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Danish boat licence (duelighedsbevis)

The digital duelighed sønæringsbevis lets you operate a covered speedboat and serve as a qualified mate on recreational boats from 15 m to under 24 m in specified waters. It does not qualify you to be the skipper of those boats or to work commercially on the strength of the certificate alone.

Guide: Danish boat licence (duelighedsbevis)

Duelighedsbevis questions and answers

How old do I need to be to get a duelighedsbevis?
You must be at least 18 and meet the legal-capacity requirements to apply for the digital duelighed sønæringsbevis. This is the certificate application age, rather than an exam-entry age.
Can a speedbådsbevis count towards a duelighed sønæringsbevis?
Yes. A valid speedbådsbevis and a passed duelighed theory exam meet the examination requirement for the digital duelighed sønæringsbevis. They do not show that you passed both duelighed exams.
Do both passed duelighed exams also count for a speedbådsbevis?
Yes. Both passed duelighed exams can be used to obtain a speedbådsbevis without another speedboat exam.
How much does a duelighedsbevis cost?
The digital certificate issue fee is DKK 855. Exam fees are separate and set by the approved provider.
Does a duelighedsbevis cover a personal watercraft?
No. A vandscooterbevis is a separate certificate for a personal watercraft.
Can I use a Danish duelighedsbevis abroad?
It can generally be used on a Danish recreational boat abroad, subject to the destination's additional rules. Acceptance for foreign boat hire is not guaranteed.

Denmark · Søfartsstyrelsen

The duelighed exam covers collision regulations, navigation, safety at sea, fire prevention and firefighting in small craft, and protection of the marine environment. Practise COLREG rules, IALA buoyage, lights and shapes, and sound signals here; study the rest of the syllabus with the official material.

Søfartsstyrelsen: Duelighedsbevis ·

Who is the duelighedsbevis for?

It is for recreational sailors who need the qualified-mate role on the relevant boats, as well as people preparing for the theory and practical exams. It is not a skipper qualification.

What the exam covers

Free practice: COLREG, IALA, lights and signals

Practice questions (with answers)

  1. When obliged to cross a traffic lane, what heading should a vessel use?

    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. As nearly as practicable at right angles to the traffic flow

    Rule 10(c): avoid crossing traffic lanes so far as practicable; if obliged to cross, use a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. This specifies heading, not ground track.

  2. For vessels in sight of one another, an overtaking vessel:

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    Correct answer: B. Shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken

    Rule 13(a): any vessel overtaking shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.

  3. Two power-driven vessels in sight meet on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses with risk of collision. Under Rule 14, each shall:

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    Correct answer: B. Alter course to starboard

    Rule 14(a): each shall alter course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other.

  4. Two power-driven vessels in sight are crossing with risk of collision. The give-way vessel has the other on her:

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    Correct answer: B. Starboard side

    Rule 15: the vessel which has the other on her starboard side shall keep out of the way.

  5. How does IALA Region B differ from Region A?

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    Correct answer: B. The colours are reversed — red to starboard

    Region A: port-hand red, starboard-hand green. Region B: port-hand green, starboard-hand red. Interpret both in the charted conventional direction of buoyage.

  6. An East Cardinal mark shows how many quick flashes?

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    Correct answer: B. 3 flashes

    White lights, when fitted: North Q or VQ; East VQ(3) 5 s or Q(3) 10 s; South VQ(6)+LFl 10 s or Q(6)+LFl 15 s; West VQ(9) 10 s or Q(9) 15 s. The long flash lasts at least 2 s.

  7. If fitted, the topmark of an isolated danger mark is:

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    Correct answer: B. Two black spheres vertically

    Isolated danger marks have two black spheres (balls) as topmark. (if fitted).

  8. Safe water marks are used as:

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    Correct answer: B. Fairway or mid-channel marks

    Safe water marks are used as fairway, mid-channel, or landfall marks.

Practise more questions in the free test →

How to get your digital certificate

Choose an approved provider and pass the theory and practical duelighed exams. Have the required eyesight and hearing examination, including colour vision, within the previous 3 years. Then apply to Søfartsstyrelsen using MitID and a payment card.