IALACOLREG

Maritieme examens per land

Elk land bouwt zijn eigen schil rond dezelfde kern — COLREG 1972 en IALA-betonning. We houden de kern gedeeld en stapelen er landspecifieke context bovenop. Kies je examen:

Europa

Internationaal

Nederland

Which maritime exam do you actually need?

Every recreational and professional maritime licence builds on the same regulatory floor: the COLREGs and the IALA buoyage system. National authorities then wrap their own structure around that floor — distance from shore, vessel size, the local language of the question paper, the practical-test format.

Below, exams are grouped by region and authority. Click any exam for the syllabus breakdown, sample questions, and the topic pages on this site you should drill before sitting. If you cannot find your country, the closest match is usually the ICC (Europe), the RYA Day Skipper (English-speaking world) or the USCG OUPV (United States).

For Spanish-speaking readers, the comparison page PER vs PNB explains the two entry-tier Spanish licences. For US-bound candidates, the COLREG vs US Inland Rules page covers the exam-trap differences between international and Inland rule sets.

Choosing an exam — frequently asked questions

Which is the easiest recreational maritime licence to get?
Generally the entry-tier coastal licence in your own country: PNB in Spain, RYA Day Skipper Theory in the UK, ICC for EU residents, USCG OUPV is the entry COMMERCIAL US licence (recreational US captains do not normally need any licence federal under 65 ft non-commercial). The easiest is the one written in your native language and aligned with the waters you actually sail.
Does my licence work in other countries?
Sometimes. The ICC (International Certificate of Competence, UN ECE Resolution 40) is the closest thing to a universal recreational licence and is accepted on most European inland waterways. Beyond ICC, recognition is bilateral: PER is accepted in many EU charter contexts; RYA Day Skipper is widely accepted in chartering globally; USCG licences are not normally recognised abroad. Always check the chartering jurisdiction's rules before booking.
Can I prepare for a maritime exam entirely online?
The theory section — yes. Every COLREG, IALA, lights, sound-signals and chart-work theory topic on every major recreational exam is covered on this site. The practical section (navigation under power and sail, MOB drill, mooring, anchor) requires time on the water with an instructor or assessor. Online study makes the practical hours much more productive.
Are STCW exams the same as recreational exams?
No. STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) applies to commercial seafarers on ships subject to SOLAS. STCW II/1 is the OOW (Officer of the Watch) certification — a substantially deeper and longer qualification than any recreational licence, with mandatory sea-time and approved training centres. The COLREGs and IALA content overlap; almost everything else is added on top.