NSW Boat Licence Course

Name: NSW Boat Licence Course
Price: 425.00 AUD
Rating: 5 (348 reviews)

All-Inclusive Training
No Logbook Required

Boating

Learning

Testing

Done in just 1 day!

Book NSW Boat Licence Course

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Students participating in a NSW Boat Licence Course

Boat Licence Training You Can Trust

Our training courses are highly rated by hundreds of satisfied customers:

We’re 5-Star Rated!

Read Reviews

Greg Mowbray

05:42 11 Oct 24

Fantastic course and instructor! Couldn’t fault any aspect of the Boat Licence course, from the practical on water session to the detailed theory session. Natalie did a fantastic job. Best training I have experienced!

Allan Young

05:20 29 Sep 24

Can’t recommend highly enough. So informative and helpful passing the exam, but more importantly giving confidence in understanding boating rules and regulations.

Chelsea Anne

08:03 12 Sep 24

Absolutely amazing, simply explains everything and anything you ask! Goes through everything thoroughly and makes sure you understand everything.

Jacky Wong

07:19 12 Sep 24

Very good and friendly

Leo Liu

00:19 08 Sep 24

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation and admiration for the outstanding performance of the coach in today's General Boating Course. In particular, I believe the coach named Steven (if I heard it correctly) did an exceptional job.During the on-board practice, Steven effectively broke the ice and enlivened the atmosphere. He managed to be humorous and engaging while still covering all the training contents. I must admit that these two hours were extremely enjoyable.In the subsequent courses and tests, Steven demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and patience. His expertise and calm demeanor made the learning process smooth and effective.I am truly impressed by Steven's abilities and dedication. His efforts have made this boating course a memorable and valuable experience.Thank you once again for having such an excellent coach on your team.

john Vu

06:08 28 Aug 24

Amazing experience! Our instructor Paul was thorough, patient and he really took the time to make sure everyone learnt what was required every step of the way. One of the nicest blokes you'll ever meet.Awesome Job ABC

faber mazo

05:08 26 Aug 24

Really good place to do your boat training, the teacher was so clear and helpful.100% recommend this place.

Sarah K

08:08 25 Aug 24

Highly recommend going with ABC boating for any boat/PWC training/licenses. Very thorough, professional, patient and our instructor Paul adapted to everyone’s skill level and needs whilst making learning fun, enjoyable and making the learning process easy and simple.

Andrew Fitzgerald

10:02 18 Aug 24

I did the general boat license course with ABC today, John our instructor was fantastic, very patient and continuously offered guidance throughout the day to make sure everybody understood the ins & outs. He offered up more information than you need to just pass the course and in doing so, makes sure you start out with a decent amount of skills & understanding of the water to make your first outings on a boat safe and enjoyable. 10/10, will recommend ABC to anyone looking to get their license. Thanks again John & ABC Sydney!

Salwa Benmaarouf

02:02 11 Aug 24

As a first-time boat driver, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Paul was absolutely amazing, he took the time to explain everything clearly and shared extra valuable insights beyond the standard guidebook. A big thank you to the entire team for making the booking process so smooth and efficient. I highly recommend these guys for anyone looking to get their boat licence!

Matthew Rudland

05:19 08 Aug 24

Fantastic company. Very knowledgeable and first class equipment. If you’re serious about getting your licence. These guys will get you there!

Arlo Thompson

10:44 02 Jul 24

Had a great time in the process of receiving my licence. Instructor was one of the nicest people I’ve met and his teaching was thorough. Highly recommend as anyone can pass the test with ABC’s methods and there was plenty of information not necessarily in the test study guide that is essential for boating.

Matt Disipio

05:31 30 Jun 24

Everything was clearly explained and lots of fun. Ibrahim was a fantastic teacher and was lots of help, would definitely recommend.

Nathaniel Steward

03:02 24 Jun 24

Attended a 1 day general boat licence course with ABC. They are a little expensive compared to other options but Ibraham was a great teacher and gave us lots of helpful ways to remember the maritime rules and signals. Highly recommend.

Bill Gable

06:53 15 Jun 24

The best way to get your boat license. So professional and knowledgeable teachers.

Leigh Lawton

19:50 20 May 24

Great course and fantastic instructor which went through all detail on the water and classroom to help me pass the test at the end of the day.

John Styles

05:34 19 May 24

Fantastic day with Ibrahim on the water and in the classroom, thoroughly knowledgeable and delivered the training in an easy to follow and enjoyable manner.The course was very well structured, flowed and was exceptionally well organised, a credit to Ibrahim and the entire team.I highly recommend them to anyone needing a boat licence or any other training they offer.

Barbara Rearden

05:27 19 May 24

Excellent way to learn what you need to safely enjoy boating in NSW instructor had so much knowledge and communicated to everyone in the class in a way we all understood. Would recommend this to anyone wanting to get a boat licence

Chris Gatto

05:24 04 May 24

Great fun today! Ibrahim was a great instructor!!

Matthew Reid

09:53 15 Apr 24

Absolutely a fantastic company to use for your licensing requirements. All the instructors were helpful, knowledgeable, and really took the time to make sure you learnt what was required. A really easy going team that make you feel comfortable so you can pass. Great work ABC.

Phil Nurse

08:55 14 Apr 24

We completed our theory and practical today with Ibrahim and it was fantastic. Ibraham was very knowledgeable and engaging and his style really helped me in learning all the theory aspects. His instructions on the boat were also very clear and I felt confident and safe throughout. Thank you for a great experience, Ibrahim!

Darren Parker

07:10 08 Jan 24

Highly recommended - excellent way to spend a day on the water and in the classroom learning. Instructors provided quality practical advice all day. Hands on experience and everything you need to know. Great delivery style - endless tips - non-judgemental - professional approach.

Andrei Loginovskiy

01:31 29 Oct 23

Amazing experience!Our coach Ibrahim was a rock star: he delivered one of the most engaging and enjoyable learning I ever had experienced, lots of practical advices, very attentive and just a great person.You learn theory to pass tests, they share heaps of practical knowledge. Just practice alone worth the money spent.I will for sure recommend to anyone and has recommended to my friends already.

Matthew Lienert

04:49 20 Oct 23

Fantastic day when I went to ABC Australian Boating College, it was so much fun we went straight out onto the boat took turns with control of the boat and instructions and explanation was clear and concise. I am enthusiastic to getting my boat with further training and settling in on my own vessel, (extra charge of course! Hehe) You will love every minute of it receiving so much freedom enjoyment with peace and tranquillity on the water.. Adam is really passionate and helpful about anything Boating, he is a wealth of knowledge after obviously many years he has had on the water. My rating for him is AAA5 Stars!Book your boat license in with him today. It really is like ABC very easy to learn from him on the water one off the water.

Who is the NSW Boat Licence Course for?

The General Boat Licence is required for anyone who would like to drive a boat in NSW waters and go faster than walking pace – 10 knots, or 18.5km/h.

This speed isn’t very fast, and even a little tinny can break this barrier easily if you give it enough throttle.

The full Boat Licence will let you drive any boat of any length and speed, so long as it’s not in a commercial capacity.

You can get your NSW Boating Licence in just one day with our all-inclusive training course!

Watch this video on YouTube

Watch Our Free Training Videos

Should I Do The NSW Boat Licence Course?

No
Boat
Licence

Adult
Licence Holder

Drive A Boat Of Any Length

Yes

Motor Size 6hp Or More

Yes

Slow Speed Below 10 Knots

Yes

Fast Speed Above 10 Knots

Yes

Tow A Person Above 10 Knots

Yes

Covered By Boat Insurance

No*

Yes

Be Confident On The Water

Yes

Drive At Full Speed

Yes!

* Most Boat Insurers require the Driver to be Fully Licenced for claim eligibility

Get your NSW Boat Licence
in just 4 easy steps!

Practical Boating
Experience

A student learning how to drive a boat during a NSW Boat Licence Course

No need for a logbook – do your prac in 1 go!
On-water sessions all around Sydney
3 comfortable & modern vessels

Classroom
Session

An Instructor teaching students in the classroom as part of the NSW Boat Licence Course

Fantastic training by expert boaties
Frequently updated presentation
Demonstrations, videos, and more

Official Boating
Knowledge Test

A Person sitting the Test or Exam on a touchscreen Tablet during the NSW Boat Licence Course

Sit the Boat Test with ABC in the afternoon
If you don’t pass, come back another day
No additional cost for test attempts

Get your NSW
Boat Licence

A person holding a Boat Licence, having successfully passed the NSW Boat Licence Course

Get fully qualified when you pass the course
Lodge form at Service NSW & pay the fee
Get your Boat Licence, head out on the water!

Watch this video on YouTube

Know an aspiring skipper?
Give the gift of a Boat Licence Course!

Buy a Gift Voucher

Love the idea of getting your Boat Licence, without the crowds?

We can organise a private course just for you, family, or friends!

About Private Courses

Practical Boating Experience

Boat Licence Course; No Logbook

Your day starts aboard one of our comfortable, modern vessels, where we’ll cover everything you need to know for the Licence in this on-water training session.

It’s a fun experience that takes a couple hours, and as we’re a ATP (Authorised Training Provider), this means you won’t have to fill out a practical logbook from Service NSW.

The boating practical is typically the favourite section of the day, it’s a ton of fun!

Trip Prep

Learn the best practice in safe departure, and follow the pre-start checks before you set off.

Taking your family or friends out on the boat? We’ll help you know the correct type of lifejacket to put on them!

Navigation

See how it all works in person – we’ll point out the difference between channel marks and submerged danger marks.

Can’t tell your port from your starboard? Let us show you!

Boat Handling

Low Speed Manoeuvres

You’ll drive forward and backward

Man Over-Board Drills

With “Bob”, the trained and certified safety buoy

High Speed Manoeuvres

Full throttle forwards and figure eights

Anchoring, Beaching, & Berthing

We demonstrate how to do it right

Classroom Session: NSW Boat Licence

Gold Standard Boat Licence Theory

With so many confusing rules and regulations it can feel like you’ve been sent up the creek!

Let us guide you through it all with pre-study, and a thorough classroom session.

ABC Pre-Study Guide & Practice Test

Start at home or on the go with our boating guide, which gets you a solid foundation of knowledge.

It only takes about 45 minutes to read before your course, and it primes you on all the words you’ll need to know like port, starboard, draft, and more.

Then there’s 15 minutes of a Practice Boat Test, written to be just like the real one.

In-Person Presentation

Join us in the classroom to learn the waterway rules with the aid of safety equipment demos, videos, animations, and images.

We make learning fun, useful, and effective!

Upstream, Downstream, and Channel Marks

Drive on the correct side of the river

Lifejackets and Boating Safety

When to wear them and what else to bring

Avoiding Collisions With Other Boats

Right of way and which way to turn

Distances Off Objects

Boats? People? Whales? Learn them all

NSW General Boat Knowledge Test

Sit The NSW Boat Licence Test with ABC

Once you’ve been primed with all the boating info you could need, it’s time for the NSW Boat Test.

You’ll sit the multiple choice exam on a touchscreen tablet in our closed-book classroom environment, with our supportive trainers nearby.

50 Questions, 2 Sections

Section A has 20 questions, and a passing mark is an exacting 20/20. That’s right – no incorrect answers allowed!

Section B has 30 questions, and is a little more lenient at 24/30 – but the questions are more complex.

The ABC “Fair Go” Policy

We truly believe in the quality of our training (and our incredibly high pass rate), but even the best student can need a helping hand on an off day.

No worries though – you’re covered by the Australian Boating College Fair Go Policy:

We’ll give you 2 attempts at the NSW Boat Licence Test on the day of your course.

If you don’t pass, you can come back another day for 2 more tries at no extra cost.

Get your NSW Boat Driving Licence

Lodge Your Form at Service NSW

Now you’ve completed your full-day course with ABC, just take your completed Boat Licence Application Form to any Service NSW branch, no appointments needed.

Simply enter the branch, select “Maritime” on the touchscreen for a numbered ticket, give them your form when called, pay the licence fee, and get your licence on the spot.

Get Out On The Water

You’re now qualified and equipped to take your vessel out on the water, congratulations!

Next Steps in Your Boating Journey:

If you want to hone your boating skills or learn any advanced boating techniques, check out our other training courses:

Jetski/PWC Licence

Want to ride a Jetski? Complete the full combined course, or add it on as an upgrade later

Personalised Boating Lessons

Loved our training? Get advanced tips and learn to use your own boat in a 1-on-1 session

Marine Radio Licence

A Marine Radio Licence is needed if your boat is fitted with a Radio, and it’s great for safety

NSW Boat Licences
as easy as A, B, C!

Book Course

Frequently Asked Questions

NSW Boat Licence Course – $425

Save $135!

Includes 2 Courses:

Practical Boating Experience – $300
NSW Boat Licence Theory & Test – $260
Total if purchased separately – $560

Licence processing fees are charged separately, and can be seen on the NSW Government fees page.

Are there any pre-requisites? Do I need to have boating experience first?

There are no pre-requisites for the NSW Boat Licence Course, and the course is designed so that beginners can successfully complete the training.

It is recommended to complete the pre-study guide and practice test before the day – both are included in the enrolment confirmation email.

Do I have to pay before the course? Can I pay on the day?

Due to limited space available on our boats we take payment in full at the time of booking.

We do not accept cash payments.

What if I have a hard time with reading or learning?

If you have trouble with Learning, Literature and Numeracy, please let us know before your course so we can best plan to help you.

We are happy to discuss and always strive to support everyone where possible.

Which language is used during the Course? Can it be translated?

All Course material is provided in English, and all training content is also delivered in English.

There is no opportunity to have a translated version, or to bring an interpreter with you to the course.

Please get in touch with us if you’d like to know more about your options for other languages.

Do I need to know how to swim? What happens if I fall in?

You don’t need to be able to swim, or be a strong swimmer, to attend the course.

We’ll ask all passengers to wear a comfortable inflatable lifejacket upon boarding, which will keep you afloat if it touches the water.

We’ve never had anyone test that for us; but we do get the lifejackets serviced regularly just in case.

Do I also need to do a Boating Safety Course?

The Boating Safety Course was a requirement for getting a boat licence, however as of 1 July 2016 this is no longer necessary.

You’ll get everything you need to qualify for your licence with our standard NSW Boat Licence Course.

What time does the course start?

The NSW Boat Licence Course typically goes from 7:45AM-5:00PM.

We meet at 7:45AM for an 8:00AM departure on the water, which may be earlier during Summer.

We’ll let you know of any changes by email and SMS before the course starts.

What is the typical course schedule like?

Practical First (Most Courses)

7:45AM – Meet at practical location
8:00AM – Depart for on-water training
10:30AM – Practical session ends
11:30AM – Classroom session begins
3:30PM – Boat Test begins
5:00PM – Course to end by 5PM

Classroom First (Some Courses)

7:45AM – Meet outside the classroom
8:00AM – Sign in and begin the training
11:45AM – Classroom session ends
12:00PM – Boat Test begins
2:30PM – Head to the practical location
5:00PM – Course to end by 5PM

What happens if it’s raining or the weather is bad?

We make every effort to go ahead in all weather conditions including rain, so make sure you bring a raincoat.

A towel and a change of clothes is also a good idea to keep in your car.

What clothes do I wear?

Consider the forecast and dress for the time of day you’ll be out – it can be cool in the early morning, and gets hot quick in Summer.

Some venues have a dress code where thongs, singlets, offensive graphic printed shirts, and hats are not allowed indoors. Dress as you would for an RSL Club and you’ll be fine.

Wear comfortable regular clothes, and closed-toe shoes such as runners or joggers (not thongs or sandals).

What do I need to bring with me?

All Students

Bring your ID (such as a NSW Drivers Licence, Passport, Medicare Card).

On The Boat

Wear closed-toed shoes such as runners or joggers. All safety equipment is provided, so don’t bring your own lifejacket.

In The Classroom

Bring a pen & notepad if you’d like to take notes (the Exam is closed book and you won’t be able to refer to them during the Test).

Are lunch and food included?

We don’t include food during the course, but most Venues will have food and drink for sale. You are welcome to pack a lunch or to purchase if available.

Where do I find the venue address and information?

This will be included in the confirmation email upon enrolment, and can also be seen on our venues page.

How do I get between the Practical and Theory locations?

There is plenty of parking at every location for your car.

Transport is not provided by us between locations on the day – our trainers are too busy looking after the boats and can’t provide a lift.

Some students ask for a ride from others, or take a taxi/Uber between locations.

What will I get when I complete the Course?

When you finish the NSW Boat Licence Course with the Australian Boating College Sydney, you’ll receive a completed Application for General Boat Driving Licence form that shows you’re fully qualified.

It can’t be used to drive a boat until you lodge the form at Service NSW and pay the Licence fee.

How long do I have to lodge my form?

The Boat Licence Form is valid for 12 months only, and due to our training agreement cannot be extended or re-dated for any reason.

I’ve lost my form and it’s been less than a year, can I get it replaced?

If it has been less than 12 months since your course we can remake your paperwork by sighting your ID again.

This involves a fee – please get in touch with us for details.

Do I need to take a boating certificate to the RTA, or RMS, or Service NSW?

Certificates used to be issued and were required as proof of course completion, however as of 2016 they are no longer needed – you will only require the finished application form to successfully apply at the RTA/RMS/Service NSW Branch.

How long is the NSW Boat Licence valid for?

The NSW Boat Licence form you receive at the end of the course can be redeemed at Service NSW for 1, 3, 5, or 10 years.

Within 6 weeks of expiry you will get a notice to renew the Licence.

If it has expired you have up to 5 years to renew the Licence.

After 5 years you will need to fully requalify – it would be like you never had one.

How much is the NSW Boat Licence fee?

Licence processing fees are charged separately, and a list of prices can be seen on the NSW Government Fees Page.

What are the limitations of the NSW Boat Licence?

There are no limitations on the size, power, or speed of vessel that you can drive with the Boat Licence.

However, you cannot operate a vessel for any commercial purpose – you can’t sell tours, take guests for an on-sea holiday, or drive the Manly Ferry.

There are also limitations on Licence holders aged 12, 13, 14, and 15, detailed in the “Kids and Juniors Under 18” section further down the page.

My NSW Car Driving Licence is suspended, what now?

A suspended Car Licence will not prevent you from qualifying for and receiving a Boat Licence, as they are separate Licences.

If you redeem your paperwork and decide to combine both Licences into one, and then later have one affected by a suspension, they will issue you a replacement card for the unaffected half.

Read more about this on the NSW Government’s Combined driver and boat licence page.

Is the NSW Boat Licence recognised internationally?

Some countries do recognise the Boat Licence for the purposes of driving or hiring a boat, however it is not universally accepted and many countries require other qualifications.

We recommend contacting the charter company and confirming the type of qualification that they need as your first port of call.

What is the minimum age for the course?

You must be 12 years or older to apply for the Licence at Service NSW, but you can complete the course from 11 years – make sure you set a calendar reminder to lodge your form as it is only valid for 12 months.

Does an adult need to be there on the day?

Yes, an adult needs to be present to accompany a minor at most of our Venues – RSL Clubs, Golf Clubs, and Yacht Clubs all require under 18s to be with an adult while inside.

An adult may also be needed for transportation between locations, which is not provided on the day.

How do I get a Junior Boat Licence?

The Junior Boat Licence is now included as part of the standard NSW General Boat Driving Licence, and the requirements for it are the same as an adult licence.

What are the Under 16 restrictions on the Licence?

Boat Licence

The NSW Government website states that for a Boat Licence holder between 12 and 16:

Low Speed

Daytime

Under 10 knots

No Adult Required

You can drive a boat under 10 knots alone without another boat licence holder, during daylight hours for personal use

Medium Speed