business.gov.au

Boat Driving Licence - New South Wales

Description

You will need this licence if you intend to operate a power-driven recreational vessel in NSW waters, at a speed of 10 knots (18.5 km/h) or more. You will also require this licence if you intend to drive a personal watercraft (PWC) at any speed.

There are four types of licences:

  • General Licence: a licence for people aged 16 and over, to drive any vessel (except a PWC) at 10 knots or more.
  • Personal Watercraft Licence (PWC): for those who have a General Licence and intend to drive a PWC.
  • Young Adult General Licence: a restricted licence for people aged between 12-16 years.
  • Young Adult Personal Watercraft Licence: a restricted licence for people aged between 12-16 years who intend to drive a PWC.

A personal watercraft (PWC) is a power-driven vessel that has a fully enclosed hull that may be driven standing up, sitting astride or kneeling, and includes jet powered surfboards.

Please note that exemptions from holding this licence apply. Please see the regulation for details.

Please be aware that you can now apply to have a combined driver licence (motor vehicle) and boat driving licence on the one card. The licences remain separate and there is no change in the way a driver or boat licence is obtained or maintained.

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a Boat Driving Licence you must be:

  • at least 12 years of age (but less than 16 years of age) if you are applying for a young adult general boat driving licence or young adult personal watercraft driving licence
  • at least 16 years of age if you are applying for a general boat driving licence or personal watercraft driving licence
  • provide evidence of attained age for the relevant licence
  • if under the age of 16, provide written evidence of parental or guardian consent.

You may be required to undertake and pass a practical test, examination, eyesight test, attend a course or seminar and / or medical examinations.

Duration

General Licence and Personal Watercraft Licence (PWC): one, three or five years. General Young Adult Licence and Young Adult Personal Watercraft Licence: six months or one year.

Expiry

General Young Adult Licence and Young Adult Personal Watercraft Licences expire each year on the holder's birthday.

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Amount Description
Apply Application All $65.00

One year licence. Fees for 2022-23
Apply Application All $174.00 Three year licence. Fees for 2022-23
Apply Application All $273.00 Five year licence. Fees for 2022-23
Apply Application All $488.00 Ten year licence. Fees for 2022-23

Act(s) name

Marine Safety Act 1998 New South Wales

Regulation(s) name

Marine Safety Regulation 2016 New South Wales

Disqualified persons or entities

You will be ineligible to obtain or hold this licence if you have committed the offence of driving a personal watercraft on navigable waters without being the holder of a marine safety licence.

The period of ineligibility will be for a period of up to one year if it is a first offence, or up to two years if it is a second offence.

Administering agency

Transport for NSW

Roads and Maritime Services

NSW Maritime Division

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.