Do you need a boater’s licence to drive a boat? Just like driving a car requires a driving licence, driving a boat in the UK requires a boat licence, too. But there are some exceptions and what are they? How much is a boat licence UK? How to get a boat licence? In this guide, you will find all the answers.
Do You Need a Licence to Drive a Boat in the UK?
For many new sailors, one of the frequent questions they ask is “Do you have to have licence to drive a boat?” That depends on the type of boat, motor size, and where you want to drive the boat. For instance, if you are sailing a sail boat without a motor, you don’t need any licence. While driving a boat with a motor of more than 10 horsepower requires a boat licence, including speedboats, powerboats, motor yachts, and motorised barges.
Types of UK Boat Licence & Requirements
In the UK, there are two types of boat licences available:
- National boat licences
The national boat licences issued by the UK government have multiple categories, including boat types, boat sizes, waterways, and purposes of use. Such a licence is valid for five years and can be renewed. You need to figure out how big your boat is, where you want to drive the boat, and for what purpose to apply for a specific national boat licence.
- International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
Generally, an ICC is required, if you are driving a boat in the inland waterways of Europe as well as inland and coastal waters of Mediterranean countries. Issued by the Royal Yachting Association, the ICC is valid for five years.
Eligibility for UK Boat Licence
Before applying for a boat licence, check if you meet the boat licence requirements:
To apply for an ICC, you must be at least 16 years old and have evidence of your competence in driving a boat.
To apply for a national boat licence, you must hold a Boat Safety Scheme certificate and boat insurance.
How to Get a Boat Licence in the UK
When you decide on what kind of boat licence to apply for, you may follow the guidelines on the register for a boat licence.
National boat licences
The national boat licence can be applied online and by post. Here is how you can obtain a boat licence:
Online:
Step 1. Access the “Register a boat” section on the UK government’s official website and confirm a part to apply for.
Step 2. Click “Start now” and create an MCA account.
Step 3. Click “Register a vessel”. Finish the application form and upload the documents. Generally, it takes 10 working days to issue you the boat licence.
By post:
Step 1. Download and complete the form for the type of boat you want to register.
Step 2. Mail the application form and required documents to the following address:
UK Ship Register (The Registry of Shipping and Seamen)
MCA Cardiff
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
You can contact the office to check your application progress through:
UKSR@mcga.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3908 5200
International Certificate of Competence
An international certificate of competence can be applied online. If you are an RYA member, you may apply for an ICC for free. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1. Register a MyRYA account. Click “Register”. Then fill in the necessary information.
Step 2. Access the RYA ICC application page. Click “Apply”.
Step 3. Finish the ICC Application Form and upload the required documents. The ICC will be issued to you within a month or two.
What Do You Need to Get a Boating Licence
In order to apply for a national boat licence, you must hold boat insurance and a boat safety scheme certificate. The insurance policy will cover your liability for claims from damage or injury. For instance, if you crash into another boat, the damage to that boat would be covered by the policy.
What is the Boat Safety Scheme?
The Boat Safety Scheme, or BSS, is a safety standard in the UK designed to minimize risks from boats such as explosions, fire, and pollution. You must have a valid BSS certificate to obtain or renew a boat licence. By complying with the BSS, you can ensure your boats meet safety requirements for licensing purposes. A Boat Safety Scheme Certification is valid for 4 years. You need to pass a BSS Examination to get a BSS certificate. This can be done two months ahead of the boat’s registration.
You can arrange a BSS examination by finding a qualified examiner on the BSS website and booking an examination for your boat. The cost of a BSS Examination may vary depending on what examiner you select.
To ensure a first-time pass, you need regular maintenance to keep your boat safe for use and comply with the legal obligations on the waters. You can refer to the checklist of the BSS examination and make your boat compliant.
If your boat does not pass the examination, unfortunately, you can have a re-examination in three calendar months. There will be advice given by the examiner to your boat. Follow the advice accordingly.
Do I Require Boat Insurance?
Yes, to get a boat licence, boat insurance in place is a must. The insurance should cover at least ￡2,000,000 in case of accidental damages, personal injury, accidents, and liabilities. Apart from getting a boat licence, you may also need boat insurance for joining sailing clubs, racing your boat, selling your boat to marine finance, sailing in other countries, and mooring services.
How Much is a Boat Licence in the UK?
The cost of a boat licence depends on a variety of factors including the type and the validity of the boat licence, and the size of the boat. You may find the exact price using the boat licence price calculator.
If you want to sail abroad, you will also require an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) issued by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). The cost of obtaining an ICC may vary depending on your membership in RYA. If you are an RYA member, the ICC is free. For non-members, the cost is typically around ￡55. If you don’t have evidence of competence, you will need an ICC assessment with a fee of around ￡275.
Bonus: Get a UK Boat Licence Photo Online
To apply for a UK national boat licence, you will need:
- The dimensions of your boat
- The bill of sale
- The radio signal detail including your UK radio call sign, Maritime Mobile Service Identity number, and International Maritime Organization number
- The builder’s certificate
- Certificate of survey for tonnage and measurement
- An international tonnage certificate (ITC69)
- Safety certificates
To apply for an ICC, you will need:
- A valid passport or national ID card;
- Proof of residential address;
- Evidence of competence;
- A digital 35x45mm recent photo in JPEG format.
Why bother spending big money and much time in a photo studio when you can easily get the digital photo for the application without leaving home? Such a passport-sized photo can be created using AiPassportPhotos. Backed by advanced AI tech, it is an online photo editor that offers a cost-effective solution to your needs.
All you need to do is upload your image recently taken to the site. Within seconds, you will receive a 35x45mm biometric photo with 100% compliance ensured for your boat licence application. This photo tool comes in handy whenever you need a biometric photo for various documents.
FAQs
How much does it cost to get a captain’s licence in the UK?
If you are the master of vessels on inland waters such as canals, rivers, lakes, estuaries, or on ‘limited’ coastal area operations, you must obtain a captain’s licence. The cost of getting a captain’s licence involves several items. Each item and its fee can be viewed in this table.
How much is a British waterways licence?
The cost of a British waterways licence varies depending on the type and length of the boat, engine size, and where you sail the boat. The specific prices are listed in the charges sheet.
What licence do I need to sail a yacht in the UK?
It is completely legal to sail a yacht without a license in the UK. However, if you don’t have one, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance policy in case of any incident. So it is advised to get a boat licence, being an RYA Skipper certificate or an International Certificate of Competency.
Conclusion
Boating can be a pastime full of pleasure. But do you need a license to operate a boat? If so, what kind of boating licence do you need? How much is a boat licence UK? This article explains commonly asked questions as such about the boating licence UK. Whether can you drive a boat without a licence depends on various factors. If you are required to obtain one, do not hesitate. Such a licence is designed to ensure your safety during your journey to the water. Bon voyage!
Erin Lo