Türkiye
- Who issues it
- Ulaştırma ve Altyapı Bakanlığı, Denizcilik Genel Müdürlüğü [Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Directorate General of Maritime Affairs], through authorised liman başkanlıkları [harbour authorities].
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
- Collision rules
- Denizde Çatışmayı Önleme Yönetmeliği
Do you need a licence?
Yes, a private boat with a hull from 2.5 to 24 metres needs ADB or accepted seafarer credentials.
You don't need one for:
- a boat under 10 hp
- a rowing or paddle craft
- a specified sporting craft
ADB 10 starts when you have entered your 16th year, and ADB 24 when you have entered your 18th year. If you hold ADB 10 and are under 18, an adult with ADB 10 or higher must be aboard.
Amatör Denizci Belgesi — ADB 10 · Amateur Seafarer Certificate — ADB 10
- What it lets you do
- You can take a private boat up to 10 metres overall, with no area, distance or time limit. If you are under 18, an adult with ADB 10 or higher must be aboard.
- How you get it
- You take an online multiple-choice test with at least 25 questions and need 70 out of 100 to pass. Theory and practical training are required, subject to official exemptions.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Amatör Denizci Belgesi — ADB 24 · Amateur Seafarer Certificate — ADB 24
- What it lets you do
- You can take a private boat with a hull up to 24 metres, with no area, distance or time limit. The usual route is to hold ADB 10 for at least 12 months.
- How you get it
- You take an online multiple-choice test with at least 25 questions, need 70 out of 100 to pass, and complete theory and practical training. Listed maritime graduates are exempt from the training and exams.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
More exam guides
Turkish boat licence (Amatör Denizci Belgesi)
Turkey’s Amatör Denizci Belgesi (ADB) lets you operate a private boat for non-commercial use. ADB 10 covers private boats up to and including 10 m overall length, while ADB 24 covers private boats up to and including 24 m hull length. Other boating rules still apply.
Professional deck titles
Sınırlı vardiya zabiti
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- Watchkeeping officer on ships under 500 GT in the defined near-coastal voyage area.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Sınırlı kaptan
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- Master of ships under 500 GT in the defined near-coastal voyage area.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Vardiya zabiti
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Deck watchkeeping officer on ships of at least 500 GT and under 3,000 GT.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Uzakyol vardiya zabiti
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Deck watchkeeping officer without tonnage or voyage-area limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Birinci zabit / Uzakyol birinci zabiti
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Chief mate: Birinci zabit covers 500–<3,000 GT; Uzakyol birinci zabiti has no tonnage or voyage-area limit.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Kaptan / Uzakyol kaptanı
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Master: Kaptan covers 500–<3,000 GT; Uzakyol kaptanı has no tonnage or voyage-area limit.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Kısa Mesafe Telsiz Operatörü (KMT)
SRC- What it lets you do
- VHF/DSC on vessels outside compulsory SOLAS GMDSS requirements.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Uzun Mesafe Telsiz Operatörü
LRC- What it lets you do
- VHF and MF/DSC on vessels outside compulsory SOLAS GMDSS requirements.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS Tahditli Telsiz Operatör Yeterliği
ROC- What it lets you do
- Restricted GMDSS radio operator qualification.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS Genel Telsiz Operatör Yeterliği
GOC- What it lets you do
- General GMDSS radio operator qualification.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS 2 nci Sınıf Telsiz Elektronik Operatörü Yeterliği
- What it lets you do
- Second-class GMDSS radio electronic operator qualification (REO 2).
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS 1 inci Sınıf Telsiz Elektronik Operatörü Yeterliği
- What it lets you do
- First-class GMDSS radio electronic operator qualification (REO 1).
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ready to study for it?
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Official sources: Resmî Gazete — Özel Teknelerin Donatımı ve Özel Tekneleri Kullanacak Kişilerin Yeterlikleri Hakkında Yönetmelik, 17 January 2026, No. 33140, Articles 4–11, 14 and transitional Article 1 · Resmî Gazete — Özel Teknelerin Donatımı ve Özel Tekneleri Kullanacak Kişilerin Yeterlikleri Hakkında Yönetmelikte Değişiklik Yapılmasına Dair Yönetmelik, 3 July 2026, No. 33299 · Denizcilik Genel Müdürlüğü — Gemiadamları ve Kılavuz Kaptanlar Eğitim ve Sınav Yönergesi, 17 June 2025, Article 4 · Denizcilik Genel Müdürlüğü — Telsiz Operatör Yeterlikleri ve Sınav Yönetmeliği, Articles 4, 6 and 24; text linked under current legislation · Denizcilik Genel Müdürlüğü — Denizde Çatışmayı Önleme Yönetmeliği Yayımlandı, 12 March 2024 · US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — Sailing Directions (Planning Guide), Publication 140, Turkey: Buoyage System