• Motor Boat Licences can only be obtained by completing a BoatSafe Practical Course with an Accredited Provider.
  • Fees apply
  • The motor boat licence is valid for a three year period (pro rata). Licences all have a common expiry date.  It is not a requirement to carry your licence when on the water in Tasmania but MAST by-laws stipulate that, if requested, the licence must be produced within 14 days.
  • Plastic licence cards are no longer automatically issued.  If you would like to purchase a plastic card, complete the ‘Application for Plastic Licence Card’ form and lodge at any Service Tasmania Service Centre together with evidence of identity and the current plastic licence card fee.
    • MAST has been advised by a number of hire companies both overseas and in Australia that producing a plastic licence card is not necessary when hiring a vessel.
  • A motor boat licence is for recreational boating only. You will need a Certificate of Competency to operate a vessel commercially.
  • You can check the validity of your licence through the online Licence Check
  • Please note that licences are valid for three years.  All licences have a common expiry date of 30 June 2024.  If you hold a current licence, a renewal will be forwarded to you prior to June 2024.
  • It is recommended you obtain and study the MAST Safe Boating Handbook prior to undertaking the licence test. The handbook is available to download from this website. Alternatively, you can obtain a copy from your local Service Tasmania shop or from the MAST Office. Cost is $5.00
  • An online practice test is available on the MAST website.  The test comprises 25 randomly selected questions from a pool of 190 questions.   This test is an opportunity for those about to undertake their Licence training to check their knowledge of the boating rules, safety equipment requirements and fundamental collision avoidance rules.

All answers are available in the MAST Safe Boating Handbook below.

Provisional Licence

A Provisional Licence is available for children aged between 12 and 17 years of age.

The Provisional Licence is gained the same way as a full licence.

The following restrictions apply to provisional licence holders:

  • must be accompanied by a responsible adult
  • must not take charge of a motor boat at night
  • must not at any time exceed a speed of 20 knots
  • must not tow a skier

At the end of your provisional licence period:

  • You will receive a renewal notice by mail
  • Upon payment, you will be issued with a full Motor Boat Licence effective from your 17th birthday
  • The expiry date of your full Motor Boat Licence will be printed on your renewal notice

Hire and drive vessels

Hire and drive vessels that do not exceed 8 knots can be operated without a boat licence provided adequate training to operate the boat safely is received.
All hire and drive vessels should carry a hire and drive certificate.

Recognising other Licences

MAST will recognise a current licence issued in another state. (This must be transferred to a Tasmanian Motor Boat Licence within three months).

Other qualifications may be assessed on a case by case basis.

Certificate of Competency holders wishing to operate a registered recreational vessel in Tasmanian waters require a Recreational Motor Boat Licence.  Certificate of Competency holders will not be required to undertake the practical boat licence course, but payment of the triennial Recreational Motor Boat Licence fee is required. A Recognition of Recreational Motor Boat Licence Application Form will need to be submitted to MAST.