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 Recreational Boat
Licence
A licence is required to operate any boat which is powered by a motor of
more than 4.5kW (over 6HP), is capable of speeds in excess of 10 knots and has a
planing or non-displacement hull.
Applying for a
Recreational Boat Licence
You can apply for a Recreational Boat Licence if you are 16 years or
older.
To obtain a
licence you must:
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demonstrate you are competent to navigate and
manage a recreational boat by either undertaking an approved boat licence
training course, or passing a practical boat licence test
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provide satisfactory proof of identity
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pass an eyesight test
What do I
need to know to pass a practical boat licence test?
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speed limits
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the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act,
Regulation and related Standards as they apply to recreational boating
(including the General Safety Obligation)
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the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea
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IALA Buoyage System "A" used in
Queensland waters
How Do I Undertake
a Test?
Practical licence tests may be undertaken with private testing officers or
in remote locations, with Queensland Boating & Fisheries Patrol officers.
Contact Queensland
Transport for current fees.
Having passed a practical test, the test report form together with a completed
application form and acceptable proof of identity should be presented in person
at any Queensland Transport Customer Service Centre.
Licence applicants may choose to undertake an approved training course. These
courses are competency-based and include a licence assessment as part of the
course. Details of courses available in your area can be obtained from your
local Queensland Transport Customer Service Centre or contact the Hervey
Bay Marine Training Centre.
Having completed an approved course, the course completion certificate together
with a completed application form and acceptable proof of identity should be
presented in person at any Queensland Transport Customer Service Centre.
New
Virtual Licence Good for Life
Since February 2000, Queensland's paper-based boat licence product are no longer
issued. Instead, licencees will hold a 21st century "Virtual
Licence". Licence details will simply be recorded in Queensland Transport's
computerised boat licence database which is immediately accessible by on-water
enforcement officers such as Water Police and Queensland Boating & Fisheries
Patrol.
Holders of licences issued prior to February 2000 can retain their existing
licence product as evidence that they hold a recreational boat licence.
All new recreational boat "virtual" licences
will also be life-time licences. All current Queensland recreational boat
licences, including the former Speed Boat Driver's Licence and the current
Recreational Ship Master's Licence will automatically be deemed to be life-time
licences. Licences will never need to renewed.
Licence
Fees
For your Life-time Recreational Ship Master's Licence contact Queensland
Transport for current fees. Queensland's boat licensing fees are among the lowest in Australia.
Unlicensed Drivers
Unlicensed drivers may drive a boat where a licence is normally required,
provided a licensed driver is onboard and able to immediate control of the boat.
This also applies to Personal Water Craft. However, unlicensed drivers CAN NOT
drive a boat being used for any towing purposes, such as waterskiing, under any
conditions. This also applies to Personal Water Craft.
Changing Your Boat
Licence Information
You can change your boat licence details at any time. You can do this by:
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writing to Customer Service Direct, GPO Box 2451, Brisbane, Queensland, 4001
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going to any Queensland Transport Customer Service Centre
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calling Queensland Transport's Customer Information Telephone Service.
Queensland residents should call 13 23 80, and interstate residents should call
(07) 3320 4500
Replacing Boat
Licences
Now that Queensland Transport has moved to a virtual licence, there is no
longer any need to replace an existing Speed Boat Driver's Licence or a
Recreational Ship Master's Licence.
The Hervey Bay Marine Training
Centre provides Boat Licence and Marine Training Courses, Boating
Instruction, Navigation, New Boaties Info, etc.
Click on the banner to visit their site at www.boatlicence.au.com
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