Boat Permits in France

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Boat Permits in France

Permits are not required for sailing boats, or boats with a motor less powerful than 4.5 Kilowatts (6CV) sailing sea or inland waters. 

Note: "Jet-Skis" and similar craft have power which exceeds this; a permit is needed. 

Permit Categories

Prior to 1 January 2008, permits were issued in the following three categories. These licences remain valid but are no longer issued.

• La Carte Mer: for a boat with a motor from 6CV to 50CV. A permit for daytime sailing within a 9 Km range of the coast, awarded after taking a theory course and practical lessons, and passing a test
• Le Permis Mer Côtier: for boats with motors 50CV and up. The permit allows night sailing, but within a limited range from the coast, and is awarded after a course and test
• Le Permis Mer Hauturier: This is gained through a full boating course at a boat school, and licenses one for all forms of boating

The Recreational Permit (Permis Plaisance)

On 1 January 2008, a new system introduced. The Permis Plaisance is available for four different purposes. There are four permit types, one each for sea and inland waters, each of which can be extended. An applicant must be at least 16 years of age and provide the examination centre with a medical certificate. A theory and practical test must be passed before the permit is issued. 

The basic permits are:

The QCM is a theory test of 25 questions (four errors are allowed). Practical training may begin before the theory test is taken, but a permit is only issued when the practical and theory tests are passed. A minimum of three hours practical training must take place at a training center.

Permits can be extended with additional tests and training. 

The extension permits are:

Before being issued a permit for deep sea sailing (Hauturière), a theory test on navigation, tides, weather and regulations must be passed. To attain the "large river craft" permit, the candidate must be at least 18 years of age and have done a minimum of 9 hours practical training on a boat of at least 20 metres in length. 

Applying for the permit

There is a single point of contact in each department: 

• Coastal départements: Contact the Directions Départementales des Affaires Maritimes 
• Inland départements: Contact the Services de la Navigation (and for Nantes, contact the Direction Départementale de l'Equipement de Nantes)
• All contact information is available from Mer: Click here (PDF in French)
• Application forms can be downloaded: Click here

Detailed information is available in French from the government website MER.

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

The skippers of British Registered boats – motor or sail – do not require an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) when sailing in French coastal waters. If you are planning to use the French canals and rivers, the boat's skipper must have an ICC certificate valid for Inland Waters (having passed the CEVNI exam). However, if you are planning to charter or use a French registered boat, you may need an ICC.

UK nationals and residents can take a course for the ICC at Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recognised sea schools and training centres. The ICC can also be awarded on production of an appropriate RYA certificate.

ICC forms are available from the RYA in the United Kingdom, via the Website, or from RYA recognised sea schools that test for the ICC. The application form must be completed and submitted with a passport photograph and copies of practical course completion certificates if applicable. An ICC is valid for 5 years.

Jet Ski Permit: A one day RYA course catering specifically to obtaining a licence for these craft is available, it's the Personal Watercraft Certificate of Proficiency (PWC). This certificate comes with an official RYA translation which explains the course content, translations in  French, German, Spanish and Italian.

The ICC is recognised by France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Holland, Germany and Denmark.

• Comprehensive information is available on the RYA Website

Inland Boating

The Voies Navigables de France (VNF) oversees the navigable canals and waterways in France. The website, much of it in English, has important local information for all regions.

A skipper sailing the inland French canals and rivers must have an ICC certificate and the Code Européen des Voies de la Navigation Intérieure (CEVNI) permit and navigation rulebook. The CEVNI test can be taken at RYA recognised training schools. All pleasure boaters must pay a licence toll. This can be paid online and the licence printed out.

Any person planning to charter a boat (sea- or river-going) should request from the charter company details in writing of the certification required, what cruising area this is acceptable for and whether this certification meets the requirements of the relevant authorities in the area concerned. 

• For detailed information on the toll from the VNF in English: Click here (PDF)
• More information from the Voies Navigables de France (VNF) Website (in English) 
• See also AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Sailing and Barge Boats on inland Canals and Waterways of France

With contributions by Phil Godwin of Oceanpro The South of France RYA Sea School and powerboat training.
For further information Tel: 04 93 53 65 95 or e-mail

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