- Under 20 mBoat hull lengthWater Transport Act, § 87, point 21
- Up to 12Passengers
- From 17Minimum theory-exam age · practical from 1815/2001 (IV. 27.) KöViM Decree, § 3(2)
- 2 testsNavigation Rules and Motorboat Knowledge
- 18 monthsTo take the practical after passing theory15/2001 (IV. 27.) KöViM Decree, § 7(8)
The inland routeWhat this licence is
The inland recreational motorboat skipper qualification (belvízi kedvtelési célú kisgéphajó-vezetői képesítés) lets you skipper recreational motorboats under 20 m on Hungary's inland waters, with up to 12 passengers. It excludes waters legally classified as inland seas (beltenger), as well as sea operation and commercial skippering.
What the licence allows
For inland motorboats, a licence is required above 14.7 kW or from 7 m in length. These are the thresholds at which a licence is required, not maximum power or length limits for the qualification.
With this qualification, you can
- Skipper recreational motorboats on Hungary's inland waters
- Carry up to 12 passengers
- Operate powered watersports craft above 14.7 kW
It does not let you
- Skipper at sea with the inland qualification alone
- Work as a commercial skipper
- Use a motorboat qualification as a sailing qualification
Before you bookRequirements
- Minimum age of 17 for theory and 18 for the practical exam
- Completed eight years of primary school
- A certificate from shipping-authority-approved training
- A medical certificate and proof that the examination fee has been paid
- A declaration that you can swim, unless you hold a valid boat service book or seafarer's service book
- No relevant boating disqualification when you take the practical exam
A clear routeHow to apply
- Complete approved training
Choose the inland motorboat route and complete training approved by the shipping authority.
- Get your documents ready
Gather your training certificate, medical certificate, swimming declaration where needed, and proof of payment.
- Apply to KAV
KAV conducts the examinations and issues qualification documents. Apply at least 5 working days before the selected exam through e-Hivatal, KAV's online application service, and take valid photographic identification to the exam.
- Pass theory, then take the practical
Pass both theory tests, then take the on-water practical exam from age 18, within 18 months of passing theory. You can retake a failed subject after at least 1 week and within 1 year.
- Apply for your certificate
Apply in person with identification, a 3.5 by 4.5 cm colour identity photograph and the original medical certificate, then pay the certificate fee.
What you will be tested onTheory and practical exams
The two subjects are Navigation Rules (Hajózási szabályzat) and Motorboat Knowledge (Hajózási ismeretek – kisgéphajó). No aids are allowed.
- 20 questionsIn each theory test
- 20 minutesAllowed for each theory test
- 15 correctNeeded to pass each theory test
The on-water assessment checks practical boat handling, including manoeuvring, stopping, course keeping, recovering a person from the water, and berthing or anchoring. You fail if you make a serious safety error, break traffic rules, carry out an unsafe recovery, or need the responsible skipper or instructor to intervene.
Budget carefullyOfficial fees
KAV's fees below took effect on 17 July 2026.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Theory test — computer-based | HUF 12,100 per element |
| Theory test — other test rate | HUF 12,000 per element |
| Practical exam | HUF 31,500 per element |
| Certificate issue | HUF 17,900 |
If your plans growMoving on to a sea licence
- Inland motorboatInland waters only
- Sea class IVAt sea
- Sea class IIIAt sea
- Sea class IIAt sea
- Sea class IAt sea; no shore-distance limit
Is this the right licence for you?
Good fit if you want
- Recreational motorboating on Hungary's inland waters
- Training and an on-water assessment before taking charge
- Capacity for up to 12 passengers
Look elsewhere if you want
- To boat at sea
- To work as a commercial skipper
- A sailing entitlement
Choose this qualification for recreational motorboating on Hungary's inland waters. For boating at sea, check the separate training, experience, radio-certificate and exam requirements for the relevant sea class.
Theory exam topics
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Practice questions (with answers)
If there is any doubt about whether risk of collision exists:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. The risk shall be deemed to exist
Rule 7(a): if there is any doubt, such risk shall be deemed to exist.
If circumstances admit, course alterations to avoid collision shall be:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Large enough to be readily apparent to the other vessel
Rule 8(b) requires alterations large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar, if circumstances admit.
A vessel less than 20m in a narrow channel:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Shall not impede vessels that can only navigate within the channel
Rule 9(b): vessels under 20m shall not impede vessels which can safely navigate only within the channel.
A vessel may properly use an inshore traffic zone when:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. It is bound to or from a port, offshore installation, or station within the zone
Rule 10 allows inshore-zone use in specific cases, including vessels bound to or from a port, offshore installation or station within the zone, and for certain small craft, sailing vessels, fishing vessels or immediate danger.
Safe water marks are used as:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Fairway or mid-channel marks
Safe water marks are used as fairway, mid-channel, or landfall marks.
If fitted, the topmark of a special mark is:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. A yellow X-shape (cross)
Special marks have a yellow X-shaped (St. Andrew's cross) topmark. (if fitted).
Emergency wreck marking buoys are coloured:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Blue and yellow vertical stripes
equal numbers and widths of blue and yellow vertical stripes; 4 to 8 stripes in total. 1 s blue + 0.5 s darkness + 1 s yellow + 0.5 s darkness; period 3 s.
Emergency wreck marking buoys are used for:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Marking new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks
The emergency wreck marking buoy marks new dangers, including newly discovered wrecks. The competent authority determines further marking once the danger is removed or its information has been sufficiently promulgated.
The full guide
The belvízi kedvtelési célú kisgéphajó-vezetői képesítés lets you skipper recreational motorboats under 20 m on Hungary's inland waters with up to 12 passengers. It excludes waters legally classed as inland seas (beltenger), sea operation and commercial skippering; local operating restrictions still apply.
The theory exam covers Navigation Rules and Motorboat Knowledge. These free exercises build general navigation knowledge in COLREG rules, IALA buoyage, lights and shapes, and sound signals; prepare for the Hungarian exam with KAV's official syllabus and question bank.
Who this licence is for
It is for recreational motorboat skippers who have completed 8 years of primary school. You may take theory from age 17, but you must be 18 to take the practical exam.
How to get the inland motorboat licence
Complete approved training, get a medical certificate, make a swimming declaration and pay the examination fee. Apply to KAV, which runs the exams and issues qualification documents, at least 5 working days before the exam through e-Hivatal, then pass both theory tests. Take the on-water practical exam from age 18 within 18 months of passing theory; you can retake a failed subject after at least 1 week and within 1 year, paying for the subject again.
Hungarian inland motorboat licence questions
- Is this the right licence for me?
- Choose it for recreational motorboating on Hungary's inland waters. It does not cover sailing boats, sea operation or commercial skippering.
- Can I retake the Hungarian boat licence exam?
- Yes. You can retake a failed subject after at least 1 week and within 1 year, paying for the subject you repeat.
- Can I use a foreign boat licence in Hungary?
- A foreign International Certificate of Competence may be used when it was issued by a state that accepts UNECE Resolution No. 40 and meets that resolution's conditions. Stay within its endorsements and meet the medical-fitness requirements.
- Do I need to renew the Hungarian inland motorboat licence?
- KAV uses an international recreational document for inland qualifications. It is valid for 10 years from issue, subject to medical fitness being kept current; the routine medical interval is 10 years below age 40, 5 years at ages 40 to 59, 3 years at ages 60 to 69, and 2 years from age 70.
Other exams
Reviewed by Ramon Curto, Nautical teacher at IECNPC · Last reviewed: