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SBF Inland SBF Coastal UBI SRC LRC

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How you learn with BoatPass

Four clear steps to your exam – from your first study block to a confident exam simulation.

01

Start every day

BoatPass shows you right away where it makes sense to carry on – no searching around.

Boatpass app – home screen with daily goal, streak and study modes
02

Understand the questions

Not just right or wrong: explanations and mnemonics make the material click.

Boatpass app – question with explanation and mnemonic
03

See your progress

In the logbook you see at a glance which topics you have already mastered.

Boatpass app – logbook with progress per category
04

Pass the exam

With realistic exam simulations and a performance curve, you know when you are ready.

Boatpass app – exam area with performance curve
Free finder

Which boating licence
do you really need?

3 quick questions about your waters, engine power and radio – and in 30 seconds you’ll know which licence (SBF Inland, SBF Coastal) and radio certificate (UBI, SRC, LRC) fits your plans.

Waters Engine power Radio
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Marius Gehler, developer of Boatpass, at the helm of a sailing boat

Hi, I'm Marius.

Founder & developer of BoatPass

I build BoatPass myself and bring the official ELWIS questions straight into the app. When you write to me, your message reaches me directly.

  • Official questions
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Official question catalogues

Choose your licence

Every question comes from the official catalogue in the edition valid for 2026. When the catalogue changes, the new questions reach the app at no extra cost.

SBF – Boating licences
SBF Binnen
Current catalogue
300 questions
€9.99 one-time · no subscription
  • Official question catalogue
  • Explanation & mnemonic for every question
  • Exam simulation
Start for free → View details →
SBF See
Current catalogue
420 questions
€9.99 one-time · no subscription
  • Official question catalogue
  • Explanation & mnemonic for every question
  • Exam simulation
Start for free → View details →
★ Popular
+
Inland + Coastal
Both question catalogues incl. all study features
€16.98 instead of €19.98 Save €3.00
Choose bundle →
SBF Binnen
Current catalogue
300 questions
€9.99 one-time · no subscription
  • Official question catalogue
  • Explanation & mnemonic for every question
  • Exam simulation
Start for free → View details →
★ Popular
+
Inland + Coastal
Both question catalogues incl. all study features
€16.98 €19.98 Save €3.00
Choose bundle →
Radio certificates

Unlocked separately – no boating licence required.

SRC
Current catalogue
Sea radio (coastal)
€7.99 one-time
Learn more →
UBI
Current catalogue
Inland radio
€7.99 one-time
Learn more →
LRC
Current catalogue
Sea radio (worldwide)
€9.99 one-time
Learn more →
You can verify what you are studying with.

For every licence you can see the official question catalogue here, its valid edition and a direct link to the source on ELWIS. Check it yourself.

All 5 catalogues with edition and source
License Official question catalog Official edition Official source
SBF Binnen Question & answer catalog · inland waterways valid since 01 Aug 2023 View on ELWIS ↗
SBF See Question & answer catalog · maritime waterways valid since 01 Aug 2023 View on ELWIS ↗
SRC SRC catalog · sea radio (coastal) valid since 01 Oct 2018 View on ELWIS ↗
LRC LRC catalog · sea radio (worldwide) valid since 01 Feb 2024 View on ELWIS ↗
UBI UBI catalog · VHF inland radio valid since 01 Oct 2018 new edition from 01 Oct 2026 View on ELWIS ↗
SBF Binnen valid since 01 Aug 2023
Question & answer catalog · inland waterways
View on ELWIS ↗
SBF See valid since 01 Aug 2023
Question & answer catalog · maritime waterways
View on ELWIS ↗
SRC valid since 01 Oct 2018
SRC catalog · sea radio (coastal)
View on ELWIS ↗
LRC valid since 01 Feb 2024
LRC catalog · sea radio (worldwide)
View on ELWIS ↗
UBI valid since 01 Oct 2018 new edition from 01 Oct 2026
UBI catalog · VHF inland radio
View on ELWIS ↗

The date shows when each official edition came into force – not how old the questions are. Every catalog listed here is authoritative for the 2026 exam year. When a new edition is published, we build it in automatically.

All catalogs are published via ELWIS on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) and the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration. Only the announcement in the Verkehrsblatt is legally binding.

This overview as of: September 2026 The official publication always prevails – the linked ELWIS pages always show the currently valid edition.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the German boating license (SBF)?
The Sportbootführerschein (SBF) is Germany’s official license for powered recreational boats – issued as SBF Inland or SBF Coastal depending on the waters. It requires passing a theory and a practical exam based on the official ELWIS question catalog from DSV and DMYV.

What’s the difference between SBF Inland and SBF Coastal?
The SBF Inland covers inland waterways, while the SBF Coastal covers coastal and offshore waters. The SBF Coastal exam also includes a navigation task with 9 questions that isn’t part of the SBF Inland exam.

How much does the German boating license cost?
Official exam fees are €130.78 for the SBF Inland and €148.38 for the SBF Coastal. With a preparation course, total costs in 2026 are usually €500–650 per license – learning the theory yourself with an app saves the course fee.

Find more answers in the German boating license FAQ.

Guides

Tips & Knowledge

All articles →
Exam Knowledge New

COLREGs (KVR): The Key Collision Regulations at a Glance

The collision regulations (COLREGs, German KVR) explained simply: structure, where they apply, and the key rules from lookout to give-way duties.

Marius Gehler Marius Gehler Sep 25, 2026 · 7 min
Exam Knowledge New

Traffic Separation Schemes: Rules for Recreational Boaters

Traffic separation schemes explained simply: layout, COLREGs Rule 10, and how to cross correctly, give way, and use the inshore traffic zone as a boater.

Marius Gehler Marius Gehler Sep 24, 2026 · 8 min
Exam Knowledge New

Boat Wake and Suction: Consideration and Liability

Wake and suction from your own boat: what damage they cause, what the rules require, and who is liable. Being considerate toward other water users.

Marius Gehler Marius Gehler Sep 17, 2026 · 6 min

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