Navigation licence

If you sail a ship on Dutch inland waterways, you will normally need a navigation licence. There are three types of navigation licence:

• ‘Small licence’ (klein vaarbewijs)
• ‘Conditional large licence’ (beperkt groot vaarbewijs)
• ‘Large licence’ (groot vaarbewijs)

The type of licence you require depends on factors such as the length and function of your ship. For a ‘small licence’, you need to sit an examination with VAMEX Foundation. You can obtain the ‘small licence’ from the Royal Dutch Touring Club (ANWB). The ‘conditional large licence’ and the ‘large licence’ can be obtained from the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driving Testing (CBR). Depending on the type of licence, you must satisfy a number of conditions with regard to education and health.