A licence is required if you wish to hire out your pleasure boat, or use it for carrying up to 12 passengers for hire.
Licences are granted for a period of one year.
The person in charge of the pleasure boat will also require a boatman licence.
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 pleasure boat.
Inland waters are categorised as one of four categories referred to as Category A, B, C and D.
Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more about the categorisation of waterways.
We can only issue licences to pleasure boats operating in the categories of water in the areas listed below.
For more information, refer to the guidance notes below.
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 survey and fee.
2. Apply for a pleasure boat licence using the online form below.
Apply for a pleasure boat licence
Alternatively, you can download an application form below.
You can then apply by sending us:
3. Attend the survey with any documents requested by the assessor. The assessor will pass or fail the pleasure boat and send the findings to us.
4. We will match your application with the assessor's survey and issue the licence. In the case of a failure we will return the application to you, minus the fee.
The fee to licence a pleasure boat (including plate) is £90.
This fee does not include any survey charges, which should be agreed with your assessor prior to an appointment.
We will send you a renewal pack before your licence expires. If you have not received this within six weeks of your expiry date, contact us.
The following type and frequency of survey are required. This is based on a five-year cycle.
Your assessor will advise you at the point of booking if the survey needs to be in or out of water. Assessments are usually valid for up to three months.
You can contact us if you have any questions about pleasure boat licences.
Email: licensing@nfdc.gov.uk
Phone: 023 8028 5505
Licensing Services
New Forest District Council
Appletree Court
Beaulieu Road
Lyndhurst
SO43 7PA