 questions and the candidate must make a maximum of 5 mistakes to obtain it. The theoretical part is valid for 18 months.
The practical part is common to both options (coastal and inland waters) and is based on a specific program, detailed in the training booklet. It lasts at least 3h30 and must be validated by the training establishment.
The permit can be obtained from the prefect of the department in which the department responsible for processing the permit application has its headquarters, upon presentation of supporting documents.
