Coastal boating license: the complete 2026 guide

Planning to rent a motorboat on your Mediterranean holiday? Thinking about buying your first RIB? Or perhaps you simply want to understand French boating regulations before sailing in French waters? The permis côtier (coastal boating license) is the essential qualification for anyone operating a powered vessel in France. Over 80,000 candidates sit the exam every year. This guide explains everything — whether you are a French resident or an international visitor wanting to understand the system.

1. What is the coastal license?

The permis plaisance option côtière, commonly known as the permis côtier, is the standard boating license for recreational motor-powered navigation in France. It authorises the holder to operate a motorboat of any size up to 6 nautical miles from shelter (approximately 11 km).

The 6-mile limit is measured from the nearest shelter — meaning a port, a protected bay, or any location where a vessel can safely take refuge. This zone covers the overwhelming majority of recreational boating activities: coastal day trips, sea fishing, water sports, marina-hopping and island-to-island passages within sight of the coast.

The coastal license is valid for life. Once obtained, there is no renewal process, no refresher course, and no mandatory medical examination. It is a one-time investment for a lifetime of sailing.

The license is issued by the French Maritime Authority (DDTM) and is recognised in all French waters. For international use, holders can request an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) from their local maritime administration — more on this below.

2. Who needs the coastal license?

The rule is straightforward: anyone operating a motorboat exceeding 6 horsepower (4.5 kW) must hold the coastal license to navigate within 6 nautical miles of shelter in French waters.

A license IS required for:

• Motorboats over 6 HP (outboard, inboard, RIBs, jet skis)
• Sailing boats with an engine over 6 HP, when the engine is being used
• Towing a water skier or towable inflatable

A license is NOT required for:

• Sailing boats without an engine or with an engine of 6 HP or less
• Motorboats of 6 HP or less (small tenders, dinghies)
• Non-motorised watercraft (kayaks, paddleboards, dinghies)
• Inland waterways (rivers, canals) — these require a separate inland waterways license

Important note for visitors: if you hold a valid boating license from your home country, it is generally accepted in French waters for temporary stays. However, regulations vary, and carrying an ICC alongside your national license eliminates any ambiguity during inspections.

3. Requirements and prerequisites

The entry requirements are accessible and straightforward:

• Minimum age: 16 years at the time of the exam
• Medical fitness: a medical certificate dated within the last 6 months, issued by any general practitioner
• Passport photo and valid ID
• Proof of address dated within the last 6 months
• Government fee: €78 (2026 rate), payable online

There is no educational prerequisite and no requirement to hold a driving license. You can take the coastal boating exam with zero prior experience. Minors aged 16–18 need a signed parental consent form.

4. The training syllabus

Training is split into two parts: theoretical classroom work and practical on-water training. The total duration varies from a few days to a few weeks depending on the school and your chosen pace.

Theory component

The theoretical syllabus covers all the knowledge required for safe coastal navigation:

• Maritime buoyage — cardinal marks, lateral marks, isolated danger marks, safe water marks, special marks
• Navigation lights and signals — running lights, distress signals, sound signals
• Rules of the road — right of way, collision avoidance, visibility sectors
• Safety — mandatory equipment, VHF channel 16, alert procedures, man overboard
• Marine weather — reading a forecast, Beaufort scale, signs of approaching bad weather
• Chart reading — basic symbology, depth markings, hazards
• Marine environment — coastal protection, marine reserves, eco-friendly boating practices
• Engine basics — operating principles, pre-departure checks, common faults

Most boat schools offer 5 to 8 hours of classroom instruction, either in person or via video conference. Many also provide unlimited online practice quizzes, which are invaluable for exam preparation.

Practical component

The practical training takes place on a training vessel, typically a RIB or a dedicated boat-school craft. The minimum mandatory duration is 3 hours 30 minutes, covering:

• Pre-departure safety checks
• Harbour manoeuvres: berthing, departing, mooring
• Navigation at various speeds
• Man overboard (MOB) recovery drill
• Anchoring and anchor retrieval
• VHF radio use

5. The exam: theory and practical

Theory exam (multiple choice)

The theory exam is a 40-question multiple-choice test. You need at least 35 correct answers out of 40 to pass (a maximum of 5 errors), giving a pass threshold of 87.5%.

Questions cover the full theory syllabus: buoyage, lights, rules of the road, safety, weather, environment. Each question has several options with one correct answer. There is no negative marking.

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Pass mark: 35/40 (5 errors maximum)
• National pass rate: approximately 85% on the first attempt

Practical assessment

The practical component is assessed by your boat school instructor during the mandatory training session. Unlike a driving test, there is no external examiner — your instructor validates your competence based on your performance during the practical hours. Skills assessed include pre-departure checks, harbour handling, open-water navigation, and the man overboard drill.

If you fail the theory test, you can retake it unlimited times within 18 months of your registration, without needing to redo the practical training.

6. How much does it cost?

The total budget for obtaining the coastal license in 2026 breaks down as follows:

• Boat school training: between €200 and €350 depending on the school, region and options (e-learning, extra practical hours). Coastal cities and the Mediterranean tend to be slightly more expensive.
• Government fee: €78 (mandatory, payable online)
• Medical certificate: €0–25 depending on your doctor (often included in a standard consultation)
• Passport photos: approximately €5

All in, expect a total budget of €280 to €460. For a license that is valid for life, this is a very reasonable investment.

Compare several boat schools before enrolling. Price differences are significant and do not always reflect training quality. Check online reviews, the number of practical hours included, and the school's pass rate.

7. Coastal vs. offshore license

The permis hauturier (offshore license) extends the coastal license to allow navigation beyond 6 nautical miles from shelter, with no distance limit.

• Coastal license: up to 6 miles from shelter, MCQ + practical, available from age 16
• Offshore license: unlimited distance, more demanding theory exam (celestial navigation, tidal calculations, advanced chart work), requires the coastal license as a prerequisite

The offshore license is essential for island crossings (Corsica, Balearics, Channel Islands) or any open-water passage where you may be more than 6 miles from the nearest shelter. If you are just starting out, begin with the coastal license — it covers 90% of recreational boating needs.

8. International recognition and the ICC

The French coastal license is directly valid in French waters. For sailing in other countries, you can obtain an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) from your local maritime authority. The ICC is recognised by most European countries through a UN resolution and greatly simplifies charter arrangements and port inspections abroad.

If you hold a boating license from another country, check whether your home country has a reciprocal recognition agreement with France. Many EU countries recognise each other's licenses. Non-EU visitors should carry their national license plus an ICC if available from their home country.

For UK sailors post-Brexit, the RYA Day Skipper or Powerboat Level 2 certificate combined with an ICC is generally accepted in French waters. However, regulations evolve, so always verify current requirements before your trip.

9. Tips to pass first time

For the theory exam

1. Do hundreds of practice questions — aim for 200–300 before the exam. Free quiz apps and websites are widely available.
2. Master the buoyage system — buoyage questions come up in every exam. You need to identify cardinal, lateral and special marks instantly.
3. Learn the navigation lights — lights for sailing vessels, fishing boats, trawlers, vessels restricted in ability to manoeuvre. These appear frequently.
4. Do not neglect safety and environment questions — they are often considered "easy" but make up a significant portion of the exam. Free points.
5. Read each question carefully — 30 minutes for 40 questions is generous. Watch out for double negatives and trick wording.

For the practical

• Be attentive from the first minute — the practical session goes by quickly. Ask questions and request extra time on manoeuvres you find difficult.
• Practise the MOB drill — this is the key assessment point. Approach downwind, cut the engine at the right moment, keep the "casualty" in sight at all times.
• Book extra hours if needed — the mandatory 3.5 hours is a minimum. If you do not feel confident, most schools offer additional practical sessions at a reduced rate.

Conclusion

The French coastal boating license is an accessible, affordable and rewarding qualification that opens the door to a lifetime of powered boating on some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. With solid preparation for the theory exam and a few hours of practical training, you can have your license in hand within a matter of weeks.

The most important thing is to choose a reputable boat school, put in the revision time, and respect the sea once you have your license in your pocket. Fair winds and following seas.