- 12 mMaximum hull length at seaWater Tourism Regulation, section 8
- 2 nautical milesMaximum distance from shore outside internal sea watersWater Tourism Regulation, section 8
- DaylightRequired for motorboating at seaWater Tourism Regulation, section 8
- From 14Minimum age to take the examWater Tourism Regulation, section 8
- 75 questionsWritten test, 90 minutesWater Tourism Regulation, section 17
- 250 PLNStandard examination feeWater Tourism Regulation, section 22
Poland · PZMWiNWWhat is the Polish motorboat licence?
The Patent sternika motorowodnego is Poland's entry-level motorboat licence, issued by the Polish Motorboat and Water Ski Association (PZMWiNW). It is for motor yachts; sailing yachts over 7.5 m need the separate Patent żeglarza jachtowego.
You need a qualification for a motor yacht with an engine over 10 kW. No document is needed for a motor yacht up to 75 kW and 13 m whose top speed is limited by design to 15 km/h; if you hire one, you take a short water-safety training instead.
Your cruising groundWhere you can go
On inland waters, the licence covers motor yachts. The sea permission is narrower, as the diagram shows.
A separate qualification is needed for
- Skippering a sailing yacht over 7.5 m
- Motor yachts over 12 m at sea: the motorowodny sternik morski
Before you bookWho can apply
You can take the exam from age 14. No previous licence, logged time or course is required. Minors need the written consent of their parents or legal guardians.
From preparation to patentHow to get it
- Prepare for the exam
Study the syllabus in annex 4 of the water tourism regulation, on your own or on an optional course.
- Book your exam
Book and pay for an exam with PZMWiNW or another body authorised by the minister.
- Pass both parts
Pass the written test and the practical exam on the water, and keep your exam certificate.
- Apply to PZMWiNW
Send the application with your exam certificate, a 3.5 × 4.5 cm photograph and proof that you paid the issue fee.
Written and practicalExam format and pass mark
| Part | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Written test | 75 single-choice questions |
| Time allowed | 90 minutes |
| Pass mark | At least 65 correct answers |
| Topics | Boat construction and engines, handling, rescue, weather, aids to navigation and the rules of the road at sea and inland |
| Practical assessment | Manoeuvres chosen by the examiners, including man overboard |
The examiners choose the practical tasks, and every element must be done correctly; one badly performed element may be repeated once. The exam questions are confidential and not published, so there is no official question bank.
Statutory ratesExam and licence fees
Is it right for you?
A good fit if
- You want to drive a motorboat from age 14
- You boat on lakes and rivers or make daylight coastal trips
- You prefer to prepare on your own
Look further if
- You want to sail a sailing yacht
- You plan to go to sea at night
- You want to skipper a motor yacht over 12 m at sea
For night passages, longer motor yachts or trips beyond the coastal limits, look at the motorowodny sternik morski, which needs at least two sea voyages and 200 hours.
Exam topics you can practise here
Free practice questions
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Practice questions (with answers)
The day shape for a vessel constrained by draught is:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. A cylinder
Rule 28: the day shape is a cylinder.
A pilot vessel on duty displays at the masthead:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. White over red all-round lights
Rule 29(a): white over red all-round lights at or near the masthead.
A vessel of 12 metres or more aground at night additionally shows:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Two red all-round lights vertically
Rule 30(d): a vessel aground shows anchor lights plus two all-round red lights in a vertical line.
Five or more short and rapid blasts mean:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Doubt or danger — the intentions of the other vessel are not understood
Rule 34(d): at least five short and rapid blasts indicate doubt about whether sufficient action is being taken.
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 Patent sternika motorowodnego lets you skipper motor yachts on Polish inland waters. At sea it covers motor yachts with a hull up to 12 m on internal sea waters and elsewhere within 2 nautical miles of the shore, in daylight. Holders under 16 are limited to engines up to 60 kW.
The theory exam is a 75-question single-choice test in 90 minutes, passed with at least 65 correct answers, followed by a practical exam on the water. Here you can practise the COLREG rules, IALA buoyage, lights and shapes, and sound signals. Study boat construction, engines, handling, rescue, weather and the Polish inland rules with the official syllabus.
Who can take the Polish motorboat exam
Anyone aged 14 or over. No previous licence, logged time or course is required.
How to get the Patent sternika motorowodnego
Study the syllabus in annex 4 of the water tourism regulation, on your own or on an optional course. Book and pay for an exam with PZMWiNW or a body authorised by the Minister of Sport, pass the theory test and the practical exam, then apply to PZMWiNW for the patent with your exam certificate, a 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo and proof of the issue fee.
Polish motorboat licence questions
- What does the Patent sternika motorowodnego entitle me to?
- Motor yachts on inland waters, and at sea motor yachts with a hull up to 12 m on internal sea waters and within 2 nautical miles of the shore, in daylight. Under 16, only engines up to 60 kW.
- When do I not need a licence in Poland?
- For a motor yacht with an engine up to 10 kW, or a motor yacht up to 75 kW and 13 m whose speed is limited by design to 15 km/h (hiring one of these requires a short safety course).
- What are the official fees?
- 250 zł for the exam and 50 zł for issuing the patent, 300 zł in total. Pupils and students up to 26 pay half.
- Is there an official question bank?
- No. The exam questions are confidential by law and are not published. Our questions are original practice questions written from the official syllabus.
Other exams
Reviewed by Ramon Curto, Nautical teacher at IECNPC · Last reviewed: