Small Boating Licence 1 and 2 in one learning path

Free introduction

What you need to know first

1. 1

   The combined exam officially consists of two separate exams.

2. 2

   You must reach the pass mark for each exam separately. There is no combined score.

3. 3

   A passed exam does not expire. You can take the other one later.

4. 4

   With us you practise per part, with separate mock exams.

Lessons

What you learn

Short lessons in plain language. Free to read, even without an account.

1. 1Navigation rules and right of way on inland watersWho must give way when vessels meet, cross or overtake? You learn the order of the right-of-way rules from the Inland Navigation Police Regulations (BPR) and the rules at harbours, narrows, locks and fast motorboats.
2. 2Lights, day shapes and sound signalsWith lights, day shapes and sound signals a vessel shows what it is and what it will do. You learn to recognise the main combinations from chapters 3 and 4 of the BPR.
3. 3Navigation signs and buoyageAlong the water there are signs and lights that prohibit, require or indicate something. On the water, buoys mark the fairway. You learn the signs from annex 7 and the buoyage from annex 8 of the BPR.
4. 4Small Boating Licence 1: who needs it and how does the exam work?Whether you need a small boating licence depends on the length and speed of your boat. The KVB1 exam is a 40-question theory exam at the CBR.
5. 5Engine and safety on boardGood maintenance prevents most engine trouble. You also need to know how to deal with fire, gas, carbon monoxide and life-saving equipment, and how to ask for help.
6. 6Waterways, water levels and weatherYou learn to read buoyage, height and water level gauges, calculate with NAP and understand the weather forecast.
7. 7Boating and manoeuvringYou learn how propeller, rudder and bow thruster work, how to pass a lock, moor and anchor safely, and what to do with suction, blind spots and man overboard.
8. 8Rules on open waters: SRW and BPRFor the KVB2 exam you need to know which regulations apply where and how to give way on the Westerschelde and the open inland waters. The SRW lights, day shapes and sound signals are part of it too.
9. 9Buoyage under IALA-ABuoys tell you where the safe water is. You recognise them by colour, shape, topmark and light.
10. 10Weather and information sources for the skipperYou learn to recognise pressure areas, fronts, clouds and fog. You also know which sources you need on board for a safe trip.
11. 11Chart reading: the 1800 series chartsAt the exam you work with extracts of real charts from the 1800 series. You must quickly recognise latitude, longitude, scale, depths and the main chart symbols.
12. 12Tides: spring tide, neap tide and calculating water heightOn the Wadden Sea the tide decides whether you can sail somewhere. You learn to recognise spring and neap tides and calculate the water height with the rule of twelfths and the tide table.
13. 13Course calculations: variation, deviation, leeway, current and GPSYou convert from compass course to true course and back, and you allow for wind and current. You also learn the key GPS terms.
14. 14Chart work: position, course and distance on the chartIn the last four questions of the exam you work with a real chart extract of the Markermeer and the Wadden Sea. Here you practise the steps on a fictional practice chart.

The exam in brief

Source: CBR (CCV), checked on 13 October 2026. Before your exam, always check cbr.nl yourself.

How you learn at TheorieZin

Your progress, mistakes and saved questions are kept separately per course. They never mix.

Frequently asked questions