Small Boating Licence 1
Get your Small Boating Licence 1
For those who want to sail rivers, canals and lakes in a fast boat or a larger pleasure craft.
- 208practice questions
- 8practice rounds
- 2mock exams
Lessons and practice questions for this course are in Dutch, just like the official exam.
Free introduction
What you need to know first
You need a small boating licence for a boat under 15 metres that can go faster than 20 km/h. Also for jet skis.
The exam counts points. You need 56 of the 80 points.
There is no practical exam. You only pass the theory.
You must be 18 and have a health declaration.
Practise for free
Try a few questions now
No account needed. Pick an answer, confirm and read the explanation. 38 questions are free.
Lessons
What you learn
Short lessons in plain language. Free to read, even without an account.
- Navigation 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.
- Lights, 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.
- Navigation 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.
- Small 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.
- Engine 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.
- Waterways, water levels and weatherYou learn to read buoyage, height and water level gauges, calculate with NAP and understand the weather forecast.
- Boating 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.
The exam in brief
| When needed | A boat under 15 metres that can go faster than 20 km/h, or a pleasure craft of 15 to 25 metres |
|---|---|
| Where | Rivers, canals and lakes |
| Questions | 40 questions, 1 to 3 points each, 80 points in total |
| Time | 60 minutes |
| Pass | 56 points or more (70%) |
| Question types | Mostly multiple choice, also drag and click questions |
| Aids | Calculator from the CBR |
| Requirements | Aged 18 and a recreational boating health declaration |
| Cost at the CBR | €53.15 in 2026 |
| Valid | A passed exam stays valid |
Source: CBR (CCV), checked on . Before your exam, always check cbr.nl yourself.
How to get Small Boating Licence 2
- Two exams
For KVB2 you pass the KVB1 exam and the KVB2 exam.
- Any order
You do not need to hold a KVB1 card first. Both on one day is allowed too.
- Card after both
You get the KVB2 card once you have passed both. A passed exam does not expire.
Also needed: aged 18 and a recreational boating health declaration. There is no practical exam.
How you learn at TheorieZin
8 practice rounds
You see right away if your answer is right, with an explanation. Also per topic and with your mistakes separately.
2 mock exams
40 questions, 80 points and 60 minutes. Pass from 56 points, just like at the CBR.
Read aloud
Have the question, the answers and the explanation read aloud. Handy with dyslexia or when reading tires you.
Your progress, mistakes and saved questions are kept separately per course. They never mix.
Frequently asked questions
Do I also need a practical exam?
No. The small boating licence only has a theory exam.
How long is my result valid?
A passed exam stays valid. The card itself is valid indefinitely, unless there is a medical restriction.
What does the course cost?
€59.95 for 31 days of access. You pay once, VAT included.
Is my access renewed automatically?
No. After 31 days your access stops by itself. There is no subscription.
Is the official exam included in the price?
No. You book and pay for the exam yourself at the CBR (CCV). In 2026 it costs €53.15.