Dutch boating exam (KVB1): how does it work?

Passing depends on points, not just correct answers

Each question is worth 1, 2 or 3 points. Because questions carry different weights, the number of correct answers alone does not tell you whether you pass. The threshold is 56 out of 80 points. When practising, also look at which topics you still find difficult.

You take the theory exam on a computer at a CBR test centre. KVB1 has no practical exam.

Most CBR exam questions are multiple choice. You may also get drag-and-drop questions and hotspot questions, where you move an item or select a location in a picture.

What do you need to know for KVB1?

You study navigation rules and signals, how a boat responds and how to sail safely. Topics include right of way, lights, buoyage, bridges and locks, weather, engines, safety and the rules around the licence.

The course page shows every chapter. In the free lessons, you can move your viewpoint around a vessel and see which lights become visible. You can try the explanation before buying.

Book your exam separately with the CBR

You can book the theory exam yourself through Mijn CBR, or a training provider can book it for you. Check what to bring to the test centre with the CBR. Once you pass, apply for the licence separately.

If you fail, you take the exam again and pay for that exam again. Exam results from 1 January 2009 onwards have no end date, so you do not have to apply for the licence straight away.

How much does Klein Vaarbewijs 1 cost?

Budget €79.10 in CBR fees if you take the standard exam once. Fees checked on 6 November 2026.

The optional Vaarlicht course costs €10 once for 12 months of access to lessons, practice questions and mock exams. A resit, extra time or an interpreter can add to the cost. If you use an interpreter, you also pay the interpreter separately.

• Standard theory exam · €53.15
• Health declaration · €13.25
• Licence application · €12.70

Can you take the exam if you speak little Dutch?

The CBR offers an exam with an interpreter for people who speak little or no Dutch. The interpreter translates the questions and may not explain them. This costs extra. Check the CBR's conditions and word list before booking.

The course here is available in Dutch and English. The Dutch term appears alongside a technical term the first time it is used in the English lessons. An English-language course does not change the conditions of the CBR exam.

From understanding a rule to taking a mock exam

Start with a topic, look at the situation and answer the lesson questions. You get an explanation with your answer. The full course then lets you practise by topic and take a timed mock exam with a result in exam points.

The questions and mock exams here are our own multiple-choice practice material. CBR drag-and-drop and hotspot questions are not practised here as separate question types. The official exam is booked with the CBR. A good practice result does not guarantee a pass in the real exam.