The question of what category of rights is required to operate a swimming vehicle arises for anyone who plans to buy their first boat or has already purchased a powerful engine. The confusion in terms of “boat category” and “rights category” often leads to unpleasant fines when meeting with GIMS inspectors on the water. It is important to immediately understand that the Russian legislation clearly separates the boats by engine power and weight, which determines the need for a certificate.
In this article, we will take a look at the nuances of the classification of small craft so that you can legally and safely traverse the waters. We will touch on the issues of registration, technical requirements and the procedure for obtaining a certificate of a small vessel. Understanding these rules will save your budget from fines, and rest on the water will make calm.
Classification of small vessels by engine power
The main criterion for obtaining rights is the power of the engine installed on the boat. 8 kilowattsIf the power of your engine does not exceed this threshold, and the weight of the boat is less than 200 kg, then the rights of category "M" (for small craft) you do not need.
But if you install a motor that's more powerful than 10 hp, that's a very different situation, and in that case, your boat formally requires a boatmaster's license. maximum passport capacity The engine is listed in the documents, even if you do not physically develop full gas, the inspector will look at the technical data sheet of the engine when checking.
There's also a nuance about electric motors, and many fishermen mistakenly believe that electric propulsion doesn't require rights, and it's not quite that if the electric motor is above 8 kW (which is rare, but happens on large boats), rights are required, and in most cases, trolling motors with a power of 1-2 hp don't have problems.
⚠️ Attention: The total power of all the engines on the boat is counted together. If you have an 8 hp main engine and a 5 hp auxiliary electric motor, the total power will exceed the limit of 10 hp, which requires rights.
Categories of rights GIMS: what do letters mean
When we talk about the category of rights to a boat, we mean the letter designations in the license of a small vessel. The system of categories in Russia was unified, and now for the management of recreational vessels (for personal use) the main categories are the categories “M”, “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “E”.
For most owners of inflatable PVC boats and small aluminum "Kazak" is relevant category "M."It gives you the right to operate small motorized vessels, and if you plan to operate a jet ski, you will need a category "A." For sailing boats that are not more than 9 meters long, the category "E" is intended.
More serious categories such as “B”, “C” and “D” are small vessels used for commercial purposes or having a specific design (passenger, cargo, towers), and require more complex training. For a regular holidaymaker who has bought a boat for fishing or cruising with his family, the category “M” is sufficient.
And there are areas of swimming that fit the rights, which can be inland waters (rivers, lakes), waterways or territorial seas. For inland water bodies, where 90% of the fishing enthusiasts, there are practically no limits on the distance from the shore under the category "M" if you do not go out to the open sea.
Vessel mass and rules of registration in GIMS
The second critical parameter, along with the power of the engine, is the weight of the boat in service, and the law states that boats weighing more than 200 kg are subject to registration and rights, which includes the weight of the boat itself, plus the weight of the engine, plus the weight of the attachments that you take with you constantly.
Many lightweight inflatable boat owners mistakenly think that if a boat weighs 40 kg and a motor weighs 30 kg, they are safe. However, if you add the weight of a tank, anchor, life jackets and tool, the total weight can exceed the magic line. Although in practice inspectors rarely weigh boats on the water, legally you must be ready to confirm that your curb weight is less than 200 kg.
For metal boats, the issue of weight is more acute. Aluminum Volzhanki or Kazanki complete with a powerful engine almost always exceeds 200 kg. In this case, even if the engine is weaker than 10 hp, but the weight is more than 200 kg, the boat is subject to registration, but the rights may not be required (if the engine is weak).
Keep your passport and your boat and motor checks, which indicate your weight, and that's your main argument when you argue with the inspector about whether your boat is over 200 kg or not.
There's also the concept of "load capacity," which is sometimes confused with weight, because it's the weight of the outfit that counts for the registration, and if you're carrying 500 kg of fish and three people in a boat, it's not added to the weight of the vessel to calculate the need for registration, but it affects the safety of navigation.
Procedure for obtaining a boatmaster's licence
The M-licensing procedure is quite affordable for any adult, and is taught in specialized centers or at GIMS departments. The course usually lasts from two weeks to a month and includes the theoretical part (rules of navigation, boat design, first aid) and practical (boat management).
To be admitted to the exam, you need to collect a package of documents: application, a copy of your passport, a medical certificate (form 003-V / y with the mark "fit for managing small craft"), photos and a receipt for payment of the state duty. It is better to take a medical certificate in advance, as some doctors may require additional examinations.
The exam is two steps: You take the theory on a computer, you answer the tickets, and after you pass the theory, you're allowed to practice, where you're going to demonstrate how to dock, sail, pick up a person from the water and maneuver in the waters, and for those who already have experience, it's usually not difficult.
☑️ Documents for GIMS
If you fail to pass the first time, the retake is scheduled after a certain time, and it is important not to panic and carefully prepare the theoretical basis, since the questions on tickets often contain “traps” for knowing the priorities and signs of shipping.
Table: Comparison of requirements for craft
To organize the information and finally understand whether you need a category, we suggest you check the summary table, which will help you quickly navigate depending on the specifications of your boat and engine.
| Type of vessel/motor | Mass (boat + motor) | Engine power | Registration | Rights (Category) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC inflatable boat | Less than 200 kg | Up to 10 hp (8 kW) | No need. | Not necessary. |
| PVC inflatable boat | Less than 200 kg | Over 10 hp. | No need. | Needed (Cat. "M") |
| aluminum boat | More than 200 kg | Up to 10 hp. | I need it. | Not necessary. |
| aluminum boat | More than 200 kg | Over 10 hp. | I need it. | Needed (Cat. "M") |
| Hydrocycle | Anything. | Anything. | I need it. | Needed (Cat. "A") |
As you can see from the table, the grey area is only for heavy boats with low-power engines: they need to be registered, but no license is required. In all other cases where there is a powerful engine, a license is required.
What happens if you're not right?
When checking documents, the inspector of the State Police Inspectorate has the right to detain your vessel and bring it to the parking lot, you will be fined (from 2 to 5 thousand rubles), and can also draw up a report for not registering, if it is required, in the worst case, the boat can be seized before the trial.
Fines and liability for lack of rights
Ignoring the requirements of the legislation is a way to lose money and nerves. The penalty for operating a small craft without the relevant rights (Article 11.2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation) is from 2000 to 5000 rubles, which is quite comparable to the cost of training, which would save you from problems.
Also, if you don't have a license, but you need one, you can be barred from driving, the inspector can remove you from the steering wheel, and if there's no other person on board with a license, the boat can be towed to a parking lot, which you also have to pay for.
The photo of the rights in the phone has no legal force.
⚠️ Warning: Handing over the boat to an unauthorized person is also punishable by a fine, and if you let a friend ride without an ID and he is caught, you and he will get a fine.
Features of the boat management with category "M"
Once you get an M license, you become a full water user, and that means you're not just responsible for yourself, but also for the passengers, and you have to know the rules of the water, which, although they're like cars, have their own specificities.
For example, on the water, there is no "right side" in the usual way, there are rules for divergence of boats, you have to be able to read navigation signs, understand the signals of other boats and know who is giving way to whom, drunkenness while driving a boat is punished as severely as in a car, with seizure of rights and heavy fines.
And so, as we've seen, even experienced fishermen who swim for years often don't know the basic rules until they're tested, so driving courses are not just a formality to get a crust, but a real chance to improve their safety on the water.
The M rights are valid for 10 years, after which they require renewal (replacement of the certificate), the renewal process is easier than initial obtaining and often does not require re-taking the exams unless there are violations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a 9.9 HP engine license?
Formally, the power of 9.9 hp is less than 10.88 hp (8 kW), so the rights are not necessary if the weight of the boat with an engine is less than 200 kg. However, some 9.9 hp engines can be "suffocated" to 15 hp, and if the documents (PSM) indicate power above 10.88 hp, rights are required.
Can you drive a boat with a B category (car) license?
No, motor licences do not permit the boat to be operated; a small vessel with a motor of more than 10.88 hp requires a special boatmaster's certificate issued by GIMS. The categories of land and water rights do not overlap.
Where can I take the boat license exam?
The exams are accepted by the GIMS of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia. You can apply directly to the local department of GIMS or study in an accredited training center, which will hand over your documents and organize the exam. Training in the center is paid, taking in GIMS - only payment of state fees.
Do I need to register a boat if it is on a trailer?
If the boat and the engine meet the registration criteria (weight > 200 kg or engine > 10 hp at weight > 200 kg), it must be registered, even if 90% of the time is spent in the garage.
What is the penalty for not registering a boat?
The fine for violation of the rules of registration of small craft (Article 11.8 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation) is from 1500 to 2000 rubles. If the vessel is not registered, it can also be detained and placed in a specialized parking lot.