Apply for a pleasure craft license

You can apply online or by post to an examination board of the associations appointed by the BMDV for the issue of a driving license to operate sports and leisure craft on federal waterways.

Online application:

• Go to the federal portal.
• Select the application for admission to the examination and application for the (first) issue of a recreational craft license (SBF) in accordance with § 3, § 4 and § 7 SpFV.
• Complete the application and upload the required files.
• Send the application digitally.
• Pay the fee in accordance with the association's instructions.

Postal application:

• Download the current application form from the association's website:
  • Deutscher Motoryachtverband e. V.
  • German Sailing Association e. V.
• Fill out the application form.
• Send the application together with the required documents by post.
• Pay the fee in accordance with the association's instructions.

• You must prove your physical fitness and reliability.
• You have passed the relevant examinations.
• for a pleasure craft license under sail:
  • You are at least 14 years old.
• for pleasure craft license under propulsion engine:
  • You are at least 16 years old.
• for underage applicants:
  • The consent of the parents or legal guardians has been obtained.

Important note: If copies are used for the application, the original document must be submitted for inspection on the day of the examination.

• Application for admission
• Medical certificate for "Sport boat license applicants"
  • A recreational boating license obtained by examination, which is not older than 1 year at the time of application, replaces the medical certificate.
• For applicants of legal age: copy of a valid motor vehicle driver's license or a certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority
• Current passport photo (35 mm x 45 mm, without headgear), submitted digitally

• § 8 Absatz 8 Sportbootführerscheinverordnung (SpFV)
• Verordnung über das Führen von Sportbooten (Sportbootführerscheinverordnung – SpFV)
• Durchführungsrichtlinien Sportbootführerscheinverordnung-Binnen und -See

• Contradiction
  • Further information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification of your application for admission to the examination.
• Appeal to the competent administrative court

This application relates exclusively to the initial issue of the recreational craft license and the associated examination for the driving license. Other applications for the transfer or replacement are listed separately.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.