General Boat License Theory & Test

To get your boat licence, you must:

Be aged 12 or over
Participate in the 3 hour 15 minutes knowledge component of the course
Successfully complete the general boat licence test (50 multiple-choice questions about rules and safety on the water.)
Use the Practical Log Book to provide evidence of having completed the necessary practical boating experience or complete the practical training course with another provider. (MRNSW does not provide practical boating experience).
Present all completed documents to Roads and Maritime Services (Services NSW) and pay the appropriate licence fee.
At that time you will also need to declare any medical condition or physical disability that could affect your driving, and meet eyesight standards.

For full details of how to obtain a boat licence you can also check the RMS website.

Course Duration

5 hours – 3 hrs 15 min of training, followed by the test.

Front cover of NSW Boating Handbook — *Study the boating handbook before attempting the boat licence exam*

Before You Attend

Please study the Boating Handbook before attending the workshop. You can download the handbook using this link. Printed copies are also available from Service NSW or from our boat base at Pelican.

It is also highly recommended that you practice before the test using the practice quiz on the RMS website at http://www.boatingquiz.com.au/.

If you have not been able to study the Handbook and do the online practice questions, we recommend that you defer your course with us until you have had time to do the pre-course study. In our experience people who have not prepared at all generally need to do a resit (which is free with us).

What to Bring

It is essential that you bring proof of ID (e.g. a motor vehicle licence, passport, birth certificate or similar). Also bring a pen and ideally a notepad or paper, although keep in mind the exam is a closed-book exam.

If any of the people attending the workshop are under 16 years of age then they must bring along a parent or guardian AND proof of ID. The parent or guardian must also bring proof of ID.

What You’ll Get

Once you’ve satisfactorily attended the workshop and passed the test, you will receive endorsement of your “Application For Boat Driving Licence” form section 6. You can take this form (together with your log book showing your practical experience) to Service NSW to get your General Boat Licence.

Payment

Standard price for the General Boat License course is $165 for Adults (16 and older) and $145 for a Young Person (12-15 years).

Select a session below and select your ticket(s). Payment is by credit card when making the booking with Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie. Note that there are NO facilities for EFTPOS or credit card at the venue. You cannot pay on the day.

You may cancel or reschedule your booking up until 24 hours before the scheduled time, instructions on how to do so can be found in your confirmation email. Any pre-payments will be refunded in full after cancellation.