A licence is required if you wish to be in charge of a pleasure boat which is used for carrying passengers for hire, or is let out for hire to members of the public.
Licences are issued initially for one year then on a three yearly basis.
A pleasure boat licence will also be required. Both licences must be issued by the same council. The council you apply to for a licence will depend on the area of operation of the boat.
To be able to apply for a boatman licence, you must:
Before applying, read all the information provided in the guidance notes, which you can download below.
The application is a four-step process.
1. Choose an assessor from our approved list, which you can download below.
Contact the assessor, and agree the details of the assessment and fee.
2. Attend the assessment, taking with you:
You can download the application and assessor forms below.
3. Following the assessment, send us:
Alternatively, our medical form can be requested which needs to be completed by your own doctor.
4. We will then process your application and issue your boatman licence.
A list of fees can be found below.
These fees do not include any assessment charges, which should be agreed with your assessor or doctor prior to an appointment.
Your first renewal will be due a year after your licence was issued. After that, you will need to renew every three years.
You can renew up to three months in advance of your licence expiry. You need to renew before your licence expires.
We will send you a renewal pack before your licence expires. Alternatively, you can download the renewal form below.
You will need to send us:
Alternatively, our medical form can be requested which needs to be completed by your own doctor.
You can contact us if you have any questions about boatman licences.
Email: licensing@nfdc.gov.uk
Phone: 023 8028 5505
Licensing Services
New Forest District Council
Appletree Court
Beaulieu Road
Lyndhurst
SO43 7PA