Applying for the transfer of recognized qualifications to a recreational craft licence

You can apply online or by post to the offices of the associations authorized by the BMDV for the issue of your driver's license to operate sports and leisure craft on federal waterways on the basis of an official qualification/authorization.

Online application:

• Call up the federal portal via .
• Select the application for transfer of the recreational craft license.
• Complete the application and upload the required files.
• Send the application digitally.
• The fee will be collected by SEPA direct debit.

Postal application:

• Download the current application form from the associations' websites:
  • Deutscher Motoryachtverband e. V.
  • German Sailing Association e. V.
• Fill out the application form.
• Send the application with the required documents by post.
• The fee will be collected by SEPA direct debit.

If your application has been approved, you will receive your driving license by post. In all other cases, the authorized association will contact you directly.

• existing driving license or officially recognized authorization to drive watercraft on federal waterways

or

• Examination certificate from the vocational school on successful completion of vocational training as an inland navigation skipper in accordance with the applicable vocational training regulations by 07/2022

or

• Confirmation from the vocational school of successful completion of the intermediate examination in the vocational training course for inland navigation skippers and captains in accordance with the applicable vocational training regulations from 08/2022 onwards

• certified copies of existing driving licenses on waterways or officially recognized authorization to drive watercraft on federal waterways

or

• Examination certificates from the vocational school on successful completion of vocational training as an inland navigation skipper in accordance with the applicable vocational training regulations by 07/2022

or

• Confirmation from the vocational school of successful completion of the intermediate examination in the vocational training course for inland navigation skippers and inland navigation captains in accordance with the applicable vocational training regulations as of 08/2022

additionally:

• a current passport photo (35 mm x 45 mm, without headgear), submitted digitally
• completed SEPA direct debit mandate for the issuing fee, plus foreign postage if applicable
• medical certificate for recreational craft license applicants, if applicable

There is no deadline.

• § Section 12 of the German Ordinance on Sport Maritime Licenses (SportSeeSchV)
• Implementation guidelines for recreational craft license - sea (DurchführungsRLSpbootFüV-See)

• Contradiction
  • Further information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification of your application for transfer.
• Legal action before the locally competent administrative court

In the event of loss of a recreational craft license, change of name or change of conditions, the application for replacement copies applies.

17.07.2024