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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.

  • Varen
  • Zwitserland
  • 60 vragen
  • Gecontroleerd op 11 oktober 2026

Kort antwoord

Het officiële examen heeft 60 vragen. Geslaagd: 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. Tijdslimiet: 50 minuten. Afgenomen door: Cantonal navigation offices (Schifffahrtsämter), working together in the vks. Minimumleeftijd: 18 for category A (motor boats); 14 for category D (sailing boats). Oefen hier gratis met 60 vragen, elk met het antwoord en een uitleg. Gecontroleerd aan de hand van officiële bronnen op 11 oktober 2026.

Lees dit voordat je gaat oefenenBegin met de Swiss Boat Licence Study Guide: notities in begrijpelijke taal, schema’s en de getallen die je moet onthouden.

  1. Vraag 1 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 2 van 25

    Above what sail area does a sailing boat need a licence on most Swiss waters?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: D. More than 15 m²

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

  3. Vraag 3 van 25

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

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 4 van 25

    On Lake Constance, above what sail area is a licence needed?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: B. More than 12 m²

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

  5. Vraag 5 van 25

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

    Antwoord: B. Category A

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

  6. Vraag 6 van 25

    Which licence category is for sailing boats with more than 15 m² of sail?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: C. Category D

    Category D is the sailing licence.

  7. Vraag 7 van 25

    What is the minimum age for a category A motor boat licence?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: A. 18

    You must be at least 18 for category A.

  8. Vraag 8 van 25

    What is the minimum age for a category D sailing licence?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: D. 14

    Category D can be obtained from age 14.

  9. Vraag 9 van 25

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

    Antwoord: C. At least 14

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

  10. Vraag 10 van 25

    What is the minimum age for crew members on a licence-required boat?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: A. 16

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

  11. Vraag 11 van 25

    What does licence category B cover?
    Toon antwoord

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

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

  12. Vraag 12 van 25

    What does licence category C cover?
    Toon antwoord

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

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

  13. Vraag 13 van 25

    Which boats need a category E licence?
    Toon antwoord

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

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

  14. Vraag 14 van 25

    Do you need a learner licence to practise driving a motor boat in canton Zurich?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 15 van 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?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 16 van 25

    For the 15 m² limit, which sail area counts?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: C. The area written in the boat's certificate

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

  17. Vraag 17 van 25

    You have lived in Switzerland for more than 12 months and hold a foreign boat licence. What must you do?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: D. Exchange it for a Swiss licence

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

  18. Vraag 18 van 25

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

    Antwoord: D. 14 days

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

  19. Vraag 19 van 25

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

    Antwoord: C. Code 06

    Code 06 on the licence extends it to border waters.

  20. Vraag 20 van 25

    How many questions are in the Swiss boat theory exam?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: D. 60

    The theory exam has 60 multiple-choice questions.

  21. Vraag 21 van 25

    How many answers does each theory exam question have?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 22 van 25

    How many error points may you have and still pass the boat theory exam?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: B. 15

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

  23. Vraag 23 van 25

    How is an error point counted in the boat theory exam?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 24 van 25

    How much time do you have for the boat theory exam?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: B. 50 minutes

    The exam lasts a maximum of 50 minutes.

  25. Vraag 25 van 25

    After passing the theory exam, how long do you have to pass the practical exam?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: C. 24 months

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

Wat je moet weten voor het examen

  • 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.

Veelgestelde vragen

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.

Bronnen

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