How to obtain a motor boat licence

Obtaining a recreational motor boat licence is an important step towards becoming a safe and responsible skipper or personal watercraft rider.

The licensing process helps ensure boaters understand the rules of the water, navigation requirements, safety equipment obligations and how to respond in an emergency.

Whether you’re new to boating or returning to the water after some time, holding a licence gives you the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions, helping to keep you, your passengers and other waterway users safe. And remember, you must have a licence if you are operating a vessel 4hp or more (*except for a hire and drive vessel).

Motor boat licence checklist and information

If you’re planning to get a motor boat licence and/or a personal watercraft (PWC) endorsement, please read the information below before applying. By reading this information, you will understand eligibility requirements, training options, the application process and fees to help you prepare and complete your application successfully.

Motor boat licences and Personal watercraft (PWC – jet ski) endorsement courses can only be obtained by completing training with an Approved provider.
PWC operators must have a current motor boat licence to obtain a PWC endorsement.
Fees apply to obtain a boat licence or PWC endorsement.
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 it 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 and through myServiceTas if you have linked your MAST boating services.
Licences are valid for three years and all have a common expiry date of 30 June 2027.
If you hold a current licence, a renewal will be forwarded to you prior to June 2027.
It is recommended that you obtain and study the MAST Safe Boating Handbook (handbook) prior to undertaking the licence test.
The handbook is available to download from this website. Alternatively, you can purchase a copy from your local Service Tasmania shop or from MAST’s Office for $5.00

Online motor boat practice test

MAST’s online practice test is available on this 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
know what safety equipment they need
understand boating rules, including fundamental collision-avoidance rules.

My Tasmanian licence has expired. What do I do?

If your Tasmanian licence has been expired for more than 12 months, but less than six years, you may apply by completing the Application for Mutual Recognition of a Motor Boat Licence form.
If your Tasmanian licence has been expired for more than six years, but less than nine years, you may contact MAST at admin@mast.tas.gov.au detailing your recent boating experience. You may be required to complete an oral exam to demonstrate your boating knowledge prior to lodging an application.
If your Tasmanian licence has been expired for more than nine years, you must complete a motor boat licence course with an Accredited Provider.

Is my interstate licence or Certificate of Competency recognised?

If you have or have previously held an Interstate Motor boat licence or Certificate of Competency issued by a Competent Authority that has not expired for more than six years, you may apply by completing the Application for Mutual Recognition of a Motor Boat Licence form.
A copy of the Interstate Licence or Certificate of Competency will need to be provided upon application.
Interstate Motor boat licence holders can operate in Tasmania for a maximum of three (3) months. After this time, boaters must obtain a Tasmanian motor boat licence.

When can a young person apply for a Provisional licence?

A Provisional licence is available for young people 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 17^th 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.