Klein Vaarbewijs 1 (small craft licence 1)
Study in English for the Dutch boating licence Klein Vaarbewijs 1 (KVB1). Try interactive lessons 1 to 3 for free, with no account or payment details. If you stop after that, nothing happens.
KVB1 complete includes 350 practice questions with explanations and mock exams like the CBR exam.
- 15chapters
- 89short lessons
- 15tests, one per chapter
- 1year of access, €10 one-off
How you learn with Vaarlicht
Which lights can you see from behind the boat?
Drag your position around the boat or choose a side below.
Loading the controls...
A rule becomes clearer when you see what changes. Each lesson takes you through short steps, with drawings and questions along the way.
- Look at the situation on the water.
- Change your position or the situation yourself.
- Answer a question and read why.
What you learn
Here you learn everything the CBR exam covers, in short lessons with drawings you operate yourself. After every chapter you take a test: first all the questions, then your result.
- 1
Lights and day signals
7 lessons · testLessons 1-3 free
- 2
Propeller, rudder and manoeuvring
7 lessons · test
- 3
Rules of the road and right of way
8 lessons · test
- 4
Buoyage and shore lights
6 lessons · test
- 5
Large vessels, suction and blind spots
5 lessons · test
- 6
Waterway signs
7 lessons · test
Show all chaptersShow fewer chapters
- 7
Weather, wind and poor visibility
7 lessons · test
- 8
Sound signals and VHF radio
5 lessons · test
- 9
Charts, water levels and clearance
6 lessons · test
- 10
Bridges, locks and locking through
5 lessons · test
- 11
Engine and technology
5 lessons · test
- 12
Berthing, anchoring and emergencies
6 lessons · test
- 13
Safety on board: fire, gas and lifesaving equipment
6 lessons · test
- 14
Fast boats, national waterways and the Rhine
6 lessons · test
- 15
Laws, papers and the licence
3 lessons · test
What KVB1 lets you sail
With KVB1 you sail a boat shorter than 15 metres that can go faster than 20 km/h, and a pleasure craft from 15 to 25 metres. Even when it is not required, it helps: the rules of the waterway apply to everyone on the water.
On the large waters, such as the IJsselmeer and the Wadden Sea (Waddenzee), you need Klein Vaarbewijs 2.
More about waters and age
A licence is required for a boat shorter than 15 metres that can go faster than 20 km/h under its own engine, including a jet ski or water scooter, and for any pleasure craft of 15 metres or more and shorter than 25 metres.
With KVB1 you sail on rivers, canals, lakes, and the Gouwzee. On the Westerschelde, the Oosterschelde, the Wadden Sea (Waddenzee), the Ems (Eems), the Dollard, the IJsselmeer, the IJmeer, and the Markermeer you need Klein Vaarbewijs 2.
You get the licence itself from the age of 18.
How the CBR exam works
A theory exam on a screen, at a CBR exam centre. There is no practical exam.
40 questions in 60 minutes. Each question is worth 1 to 3 points and you pass with 56 of the 80 points.
Source: CBR, exam requirements Klein Vaarbewijs 1.
See what the exam costsStart free, buy if you like it
You do lessons 1 to 3 without an account or payment details. If you want to continue, the full course costs €10, one-off. No subscription.
All 15 chapters, 1 year of access, at your own pace on your phone.
Practice questions and mock exams included
350 practice questions with explanations and mock exams like the CBR exam, as often as you like. You don't need to buy exam training separately.
No account, email address or payment details needed. If you stop after the free lessons, nothing happens.
Go to order · €10If you order later, what you did counts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do the chapters in a different order?
Yes. Once you have bought the course, you can open any chapter whenever you like.
Is the CBR exam included in the price?
No. The exam itself is not included. You sign up for it at the CBR and pay for it there.
Can I take the exam in English?
If you speak little or no Dutch, you can take the exam with an interpreter who translates the questions. This costs extra, and the CBR publishes a word list of the exam terms. In the English version of Vaarlicht, the Dutch term appears next to a technical term the first time it is used.
How do I sign up for the exam?
You book the exam yourself through Mijn CBR on the CBR website, or your training provider books it for you.
Three free lessons. Start with lesson 1.
No account, email address or payment details needed. On your phone or laptop.
Start free with lesson 1