Motorized boating: do you need a license?

Do you need a license to drive a boat? And for a tender? Even when the motor is electric?

Whether navigating at sea or on inland waterways, the distance from the coast, the length of the boat, and the engine power, there are many parameters to consider. Discover here the essential elements to remember to operate your motorboat legally and safely.

Do you need a license to use a TEMO engine?

This is the question everyone is asking, so we'll answer it right away: no, you do not need a license to use a TEMO engine .
Why? Simply because a TEMO engine has a power output of less than 6 hp (or 4.5 kW). It is therefore below the legal limit for a pleasure craft license, whether at sea or on inland waterways.

The principles of motorized pleasure boating regulations.

Behind its array of decrees, distances, and measures, the regulations governing motorized pleasure craft are quite simple. They are designed to prevent, as far as possible, damage that could be caused by engine failure or mishandling:

• To those on board and around the boat: swimmers, divers and other boaters
• To other vessels and port facilities
• To the environment

Sea navigation and engine power: key points to remember.

Two essential parameters govern motorized recreational boating at sea:

• The power of the propulsion
• The distance between the boat and a safe haven

Driving a boat at sea without a license up to 4.5 kW.

At sea, you can drive a motorized pleasure boat equipped with a propulsion system of less than 6 hp, or 4.5 kW, without a license.

Reminder: the concept of shelter in maritime navigation.

A coastal shelter is defined as "a place on the coast where any craft, boat or vessel and its crew can find safety by anchoring, landing or mooring and depart without assistance. This concept takes into account the prevailing weather and sea conditions as well as the characteristics of the craft, boat or vessel ." Légifrance, Safety rules applicable to recreational boating at sea, Division 240.

A port, a calm coastline, or a mooring buoy can therefore provide shelter. It is up to the skipper to determine the shelters best suited to their vessel, crew, the tide, and the weather conditions.

As a reminder, the mother ship is considered a shelter for its tender.

Up to 6 miles from a safe haven: the coastal option pleasure boating license.

To navigate at sea on a motorboat of more than 4.5 kW and up to 6 miles from a shelter, you must hold the coastal option pleasure boating license.

Beyond 6 miles: the offshore extension pleasure craft license.

Is the ocean calling you and do your dreams extend beyond the horizon?

To navigate under motor beyond 6 miles from a safe haven , you will need to obtain the offshore extension pleasure craft license .

The special case of sailboats.

Sailing a boat does not require a license , regardless of its size. Indeed, a sailboat's engine is considered only a secondary propulsion system, even when it exceeds 4.5 kW.

These boats, however, require considerable experience to be maneuvered safely.

Motorized boating on inland waters.

Two main criteria govern recreational boating on inland waters:
- The size of the boat
- The power of the propulsion

Motorboating in freshwater without a license.

In inland waters, a boat less than 15m in length can be operated without a license , provided that its speed does not exceed 6.5 knots , or 12 km/h.

The inland waterways boating license.

Formerly known as "river permit", the inland waters option pleasure permit allows you to drive a boat up to 20 m long, at a speed of more than 6.5 knots and within the limits in force of course.

The inland waterways pleasure craft license with the large pleasure craft extension.

This large inland waterway boating extension allows you to pilot a beautiful barge of a length equal to or greater than 20 m , in compliance with the speed limits in force.

The special case of sailboats in inland waters.

While at sea, a sailboat equipped with an auxiliary engine of more than 4.5 kW does not require a license, a pleasure craft license with the inland waters option will be required to drive it on rivers, lakes and waterways .

Get trained and informed to navigate safely.

While a license isn't always required to operate a motorboat, these training courses remain both useful and necessary for safe navigation. .

Whether you're a novice or a seasoned sailor, take advantage of the long winter months to (re)immerse yourself in the books published by Vagnon. And why not go further and register for your boating license?

As you've probably gathered, the TEMO electric motor is designed for all boaters. Whether you have a license or not, the best approach is always to get trained and informed. So, brush up on your basics and sail safely!