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Inland waterway boating license
You need an inland waterways license to drive a motorized pleasure boat with a motive power of over 4.5 kilowatts (6 hp) on a river, lake or canal. The maximum length of the boat must be less than 20 meters. In this case, you'll need to obtain the "grande plaisance eaux intérieures" extension.
It is also compulsory to drive a VNM (Véhicule Nautique Marin) or a sailboat of less than 20 meters equipped with an engine of more than 6 horsepower, on inland waters.
To qualify for the inland waterways option of the Pleasure Craft Licence, you must be at least 16 years old.
Register for the exam
The conditions for collecting the registration form are the same as for the coastal option of the boating license. It can be obtained either from the chosen training establishment or directly from the instructors.
The file must contain the same documents, except for the cerfa form, which differs and must be no. 14681*01. The other documents required are a color passport photo, two tax stamps worth ?38 (registration for the test) and ?70 (issue of the license), a photocopy of an identity document and a certificate of physical fitness (cerfa no. 14673*01)
Please note: Applicants who already hold a coastal option boating license are exempt from the tax stamp required to obtain the license.
Preparing for the exam
The exam consists of two parts, one theoretical and the other practical. The latter must be prepared in an approved training establishment whose instructors are licensed to teach.
On registration, the yachtsman receives a training booklet with a personal identification number. The booklet specifies the training objectives and includes a certificate of completion. This constitutes a provisional driving licence valid for 1 month, until the final licence is issued.
The program
The inland waterways option of the boating license covers general and administrative knowledge of inland navigation, sound and visual signalling, buoyage rules, equipment, safety, prevention...
Examination
The test is taken in the same way as for the coastal option of the Pleasure Craft License, i.e., both theoretical and practical. The theoretical part consists of a multiple-choice test of 30 questions, with a maximum of 5 mistakes to pass. 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 département in which the department responsible for processing the permit application has its headquarters, on presentation of supporting documents.
