Singapore
- Who issues it
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port Master
- Minimum age
- 16 years
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
Do you need a licence?
Yes, a Singapore-licensed powered pleasure craft in port waters needs a PPCDL below 24 metres or an APPCDL from 24 metres.
PPCDL starts at 16 and APPCDL at 18. Visiting yachts follow a separate cruising-permit process.
Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL)
From 16- What it lets you do
- You can drive engine-powered or jet-propelled pleasure craft under 24 metres within Singapore port limits.
- How you get it
- You take an English theory test with 30 computer-based multiple-choice questions and need 26 out of 30 to pass. A practical handling assessment follows.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Advanced Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (APPCDL)
From 18- What it lets you do
- You can drive powered pleasure craft of 24 metres or more within Singapore port limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class 6
- What it lets you do
- You can serve as a deck officer in special-limit service.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class 5
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- You can serve as a home-trade mate. MPA also issues a separate Class 5 (Special Limit) certificate.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class 4 (Home-Trade Master)
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- This lets you serve as a home-trade master. MPA also issues a separate Class 4 (Special Limit) certificate.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class 3
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- You can be the navigational watch officer on seagoing ships.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class 2
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can serve as chief mate on seagoing ships.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class 1 (Master Mariner)
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- You can serve as master on seagoing ships.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
GMDSS Restricted Operator’s Certificate (ROC)
ROC- What it lets you do
- You can work as a restricted GMDSS radio operator. IMDA issues and revalidates this qualification.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS General Operator’s Certificate (GOC)
GOC- What it lets you do
- You can work as a general GMDSS radio operator. IMDA issues and revalidates this qualification.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ready to study for it?
The Academy is free with an account: lessons for every topic, timed mocks marked like the real exam, and your progress saved.
Official sources: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore — Licensing of Pleasure Craft · Singapore Polytechnic — Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL English Theory Test) · Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore — Port Marine Circular No. 06 of 2011: Advance Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence · Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore — Singapore-Registered Pleasure Craft Guidebook · Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore — Shipping Circular No. 10 of 2014: Revalidation of Certificate of Competency · Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and IMDA — Shipping Circular No. 3 of 2026: Revalidation of STCW Certificates