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.
W skrócie
Oficjalny egzamin ma 60 pytań. Aby zdać: 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. Limit czasu: 50 minut. Egzamin przeprowadza: Cantonal navigation offices (Schifffahrtsämter), working together in the vks. Minimalny wiek: 18 for category A (motor boats); 14 for category D (sailing boats). Ćwicz tu za darmo na 60 pytaniach, każde z odpowiedzią i wyjaśnieniem. Sprawdzono z oficjalnymi źródłami 11 października 2026.
-
Pytanie 1 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: 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.
-
Pytanie 2 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: D. More than 15 m²
Sailing boats with more than 15 m² of sail area need a category D licence.
-
Pytanie 3 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: 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.
-
Pytanie 4 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: B. More than 12 m²
Lake Constance uses 12 m² instead of the usual 15 m².
-
Pytanie 5 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: B. Category A
Category A covers motor boats over 6 kW that are not passenger or cargo boats.
-
Pytanie 6 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: C. Category D
Category D is the sailing licence.
-
Pytanie 7 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: A. 18
You must be at least 18 for category A.
-
Pytanie 8 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: D. 14
Category D can be obtained from age 14.
-
Pytanie 9 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: C. At least 14
Operators of motor boats up to 6.0 kW must be at least 14.
-
Pytanie 10 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: A. 16
Under the Inland Navigation Ordinance, crew members must be at least 16.
-
Pytanie 11 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: B. Passenger boats carrying more than 12 people commercially
Category B is for commercial passenger boats. The minimum age is 21.
-
Pytanie 12 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: D. Cargo boats, push boats and tug boats
Category C is for motorised cargo boats and push or towing boats.
-
Pytanie 13 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: D. Boats of special design, such as weed-mowing boats
Category E covers boats of special construction. The minimum age is 20.
-
Pytanie 14 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: 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.
-
Pytanie 15 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: 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.
-
Pytanie 16 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: C. The area written in the boat's certificate
The registered sail area in the boat certificate counts, not the sails actually set.
-
Pytanie 17 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: D. Exchange it for a Swiss licence
Residents of more than 12 months must change a foreign boat licence into a Swiss one.
-
Pytanie 18 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: D. 14 days
Changes of address or personal data must be reported to the boating authority within 14 days.
-
Pytanie 19 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: C. Code 06
Code 06 on the licence extends it to border waters.
-
Pytanie 20 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: D. 60
The theory exam has 60 multiple-choice questions.
-
Pytanie 21 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: 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.
-
Pytanie 22 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: B. 15
With up to 15 error points out of 180 possible points, the exam is passed.
-
Pytanie 23 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: 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.
-
Pytanie 24 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: B. 50 minutes
The exam lasts a maximum of 50 minutes.
-
Pytanie 25 z 25
Pokaż odpowiedź
Odpowiedź: C. 24 months
You have 24 months. After that you must take the theory exam again.
Klawiatura: 1–4, aby odpowiedzieć, Enter – następne pytanie.
Prawdziwy egzamin: 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.
Co warto wiedzieć przed egzaminem
- 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.
Najczęściej zadawane pytania
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.
Źródła
- vks: Schiffstheorieprüfung (boat theory exam)
- vks: Category A – motor boats
- vks: Informationen (licence thresholds and ages)
- vks: FAQ boat licence
- vks leaflet 16: Licence requirement for boats
- vks leaflet 6: Stand-up paddling
- Federal Office of Transport: Leisure boating
- Federal Office of Transport: Prevention on the water
- Canton of Zurich: Boat licence categories
- Canton of Zurich: Boat licence exam
- Canton of Zurich: Theory exams
- Canton of Zurich: Boat equipment
- Canton of Zurich: Safety on the water
- Storm warning service, Lake Zurich
- Canton of Zurich: Boat reporting and cleaning duty
- Inland Navigation Ordinance (BSV, Fedlex)