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Swiss Boat Licence Theory Practice Test 2026

Practise for the theory exam for a Swiss boat licence (Schiffsführerausweis), needed for motor boats over 6 kW (category A) and sailing boats over 15 m² (category D). The same theory exam is used for all categories. This practice covers licence rules, equipment, shore zones, storm warnings and safe behaviour on Swiss waters.

  • Boating
  • Switzerland
  • 60 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

The Swiss boat licence theory exam (Schiffsführerausweis, categories A and D) has 60 questions. Pass mark: At most 15 error points out of 180. Each of the 60 questions has 3 answers, more than one may be correct, and each wrongly judged answer is one error point. Time limit: 50 minutes. It is run by Cantonal navigation offices (Schifffahrtsämter), working together in the vks. Minimum age: 18 for category A (motor boats); 14 for category D (sailing boats). Practise here for free with 60 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the Swiss Boat Licence Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    On most Swiss waters, above what engine power do you need a boat licence?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. More than 6 kW (8 hp)

    A licence is needed for motor boats with more than 6.0 kW. Up to 6 kW, no licence is needed.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    Above what sail area does a sailing boat need a licence on most Swiss waters?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. More than 15 m²

    Sailing boats with more than 15 m² of sail area need a category D licence.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    On Lake Constance (Bodensee), above what engine power is a licence needed?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. More than 4.4 kW (6 hp)

    Lake Constance has a lower limit than other Swiss waters: 4.4 kW instead of 6 kW.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    On Lake Constance, above what sail area is a licence needed?
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    Answer: B. More than 12 m²

    Lake Constance uses 12 m² instead of the usual 15 m².

  5. Question 5 of 25

    Which licence category is needed for a private motor boat with more than 6 kW?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Category A

    Category A covers motor boats over 6 kW that are not passenger or cargo boats.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    Which licence category is for sailing boats with more than 15 m² of sail?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Category D

    Category D is the sailing licence.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    What is the minimum age for a category A motor boat licence?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 18

    You must be at least 18 for category A.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    What is the minimum age for a category D sailing licence?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 14

    Category D can be obtained from age 14.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    How old must you be to steer a motor boat of up to 6 kW, which needs no licence?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 14

    Operators of motor boats up to 6.0 kW must be at least 14.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    What is the minimum age for crew members on a licence-required boat?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 16

    Under the Inland Navigation Ordinance, crew members must be at least 16.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    What does licence category B cover?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Passenger boats carrying more than 12 people commercially

    Category B is for commercial passenger boats. The minimum age is 21.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    What does licence category C cover?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Cargo boats, push boats and tug boats

    Category C is for motorised cargo boats and push or towing boats.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Which boats need a category E licence?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Boats of special design, such as weed-mowing boats

    Category E covers boats of special construction. The minimum age is 20.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Do you need a learner licence to practise driving a motor boat in canton Zurich?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No, but a licence holder of the right category must be with you

    There is no learner licence for boats, but practice trips need an accompanying person with the right licence.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    A sailing boat has both more than 6 kW of engine and more than 15 m² of sail. Which licences does the skipper need?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Both category D and category A

    With sail and motor both over the limits, you need D for sailing and A for the engine.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    For the 15 m² limit, which sail area counts?
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    Answer: C. The area written in the boat's certificate

    The registered sail area in the boat certificate counts, not the sails actually set.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    You have lived in Switzerland for more than 12 months and hold a foreign boat licence. What must you do?
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    Answer: D. Exchange it for a Swiss licence

    Residents of more than 12 months must change a foreign boat licence into a Swiss one.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Within how many days must you report a change of address on your boat licence?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 14 days

    Changes of address or personal data must be reported to the boating authority within 14 days.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    Which Swiss licence code lets category A, C and D holders use border lakes such as Lake Geneva and Lake Constance?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Code 06

    Code 06 on the licence extends it to border waters.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    How many questions are in the Swiss boat theory exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 60

    The theory exam has 60 multiple-choice questions.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    How many answers does each theory exam question have?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Three, and more than one may be correct

    Each question has three answers. You judge each answer, and more than one can be right.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    How many error points may you have and still pass the boat theory exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 15

    With up to 15 error points out of 180 possible points, the exam is passed.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    How is an error point counted in the boat theory exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Each answer judged wrongly counts as one error point

    There are 180 possible points (60 questions × 3 answers); each wrong judgement is one error point.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    How much time do you have for the boat theory exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 50 minutes

    The exam lasts a maximum of 50 minutes.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    After passing the theory exam, how long do you have to pass the practical exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 24 months

    You have 24 months. After that you must take the theory exam again.

What to know before the test

  • You need a licence for motor boats over 6 kW (8 hp) or sailing boats over 15 m² of sail. On Lake Constance the limits are 4.4 kW and 12 m².
  • The theory exam has 60 questions with 3 answers each, and more than one answer can be correct. You pass with up to 15 error points out of 180, in at most 50 minutes.
  • After passing the theory exam you have 24 months to pass the practical exam, or you must retake the theory.
  • Category A needs a minimum age of 18 and category D a minimum age of 14. An eyesight test no older than 24 months is needed unless you already hold a road or boat licence.
  • Every person on board needs a collared life jacket of at least 75 N or a lifebuoy; children under 12 need one that fits.
  • Orange storm warning lights flash about 40 times a minute for a strong wind warning and about 90 times a minute for a storm warning.
  • From a blood alcohol level of 0.8 per mille, the boat licence is withdrawn.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Swiss boat theory exam?

60 multiple-choice questions, each with three answers. More than one answer can be correct, so you judge every answer.

What is the pass mark?

You may have at most 15 error points out of 180. Our mock exam uses single-answer questions, so it asks for 55 of 60 (about 92%), which is the closest fair equivalent.

How long is the exam?

A maximum of 50 minutes, usually on a tablet or computer at the cantonal office.

Do I need a separate theory exam for category A and D?

No. The same theory exam covers all categories. If you already hold one Swiss boat licence, you only take the practical exam for the new category.

Is there a learner licence for boats?

No. In canton Zurich, for example, you can practise without a learner licence if a person with the right licence category is with you.

Can I take the exam in English?

Canton Zurich offers the boat theory exam in German, French and Italian. Check with your cantonal navigation office.

Sources

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