Boatman licence

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 for three years.

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.

Who can apply

To be able to apply for a boatman licence, you must:

• be 18 years of age or over
• be assessed as competent by a qualified assessor
• be medically fit.

Apply for a boatman licence

Before applying, read all the information provided in the guidance notes, which you can download below.

Boatman Licence Application Guidance Notes (PDF, 147 KB)(opens new window)

The application is a four-step process.

1. Choose an assessor from our approved list, which you can download below.

Boatman and Pleasure Boat Licences Approved Assessors and Surveyors (PDF, 53 KB)(opens new window)

Contact the assessor, and agree the details of the assessment and fee.

2. Attend the assessment, taking with you:

• a completed Boatman Licence Application Form
• a blank Boatman Licence Assessor Form
• two recent passport-sized photographs of yourself for the assessor to verify your identity
• your original qualification certificates for the assessor to verify.

You can download the application and assessor forms below.

Boatman Licence Application Form (PDF, 139 KB)(opens new window)

Boatman Licence Assessors Form (PDF, 112 KB)(opens new window)

3. Following the assessment, send us:

• the completed application form
• the assessment form completed and signed by the assessor
• the fee
• an additional recent passport-sized photograph of yourself.
• your ML5 certificate or your ENG 1 Seafarers Medical Certificate.

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.

Fee

The fee for the 2024/25 financial year for a boatman licence (new or renewal) is £116.

This fee does not include any assessment charges, which should be agreed with your assessor or doctor prior to an appointment.

Renew a licence

You will need to renew your licence 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.

Boatman Licence Renewal Application Form (PDF, 76 KB)(opens new window)

You will need to send us:

• the completed Renewal Application Form
• the fee
• a recent passport-sized photograph of yourself.
• your ML5 certificate or your ENG 1 Seafarers Medical Certificate.

Alternatively, our medical form can be requested which needs to be completed by your own doctor.

Contact details

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