Getting a Dutch boating licence: steps and costs

Step 1: work out which licence you need

Start with your boat. A small craft licence is required for a pleasure boat shorter than 15 metres that can exceed 20 km/h, and for a pleasure boat from 15 metres up to 25 metres. If your boat is shorter than 15 metres and cannot exceed 20 km/h, you do not need a licence.

Then look at the water. KVB1 is enough for rivers, canals, lakes and the Gouwzee. Waters including the IJsselmeer, Markermeer and Waddenzee need KVB2. For that, you pass the KVB1 and KVB2 theory exams.

Step 2: prepare for the theory exam

The CBR lists self-study with a theory book, an online course, lessons with a training provider, or a combination. So you choose how you study.

Vaarlicht is one such online course, for KVB1. The first 3 lessons are free, with no account. The full course is €10 once for 12 months of access, with practice questions and mock exams.

Step 3: book and take the theory exam

You book the exam through Mijn CBR, or a training provider books it for you. You take it on a computer at a CBR test centre. The KVB1 exam has 40 questions in 60 minutes and costs €53.15. You pass with 56 out of 80 points.

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

Step 4: complete the health declaration

The CBR advises doing this only after you have passed every exam for your licence. You complete the declaration through Mijn CBR with DigiD and pay €13.25. If you cannot do this online, you can ask CBR customer service for a printed form.

You hear back within 4 weeks. Sometimes you need to see a doctor first. You pay that bill yourself.

Step 5: apply for your licence

Once you have been told that you are fit enough to sail, you apply for the licence through Mijn CBR. This costs €12.70. Do this within 6 months, or within 3 months if you had to see a doctor. After that, the outcome of your health declaration is no longer valid. The card arrives by post.

A boating licence usually stays valid. You only need to renew it if it was issued for a shorter period for medical reasons.

How long does it take?

That depends mainly on how quickly you learn the material and when an exam slot is free. The CBR gives no total duration. It only gives a term for the health declaration: you hear back within 4 weeks.

How much does a boating licence cost in total?

For KVB1 you pay €79.10 to the CBR if you take the exam once. Your preparation comes on top of that. KVB2 also adds the KVB2 theory exam at €63.25. Fees checked on 6 November 2026.