Denmark
- Who issues it
- Søfartsstyrelsen [Danish Maritime Authority]; approved providers issue speedboat, personal watercraft, engine-operation and SRC certificates on its behalf.
- Minimum age
- 16 years
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
- Collision rules
- Søvejsreglerne
Do you need a licence?
Usually no, if your boat is under 15 metres.
You don't need one for:
- a boat under 15 metres that does not meet the planing-boat power trigger
A planing boat needs a licence from 19 kW below 4 metres; from 4 metres to under 15 metres, a length-based power threshold applies. Speedboat and jet-ski operators must be 16 and need separate certificates; at 15 to under 24 metres, skipper certificates start at 18 and depend on the waters, while at 24 metres or more DMA sets manning.
Speedbådsbevis · Speedboat certificate
From 16
- What it lets you do
- You can operate qualifying planing recreational boats under 15 metres. Whether you need it depends on the hull length and engine power.
- How you get it
- You take theory and practical handling, including docking, emergency stops and person-overboard recovery. You can take the test from 15 and operate from 16.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Vandscooterbevis · Personal watercraft certificate
From 16
- What it lets you do
- You can operate jet skis and similar craft covered by the personal-watercraft rules. A speedboat certificate alone does not cover them.
- How you get it
- You take theory and practical handling, including recovery, avoidance manoeuvres and emergency stops. You can take the test from 15 and operate from 16.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Duelighedsbevis i sejlads for fritidssejlere · Certificate of proficiency in recreational navigation
From 18
- What it lets you do
- You can be mate on 15 to under 24 metre yachts in the waters listed in source 1, and it also covers speedboats. Apply for the full certificate after you pass the test.
- How you get it
- You take theory and practical navigation tests. A valid speedboat certificate plus the theory test also meets the exam requirement.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Kanalbevis · Inland waterways certificate
- What it lets you do
- This CEVNI supplement is for European inland waterways on craft up to 15 metres. Local and major-river rules still apply, and it is for sailing abroad.
- How you get it
- After your recreational navigation proficiency certificate, take a supplementary course and a test on CEVNI rules.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Yachtskipper af 3. grad · Yacht skipper, grade 3
From 18
- What it lets you do
- You can skipper 15 to under 24 metre yachts in the Baltic, North Sea, Channel, British Isles, Ireland, Norway and Faroes, and within 30 nautical miles of Greenland's baseline. You can be mate worldwide.
- How you get it
- You take theory in navigation, watchkeeping, weather, seamanship and law, after completing both proficiency tests. Speedboat practical credit is not enough.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Yachtskipper af 1. grad · Yacht skipper, grade 1
From 18- What it lets you do
- You can skipper recreational yachts from 15 to under 24 metres worldwide.
- How you get it
- You take theory in ocean navigation, seamanship, communications, weather and health. You also need the grade 3 test and six months of qualifying sea service.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Duelighedsbevis i motorpasning for fritidssejlere · Certificate of proficiency in recreational engine operation
From 15- What it lets you do
- This covers engine duties rather than skipper duties. It is required on yachts of 15 metres or more with 100 to under 750 kW engines controlled from the helm, and crew numbers depend on the waters.
- How you get it
- You cover engine systems, maintenance, electrical systems, fire and bilge equipment, and safe operation. You can take the test from 15.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
More exam guides
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.
Professional deck titles
Styrmand af 4. grad
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- You can serve as watchkeeping officer on merchant ships under 500 GT in coastal trade.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Kystskipper
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- You can serve as master of merchant ships under 500 GT in coastal trade.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Styrmand af 3. grad
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can serve as watchkeeping officer without a tonnage limit. You can also serve as chief mate on ships under 3,000 GT.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Sætteskipper
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can serve as master of merchant ships under 3,000 GT. You can also serve as watchkeeping officer without a tonnage limit.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Styrmand af 1. grad
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can serve as chief mate without a tonnage limit. You can also serve as master of ships under 500 GT in coastal trade.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Skibsfører
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can serve as master of merchant ships without a tonnage limit.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Certifikat til betjening af maritime VHF-radioanlæg
SRC- What it lets you do
- You can operate marine VHF voice and DSC, EPIRB and SART.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certifikat til betjening af maritime MF-, HF- og VHF-radioanlæg
LRC- What it lets you do
- You can operate MF, HF and VHF in fishing and pleasure craft without GMDSS equipment, with a satellite option. There is no expiry.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Begrænset certifikat som radiooperatør i GMDSS
ROC- What it lets you do
- You can operate GMDSS VHF voice and DSC, EPIRB and SART. It is valid for five years.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Generelt certifikat som radiooperatør i GMDSS
GOC- What it lets you do
- You can operate GMDSS VHF, MF, HF and satellite equipment. It is valid for five years.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Begrænset certifikat som radiotelefonist
- What it lets you do
- You can use BEG for VHF voice, with optional MF and HF voice. It does not include DSC.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Generelt certifikat som radiotelefonist
- What it lets you do
- You can use GEN for VHF, MF and HF voice, HF telex, EPIRB and SART. It does not include DSC.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radiotelegrafistcertifikat
- What it lets you do
- You can use TLG for radiotelegraphy, VHF, MF and HF voice, HF telex, EPIRB and SART. It does not include DSC.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
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Official sources: Søfartsstyrelsen / Retsinformation — Recreational examinations and certificates, Order 1441/2025, effective 1 January 2026 · Søfartsstyrelsen — Bemanding af fritidsfartøjer · Søfartsstyrelsen / Retsinformation — Seafarer qualifications and certificates, Order 900/2023, Annex 1 · Søfartsstyrelsen — Radiobevis · Søfartsstyrelsen — Brug af udenlandske beviser i Danmark · Søfartsstyrelsen — Kanalbevis