What boating license do you need?

A boating license is required for a speedboat that can travel faster than 20 km per hour at full throttle. A speedboat is, of course, designed to travel at high speeds, so you will likely need a boating license. If you’re operating a speedboat on rivers, canals, and lakes, a Boating License 1 is sufficient. Will you also be boating on larger bodies of water? Then you’ll need a Boating License 2.

What type of boating license do you need to operate a jet ski or personal watercraft?

Although a jet ski and a personal watercraft are legally the same, there is a difference between them. You must operate a personal watercraft while seated, whereas a jet ski can also be operated while standing. Of course, this is more difficult and therefore requires more practice. However, this does not affect the boating license requirement. If the jet ski or personal watercraft travels faster than 20 km per hour (which is the case in most situations), you need a boating license.

When using a jet ski or personal watercraft, you need to make sure the area is suitable for that type of vehicle. There are usually designated areas for high-speed boating. These are often quite a distance from the coast.

What type of boating license do you need at sea?

To sail your boat at sea, you need Boating License 2. This is also known as Klein Vaarbewijs II. With Boating License 2, you’re also allowed to sail on larger bodies of water and coastal waters. These include larger lakes and the sea, such as the Wadden Sea, the IJsselmeer, the Markermeer, the IJmeer, and the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde. One exception is the Gouwzee, which is part of the Markermeer. There, you are allowed to sail with Boating License 1 alone. Before you can obtain Boating License 2, you must first hold Boating License 1. It is also possible to obtain Boating Licenses 1 and 2 at the same time.

On the Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea is the inland sea between the Wadden Islands and the North Sea. The Wadden Sea stretches all the way from the Netherlands to Denmark. It’s a beautiful area for boating. To be allowed to operate a boat on the Wadden Sea, you must hold a Boating License 2.

On the North Sea

The North Sea is an exception to the rules mentioned above. You do not need a boating license to sail on the North Sea. However, you do need a boating license to enter seaports. So if you want to head out to sea via a seaport, you will still need a boating license. In this case, you will need at least Boating License 1.

On the Markermeer

The Markermeer is located between North Holland and Flevoland. On its northeast side, it borders the IJsselmeer, and on its south side, it merges into the IJmeer. To sail on the Markermeer, you need a Vaarbewijs 2. An exception to this is the Gouwzee. The Gouwzee is located between Volendam, Marken, and Monnickendam. Here, you may also sail with only a Class 1 Boating License. In most places, the water there is fairly shallow.

On the IJsselmeer

The IJsselmeer is the largest lake in the Netherlands and a wonderful place to sail. To sail on the IJsselmeer, you must hold a Vaarbewijs 2 license. On calm days, the IJsselmeer is a pleasant place to sail, but as soon as the wind picks up, sailing on the IJsselmeer can be treacherous. That’s why it’s important to know how to handle such boating situations.

What boating license do you need when traveling abroad?

If you want to boat abroad, you need an ICC. ICC stands for International Certificate of Competence. It is an English translation of the boating license. All newly issued boating licenses automatically come with an ICC. If you have Boating License 1, you’ll receive the ICC for inland waters. If you have Boating License 2, you’ll receive the ICC for inland and coastal waters. The requirements for when and which boating license you need vary by country.

Before you head out onto the water, it’s obviously important that you have a solid understanding of boating, the boat, safety precautions, and the regulations that apply in that country.