Recreational marine driver licence
In Queensland, a marine licence is required to operate a recreational boat which is powered by a motor greater than 4.5 kW (over 6 HP) and you must have a personal watercraft (PWC) licence to operate a personal watercraft.
Valid marine licences
Licences issued by Maritime Safety Queensland in accordance with the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 and include:
- recreational marine driver licence
- recreational ship master's licence
- speed boat driver's licence
- current commercial marine licences as master - for example coxswain.
Licences that are issued by other safety authorities within the Commonwealth of Australia or other entities recognised by Maritime Safety Queensland and include:
- current boating licences issued in other states (excludes junior licences)
- current Small Vessel Operators Certificate (to operate a fishing ship less than 10 m in length issued by the Queensland Fishing Industry Training Council).
To obtain a Queensland recreational marine driver licence you must:
- be aged 16 years or older
- demonstrate you are competent to navigate and manage a recreational boat by successfully completing an approved BoatSafe licence training course
- provide satisfactory evidence of identity - a photographic Queensland driver licence (current or expired less than two years) is acceptable.
Queensland's boat licensing fee is A$38.65 for a life-time recreational marine driver licence.
Training coursesLicence applicants must successfully complete a BoatSafe approved training course. Here is a list of BoatSafe approved training providers (PDF**, 269KB).
What to expect from a BoatSafe recreational marine driver licence training course.
Recognition of other qualifications, training or experience
The Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 and its subordinate legislation provide an alternative to the completion of the full BoatSafe competency based training and assessment course. The recognition of prior learning (RPL) process caters for those who can provide evidence of other relevant qualifications, training or experience in vessel operations. If this relates to your situation please contact an approved BoatSafe training provider for consideration and assessment under the recognition of prior learning process.
Assessment in remote locations
BoatSafe provides for assessment by approved Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol assessors in remote locations within Queensland. This service is only available where the location is not and can not be serviced by an approved BoatSafe training provider and the person seeking assessment is a bona fide resident in the remote location. Maritime Safety Queensland can not guarantee the delivery of this service to those who do not meet these criteria. Visitors to remote areas should therefore ensure a recreational marine driver licence, if required, is acquired in advance of their visit.
Unlicensed drivers
Unlicensed drivers may drive a boat provided a licensed driver is onboard supervising and is able to take immediate control of the boat. Unlicensed drivers must not operate boats while towing someone else by a line attached to the ship including for example, someone waterskiing or riding a toboggan or tube.
Queensland's virtual licence
In 2000, Maritime Safety Queensland changed from a paper-based boat licence to a virtual licence. Licence details are recorded in a computerised database which is accessible by on-water enforcement officers such as Water Police and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.
New licensees will only be issued with a printed confirmation statement verifying they hold a recreational marine driver licence if requested. The virtual licence is valid for life. All current Queensland recreational marine driver licences, (including the old speed boat driver's licence and recreational ship master's licence) automatically become life-time licences.
If you are going boating interstate, you should carry a confirmation statement as proof that you hold a Queensland licence.
Recreational marine driver licence holders are advised that proof of their licence may be required when hiring a vessel and the confirmation report serves this purpose.
Queensland licence indicator
From 10 July 2006, if you have either a recreational marine driver licence (RMDL) or a personal watercraft licence (PWCL), you can have a marine licence indicator included on your Queensland driver licence.
You do not need to take any action to have the indicator added to your licence. The marine licence indicator will be automatically added to your driver licence when you renew your licence or obtain a new licence (for example if you need a replacement licence) at a Queensland Transport customer service centre or licence issuing agency.
If you choose to renew your driver licence online, you are issued with a renewal label. The marine licence indicator is not included on the renewal label. If you hold a recreational marine driver licence (RMDL) or personal watercraft licence (PWCL) and would like it included on your driver licence, you should renew your licence in person at a Queensland Transport customer service centre or licence issuing agency.
The recreational marine driver licence is still considered a virtual licence and valid for life. Paper licences and confirmation reports are adequate proof that you have a recreational marine driver licence.
If you do not want to wait for your next driver licence renewal and would like the indicator added to your licence now, you will have to apply in person at a Queensland Transport customer service centre or licence issuing agency for a replacement licence. You will need to pay a fee and a replacement licence will be issued.
Changing licence informationLicence details can be changed at any time. You can do this by:
- Writing to:
Customer Service Direct
Queensland Transport
GPO Box 2451
Brisbane Queensland 4001 - Going to a Queensland Transport customer service centre.
- Calling Queensland Transport's customer information telephone service.
Queensland residents - 13 23 80b - Going to the Queensland Transport home page www.transport.qld.gov.au and selecting "Change your address" from the services online section.
Now that Maritime Safety Queensland has a virtual boating licence, there is no need to replace your existing licence. Licence holders can however request a confirmation report outlining licence particulars. There is a fee for obtaining a confirmation report.
Suspension of a marine licence
If the holder of a marine licence accrues three or more safety infringements or a drink driving offence, their marine licence may be cancelled or suspended.
Interstate recreational boat licences
Current and valid recreational boat licences (excluding junior licences) issued by an interstate marine authority may be used in Queensland while they remain current. Maritime Safety Queensland recommends if you move to Queensland that you obtain a Queensland recreational marine driver licence.
You can obtain a Queensland recreational marine driver licence by going to a Queensland Transport customer service centre with:
- your current interstate recreational boat licence
- a completed licence application form (PDF**, 105KB)
- the fee of A$38.65.
Expired interstate licences will not be accepted for conversion to a Queensland licence. If your interstate licence has expired, you will need to either renew your licence with the relevant interstate marine authority or meet Queensland's recreational marine driver licence requirements stated above.
Hire and drive ships
The user of a hire and drive ship (includes hire boats that are six metres or less and personal watercraft, or jet skis) must hold a recreational marine driver licence in the following circumstances:
- when operating at night, between sunset and sunrise
- when operating at speeds in excess of 10 knots when beyond the direct sight and supervision of the hire and drive ship provider or designated tour guide
- when operating outside smooth waters when beyond the direct sight and supervision of the hire and drive ship provider or designated tour guide.
A person under the age of 16 operating a hire vessel must be under the direct supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older.
Briefing requirements for providers have been expanded, and require:
- that the person conducting the briefing holds at least a recreational marine driver licence, and a personal watercraft licence in the case of personal watercraft
- the first 99 briefings be overseen by a coxswain or an experienced recreational marine driver licence holder
- the person overseeing briefings does not need to be present at each briefing.
The user of a hire and drive ship must operate in accordance with the conditions of the provider or tour guide. This includes confirming their medical fitness to operate the vessel safely, stating the number of intended passengers and supplying any other information requested to verify the user’s age and level of competency.
Further information about hire and drive ships can be found in the Transport Operations (Marine Safety-Hire and Drive Ships) Standard 2007 (PDF**, 250KB).
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Last updated 03 July 2008
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