The German Sportbootführerschein (SBF) is the official license for operating motorboats in Germany. This guide covers everything you need to know before your exam – with accurate data from official ELWIS and DMYV sources.
When do you need a boating license?
On German federal waterways, a license is required for boats with more than 11.03 kW (15 HP) engine output (combustion engines) or 7.5 kW (electric motors). Smaller boats don’t require a license, but operators must still follow all traffic rules.
The minimum age to independently operate a motorboat on German inland waterways is 16 years.
The three parts of the SBF exam
All three parts must be passed:
1. Theory exam
Format: Multiple choice, 30 questions, 45 minutes
Source: Official ELWIS question catalog (published by Generaldirektion Wasserstraßen und Schifffahrt)
The 30 questions are split into two blocks that must each be passed separately:
| Block | Questions | Minimum score |
|---|---|---|
| Base questions (general fundamentals) | 7 | at least 5 points |
| Specific inland questions | 23 | at least 18 points |
| Total | 30 | at least 23 points |
Critical: Both blocks must reach their individual minimum. A strong score in one block cannot compensate for a weak score in the other.
Topics covered:
- Navigation – waterway rules, signs, light signals, sound signals
- Maritime law – collision avoidance rules, right of way
- Seamanship – maneuvers, anchoring, safety equipment
- Weather – weather patterns, storm signals, risk situations
- Engine knowledge – propulsion, fuel types, basic maintenance
- Safety – distress signals, rescue equipment, emergency procedures
2. Knot exam
You must correctly demonstrate several sailor’s knots. The most important:
- Bowline (Palstek) – creates a fixed non-slipping loop
- Clove hitch (Webleinstek) – two hitches for securing a line to a post, piling, or bollard
- Figure-eight knot (Achtknoten) – stopper knot
- Square knot (Kreuzknoten) – joins two lines of equal thickness
The knot exam is a standalone exam section – not just a formality. Knots are the most common failure point in the practical SBF exam.
3. Practical exam (on the water)
You must independently operate a boat and demonstrate several maneuvers:
- Docking and undocking (at a jetty, buoy, or in a berth)
- Course keeping and steering
- Man-overboard drill (recovering a floating object)
- Anchoring and weighing anchor
- Reversing
The practical exam usually takes place on your boating school’s training boat, often in a group session with other candidates. While one candidate takes the helm, another is tested on knots in parallel. Per person, the practical part typically takes anywhere from a few minutes to about half an hour, depending on how many maneuvers the examiner asks for.
What documents do you need to register?
The examination board requires more than just the registration form:
- Valid ID document or passport
- Recent passport photo in 35 x 45 mm format, no headwear, with name and date of birth written on the back
- Medical fitness certificate on the official form, including a vision and hearing test. It’s issued by a doctor and stays valid for 12 months from issue date. Certificates for pilots, divers, or professional drivers aren’t accepted
How to register
- Find the DMYV exam committee for your region (list at dmyv.de)
- Complete the registration form and submit the documents listed above
- Pay the exam fee – it must generally arrive at least 7 days before the exam, with the correct payment reference (name, date of birth, exam date). Some committees set longer deadlines, so check directly if unsure
- Bring on exam day: ID document and exam admission notice
Critical: Forgotten documents or an expired fitness certificate can result in being unable to take the exam, or the exam being marked as failed.
What does it cost?
| Item | SBF Inland | SBF Coastal |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee (DMYV) | €130.78 | €148.38 |
| Course fee (typical) | ~€265–299 | ~€370 |
| Total | ~€400–430 | ~€520 |
(As of 07/2026 – exam fees apply nationwide across DMYV/DSV committees, course fees vary by boating school and region. For a full breakdown and money-saving tips, see our SBF cost overview.)
Money-saving tip: If you want both licenses, the combined exam costs only €178.61 in exam fees instead of €279.16 separately (€130.78 + €148.38), over €100 in savings.
How long does preparation take?
For SBF Inland, studying 30–45 minutes daily, 3–6 weeks is realistic for most candidates. Candidates without prior nautical knowledge need extra time for the light signals and right-of-way rules categories. If you’re aiming for SBF Coastal, plan extra time for the added navigation task. Knot practice requires daily physical repetition – no app can replace tying actual knots.
What happens if you fail?
No need to panic: if you fail one part of the exam, you only need to retake that part, not the entire exam. A retake is possible at the earliest the next day, but you’ll need to register again with the examination board and pay a separate, usually lower, fee for the repeated part. There’s no limit on the number of attempts, though a part you’ve already passed only stays valid for a limited time, your examination board sets the exact deadline. For a detailed walkthrough of the retake process and how to prepare more targeted the second time, see Failed the SBF Inland Exam? Here’s What to Do Next.
Summary
The SBF exam is very achievable – if you know the structure. The most common failure reason: not knowing that the two theory blocks must each be passed separately. For more common questions about the German boating license, check our FAQ. Start with the Boatpass app: 15 questions daily for free, official ELWIS catalog, full exam simulation included, so you stay confident right up to exam day.