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Coastal boating license
The coastal option of the pleasure boat license is required to drive a pleasure motorboat with a motive power of more than 4.5 kilowatts (over 6 horsepower), up to 6 miles from a shelter, on enclosed waters, lakes or at sea.
To pass, several conditions must be met: the yachtsman must be at least 16 years old and medically fit, the training center must be approved and the instructor must hold an authorization issued by the authorities.
As a reminder, a license is not required to ski a sailboat.
Register for the exam
Candidates for the Pleasure Craft Licence must complete a registration file consisting of the form cerfa n° 14681 application form, a color passport photo, a ?38 tax stamp (exam registration fee) and a ?70 tax stamp (issue of license), a photocopy of your identity document and a certificate of physical fitness, form cerfa n° 14673 less than 6 months old.
Preparing for the exam
The boating license consists of a theoretical part and a practical part. The latter must take place in an approved training center, with instructors holding a teaching authorization issued by the authorities.
On registration, the yachtsman receives a training booklet with a personal identification number, which includes the training objectives and the certificate of achievement. This serves as a provisional title valid for 1 month, until the final license is issued.
Theoretical training takes place in the presence of the trainer and lasts a minimum of 5 hours. Practical training is common to both options (coastal and inland waters) and can begin before the theoretical part is completed. Practical skills are certified by the training center after an individual apprenticeship lasting a compulsory minimum of 3 hours 30 minutes, including 2 hours at the helm.
The training program
The aim of the coastal boating license is to learn how to drive a boat (start the engine, follow a course, navigate safely, stop, reverse, choose an anchorage, drop anchor...), to understand the responsibilities of the boater (means of distress, obligations of the boat's skipper...) and to learn how to master all the equipment and elements involved in navigation. You'll need to know about beacons, signals, ship's lights, sound signals, navigation rules, nautical charts...
The aim is to ensure personal and collective safety on board, but also to understand the importance of means of communication. The sailor will also be able to detect when to go out at sea, depending on the weather, and recognize the markings.
Examination
The coastal option boating license is divided into two parts, one theoretical and one practical. For the theory part, the boater must answer a 30-question multiple-choice test. You must make no more than 5 mistakes to pass the theory part. Once obtained, the theoretical part is valid for 18 months (before obtaining the practical part).
The practical part is common to both coastal and inland waterway options. The program is detailed in the training booklet, and the test lasts a minimum of 3 h 30. It must be validated by the training establishment.
The permit can be obtained from the prefect of the département in which the department responsible for processing the permit application has its headquarters, on presentation of supporting documents.
