Fast motorboats, the 20 km/h rule and the Klein Vaarbewijs
1The lesson in plain words
A fast motorboat is a small craft able to exceed 20 km/h under engine power. It needs registration, a licence and safety gear; speed permissions still apply.
What a fast motorboat is
A snelle motorboot (fast motorboat) is a small craft that can go faster than 20 km/h through the water under its own engine. Jet skis count. Its maximum capability counts, even if you always drive slowly.
The 20 km/h rule
The normal maximum is 20 km/h unless the competent authority permits faster boating on that stretch. E.21 marks fast-boating water; check its times and any local speed limit. Water skiing is banned except where E.17 allows it by day, and you need a lookout aged at least 15. Use the designated seat unless your boat permits safe standing control. Wear a lifejacket when standing at an open helm.
Registration and gear
Register with the RDW (Dutch vehicle authority) and carry its registration certificate. Display its mark on both sides, normally at least 150 mm high; 100 mm is allowed if construction prevents the standard size. Keep a lifejacket within reach for everyone and a fire extinguisher aboard. At an open helm, use a kill switch whenever underway. Attach any kill cord to yourself so it stops propulsion if you fall from the helm. Enclosed inside steering is exempt.
The Klein Vaarbewijs
A Klein Vaarbewijs is the Dutch small-craft licence. You need one for a pleasure craft from 15 m to under 25 m, or a motorboat under 15 m able to exceed 20 km/h through the water under engine power. Klein Vaarbewijs I covers most rivers, canals and lakes. II also covers designated large waters, including the IJsselmeer, Waddenzee and Scheldt estuaries. See the boating-licence guide.
Ages
The helmsman of a fast motorboat must be at least 18. For a large ship, a slower small motorboat or a sailing boat of 7 m or more, the minimum is 16. An open motorboat under 7 m with a top speed of at most 13 km/h may be steered from 12.
2Key data
- Fast motorboat
- Small craft able to exceed 20 km/h under engine power through water
- Speed limit
- Normally 20 km/h; designated exceptions and local limits apply
- Klein Vaarbewijs
- 15 to < 25 m, or < 15 m motorboat able to exceed 20 km/h
- Minimum helm age
- 18 fast motorboats; 16 generally; 12 open motorboats <7 m, ≤13 km/h
- Registration letters
- Normally ≥ 150 mm; construction exception ≥ 100 mm
3Key points
- 1
A small craft able to exceed 20 km/h through the water under engine power is a fast motorboat. Jet skis count.
- 2
Keep to 20 km/h unless faster boating is permitted here; check E.21 and local conditions.
- 3
Fast motorboats need RDW registration, lifejackets and an extinguisher; with an open helm, use a kill switch underway.
- 4
Klein Vaarbewijs: 15 to under 25 m, or a motorboat under 15 m able to exceed 20 km/h.
- 5
18 for fast motorboats; normally 16 for others; 12 for open motorboats under 7 m with a top speed of at most 13 km/h.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: I never go faster than 20 km/h, so my 60 hp boat needs no licence.
Right: What counts is what the boat can do. A boat under 15 m able to exceed 20 km/h needs a Klein Vaarbewijs, however you drive it.
Wrong: A 12 m sailing yacht needs a Klein Vaarbewijs.
Right: Length alone triggers it only from 15 m. A 12 m sailing yacht that cannot exceed 20 km/h needs none.
Wrong: A 16-year-old with a licence may drive our fast motorboat.
Right: The helmsman of a fast motorboat must be at least 18, unless an exemption for club training or racing applies.
5Practice case & exam keys
At Enkhuizen, you rent a 5 m motorboat capable of 50 km/h for the IJsselmeer. You hold Klein Vaarbewijs I and plan to tow a 14-year-old water skier in daylight in an E.17 area. Only you and the skier are present. What must change?
Show the answer
You need Klein Vaarbewijs II for this fast motorboat on the IJsselmeer. You also need a separate lookout aged at least 15 aboard the boat; the skier cannot fill that role. Keep to 20 km/h unless faster boating is permitted on that stretch. Check E.21, designated exceptions and any lower local limit.
Exam keys
- BPR 1.01: snelle motorboot = small craft able to exceed 20 km/h through the water under engine power.
- BPR 8.01–8.06: registration, gear, kill switch; normally 20 km/h, designated exceptions/local limits apply; lookout ≥ 15 when towing.
- Binnenvaartbesluit art. 16: KVB for 15 to < 25 m, or < 15 m able to exceed 20 km/h; KVB I vs II.
- BPR 1.09: 18 fast motorboats; normally 16 otherwise; 12 open motorboats <7 m and ≤13 km/h.
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