A motor boat licence allows you to operate a motorised boat in Victorian waters. You can also have your motor boat licence endorsed to operate personal watercraft (e.g. Jet skis).
To be issued with a motor boat licence, you must be at least 12 years of age.
If you are aged 12 years and less than 16 years you can apply for a restricted boat licence or restricted Personal Watercraft (PWC) Endorsement. See conditions of a restricted boat operator licence below.
When you reach the age of 16, the restricted boat operator licence is deemed to be a General boat operator licence. However, you will not be issued with a new General boat operator licence card. You will retain the original card until expiry.
If you are aged 16 years and over, you can apply for a general boat operator licence or PWC Endorsement.
To get your boat operator licence you need to make an appointment to undertake a boat operator knowledge test and an eyesight test.
If you want your licence to be PWC endorsed you will be required to undertake an additional knowledge test.
The boat operator licence test can be taken at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre or any approved training provider. For a listing of approved training providers see the Marine Safety Victoria website.
To prepare for your test you can obtain a free copy of the "Victorian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook" from any VicRoads Customer Service Centre, Marine Safety Victoria website or by calling VicRoads on 13 11 71.
Refer to boat licensing fees for more information on boat licence and knowledge test fees
Call us on 13 11 71 or the Approved Accredited Provider if you want to cancel or change your appointment. You should contact VicRoads at least 24 hours before the test time to ensure you do not forfeit your test fee.
On the day of your test you need to bring your driver licence or learner permit as evidence of identity. If you do not have either of these, you need to bring original evidence of identity documents.
Download the Licence or Learner Permit Application form
If you are issued with a restricted Boat Operator Licence (with or without PWC endorsement), the following restrictions will apply for the duration of the licence period:
You must not operate the boat or PWC at a speed of 10 knots or more:
- unless there is a person who is 16 years or older and holds an operator licence of a class appropriate for that vessel in the vessel.
- before sunrise
- after sunset
You must not operate the boat or PWC at more than 20 knots in any other case
You must not operate a vessel if the vessel is towing a person, another vessel or object.