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
- Cleat hitch (Webleinstek) – attaches line to a cleat 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
How to register
- Find the DMYV exam committee for your region (list at dmyv.de)
- Complete the registration form and submit required documents
- Pay the exam fee – depending on the examination board it must usually arrive one to two weeks before the exam
- Bring on exam day: ID document and exam admission notice
Critical: Forgotten documents 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) | ~€131 | ~€148 |
| Course fee (typical) | ~€265–299 | ~€370 |
| Total | ~€400–430 | ~€520 |
(As of 05/2026 – prices vary by exam committee and region)
Money-saving tip: If you want both licenses, the combined exam costs only ~€179 in exam fees instead of ~€279 separately.
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. Knot practice requires daily physical repetition – no app can replace tying actual knots.
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. Start with the Boatpass app: 15 questions daily for free, official ELWIS catalog, full exam simulation included.