Find a School
Boat Schools
Near You
BoatPass covers the theory for your German boat licence. For practical training and exam registration, you need a boat school. Find one in your city below.
BoatPass + Boat School = Ready for the exam
BoatPass is your theory learning app: the complete official ELWIS question catalogue with exam simulation and mistake training. A boat school provides practical training on the water, knot practice and helps with exam registration. Together, they cover everything you need for your German boat licence.
Boat Schools by City
Select your city to find boat schools, waterway information, exam locations and costs.
Berlin
Berlin Spree, Havel, Dahme, Müggelsee, Wannsee and numerous canals
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Hamburg
Hamburg Elbe, Alster, Bille, Dove Elbe, Hamburg harbour and North Sea access
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München
Bayern Isar, Ammersee, Starnberger See, Chiemsee, Tegernsee and near Lake Constance
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Köln
Nordrhein-Westfalen Rhine, numerous old arms, Fühlinger See and adjacent canals
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Düsseldorf
Nordrhein-Westfalen Rhine, Unterbacher See, Elbsee and Benrather Schlossweiher
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Frankfurt am Main
Hessen Main, Nidda and connection to the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal
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Stuttgart
Baden-Württemberg Neckar, Max-Eyth-See, Lake Constance within day-trip reach
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Kiel
Schleswig-Holstein Kiel Fjord, Baltic Sea, Kiel Canal and Kiel Bay
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Rostock
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Baltic Sea, Warnow, Warnemünde and access to the Mecklenburg Lake District
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Bremen
Bremen Weser, Lesum, Werdersee and North Sea access via Bremerhaven
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Hannover
Niedersachsen Mittelland Canal, Maschsee, Steinhuder Meer and Leine
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Dresden
Sachsen Elbe, Malter Reservoir, Pöhl Reservoir and Saxon Switzerland
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Lübeck
Schleswig-Holstein Trave, Lübeck Bay, Baltic Sea and Elbe-Lübeck Canal
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a boat school to get my German boat licence?
No. A boat school is not legally required for the theory exam. The official ELWIS question catalogue is freely available, and you can prepare independently with an app like BoatPass. However, most candidates benefit from practical training at a boat school for the hands-on part of the exam.
What does a boat school cost in Germany?
Prices vary by city and licence type. A full course (theory + practical) typically costs between 400 and 800 euros on top of the official exam fees (around 130 euros for SBF Inland, 148 euros for SBF Coastal). By studying the theory yourself with BoatPass for 9.99 euros, you can save the largest portion of those course fees.
How do I choose the right boat school?
Look for a school that is certified by the DMYV or DSV, offers practical training on waterways you plan to use, and has flexible scheduling. Reviews on Google Maps are a good starting point. Many schools offer a free introductory session so you can see if the teaching style suits you.
Can I learn theory with BoatPass and only do the practical at a school?
Yes, and this is the most cost-effective approach. BoatPass covers the complete official ELWIS question catalogue with exam simulation and mistake training. You then book only the practical lessons at a boat school for the on-water manoeuvres and exam registration.