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NSW licence to drive a motor boat

NSW Boat Licence Course Info

Sea School International has many training locations in NSW for you to do your General Boat and PWC licence training.

Sea School International Pty Ltd (ABN 27 140 038 713, RTO 91732) is approved by NSW Maritime to provide practical boat training and/or knowledge testing for the NSW general boat driving licence and PWC driving licence.

Course Information

Types of licence

  • General boat driving licence
  • PWC driving licence

General boat driving licence

This licence permits people aged 12 years and over to drive any vessel (except a PWC) at 10 knots or more.

PWC driving licence

A PWC (Personal Water Craft) driving licence is required for people aged 12 years and over to drive a PWC. People who hold a general boat driving licence can upgrade to a PWC driving licence at any time. A PWC driving licence includes a general boat licence. A PWC licence holder is able to operate a vessel with a fully enclosed hull that may be driven standing up, lying down, sitting astride or kneeling, and includes jet powered surfboards.

Licence holders aged from 12 to under 16 years

NSW have a 'junior' boat licence for persons aged 12 – 16. The holder of a general boat driving licence or PWC driving licence who is aged from 12 to under 16 years of age must not do any of the following:

  • Drive at a speed greater than 20 knots
  • Drive in any race, display, regatta, exhibition or similar operation
  • Drive any vessel, other than a PWC, at a speed of 10 knots or more:
    • Without the holder of a general boat driving licence who is 16 years of age or older being present in the vessel, or
    • Between sunset and sunrise, or
    • While the vessel is towing anyone.
  • Drive a PWC between sunset and sunrise (this rule applies to all PWC driving licence holders)
  • Drive a PWC at a speed of 10 knots or more:
    • Without the holder of a PWC driving licence who is 16 years of age or older being present on the PWC, or
    • While the vessel is towing anyone.

Courses

Boat Licencing

This course is our most popular because all steps are covered on the same day! It includes the Practical Boating Course, the Boating Knowledge Course and the Boating Knowledge Test.

Boat and PWC Licencing

This course is made up of the Boat Licencing Course and the PWC Knowledge Test to obtain both Boat and PWC licence.

Practical Boating

This practical boating experience is in a small group, where each participant gains skills and confidence by spending time at the wheel of a training vessel with an outboard motor, launching and recovery of boats as well as mooring, docking, anchoring and man overboard.

Boating Knowledge Course theory & test

This course is a step-by-step, classroom presentation about channel markers, navigation lights, collision regulations, boat wash, speed, compulsory safety equipment and everything you need to know to safely drive a boat.

Boating & PWC Knowledge Course theory & test

This course is a step-by-step, classroom presentation about channel markers, navigation lights, collision regulations, boat wash, speed, compulsory safety equipment and everything you need to know to safely drive a boat and PWC

PWC (Jet Ski) Upgrade - must hold boat licence to complete

Complete a compulsory knowledge test.
*applicants must complete a boating knowledge test first or, hold a general boat licence

Course Costs

Course fees must be paid prior to course commencement

Sea School course type Fees
Boat Licencing Course $380
Boat and PWC Licencing Course $450
Practical Boating Course $250
Boating Knowledge Course theory & test$250
Boating & PWC Knowledge Course theory & test $300
PWC (Jet Ski) Upgrade - must hold boat licence to complete$200

Refresher courses and private training are available on request.

What you will learn

  • Essential boating information
  • Licence and registration
  • Know the rules and regulations
  • Safety equipment
  • Sound signals and navigation lights
  • Plan your voyage and get back safely
  • Give way and distance off
  • Navigation marks and signs
  • Speed zones and night safety
  • Person overboard and hypothermia
  • Manoeuvre and handle a boat
  • Wind, current, waves and boat wash
  • Anchoring and safe operations
  • What to do in an emergency
  • Raise alarms and distress signals
  • Situation awareness and vessel traffic
  • Water ski and jet ski rules
  • Smart tips for safer boating

Locations

Pittwater 7 days per week Michael Cooper
1300­ 666 416
michael@seaschool.com.au

Stuart Cooper
0418­ 462 236
stuart@seaschool.com.au
 
Western Sydney 7 days per week Chris Shaw
0404­ 568 572
chris@seaschool.com.au
 
Roseville By appointment Stuart Cooper
0418­ 462 236
stuart@seaschool.com.au
 
Penrith Saturday or by appointment Chris Shaw
0404­ 568 572
chris@seaschool.com.au
 
Southern Sydney 7 days per week Mike Harrison
0431 716 244
mikeharrison@seaschool.com.au
 
Hawkesbury Hills District By appointment Mick Crossland
(02) 4502 3793
crosslandmotorsport@gmail.com
 
Central Coast Saturday and Sunday Bob Diaz
(02)­ 4389 3483 or 0414­ 435 483
info@prodivecentralcoast.com.au
 
Jervis Bay Sunday or by appointment Bill or Julia
0413 360 600 or 0411 540 885
seaschooljb@gmail.com
 
Tweed Heads By appointment Peter Comerford
(07)­ 5524 3683 or 0423­ 000 093
info@tweedseasports.com

Boat and PWC licence courses and practical boating lessons are also held at various locations throughout QLD and WA.

What to Bring

Identification

You will need to bring your Australian Drivers Licence (or other acceptable proof of Identification).

 
Clothing:

Clothing should be casual clothing suitable for the practical boating components.

Shoes should be deck shoes, joggers, sandshoes or work boots (no open-toe shoes such as thongs).

Boating and PWC Knowledge Tests

These tests are NOT available online. All theory and practical tests must be completed face-to-face within the presence of an accredited Maritime Trainer and Assessor.

There are 50 multiple choice questions
  • 20 - the first 20 must ALL be answered correctly
  • 30 - the next 30 questions must have 24 answered correctly for New South Wales tests

The PWC licence knowledge test cannot be attempted until the General Licence knowledge test has been successfully completed or the applicant holds a current boat licence.

  • 15 - PWC multiple choice questions of which 12 must be answered correctly

Literacy

You must be able to communicate orally in English. If you have difficulties in this regard we recommend that you contact NSW Maritime or visit your local NSW Maritime office who will arrange an appointment with an interpreter.

We are also able to conduct the tests orally for applicants with special needs.

Do I have to study before the Practical Boating Course and Boating Knowledge Test?

Our trainers will cover all the rules and regulations, information about boating safety and everything you need to know to pass your Boating Knowledge Test.

However, NSW Maritime have some useful resources for pre-study.

NSW Maritime provide a Boating handbook to operate a vessel for recreational purposes on NSW waters. NSW Maritime also has online study guides to assist your learning and the Boating Knowledge Quiz is a very useful resource for studying and preparing for the knowledge tests.

To learn about PWC / jet ski operations, we recommend the NSW Maritime Personal Watercraft Handbook.

Applying for a boat or PWC licence

To apply for a general boat or PWC licence you’ll need to provide:

  • Proof that you have passed the knowledge test and provide evidence of practical boating experience (issued by Sea School International dependent on the course booked)
  • A completed licence application form
  • Acceptable proof of identity
  • Young adult applicants must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who must provide acceptable proof of identity
  • PWC driving licence applicants must also provide two passport acceptable photos
  • Payment for the licence fee

You can attend a registry or service centre in person or post in your application.

NSW State licensing fees

Similar to a driver's licence, you will also have to pay a state government fee to NSW Maritime to obtain your NSW Boat Licence or PWC Licence. One, three, five and ten year licences are now available.

NSW Maritime Licence Fees, as of 1 July 2024
 Boat PWC
One (1) year Licence $77 $245
Three (3) year Licence $220 $662
Five (5) year Licence$351 $1042
Ten (10) year Licence$679 $1961
One (1) year Concession or person aged under 16 years $39 $123
Three (3) year Concession or person aged under 16 years Licence$110 $331
Five (5) year Concession or person aged under 16 years Licence$176 $521
Ten (10) year Concession or person aged under 16 years Licence$340 $981
Replacement Licence$24 $24

Terms and Conditions

Signing your enrolment form acknowledges your understanding of your rights, obligations and acceptance of Sea School’s terms and conditions and privacy policy.

Sea School course costs, timetable, course content, policies and procedures are subject to change without notice.

You are required to read the detailed terms and conditions information on our website.

Complaint Management Procedure

Sea School International is committed to providing an effective, efficient, timely, fair and confidential complaints and appeals handling procedure for all students.

Please view our Complaint management procedure and Complaints form for further information on how to lodge your complaint.

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Just wanted to thank you and your staff at Sea School. I have over 20 years experience in the teaching profession and work closely with Macquarie Uni & UTS and I can certainly say that your methods of teaching coxswain ticket were spot on.

Craig Mitchell, Managing Director, Sydney Harbour Bookings

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