What category to boat: a complete guide to the GIMS license

The question of what kind of rights is required to operate a small vessel arises for every boat owner who plans to get on the water with a motor. The situation with the legislation in this area has changed several times, which often confuses even the experienced ranks of water engines.

Since 2014, amendments have come into force that have fundamentally changed the way we approach classification, and now to free ourselves from the need to obtain a license. boat It should be less than 200 kilograms and the engine power should not exceed 8 kW (which is about 10 horsepower), and it is important to understand that it is the mass indicated on the factory passport or on the nameplate that is taken into account, not the weight that you counted on the household scale in the garage.

If at least one of these parameters is exceeded, you will have to prepare for the exams in the GIMS. Lack of a certificate in the case of inspection threatens with a hefty fine, and in some cases - detention of the vessel until the circumstances are clarified. Therefore, to understand the types of categories and understand what exactly is needed for your kit "boat plus motor", you need even before buying equipment or starting navigation.

Main categories of GIMS license for small vessels

The modern system of classification of rights to operate small vessels divides drivers into categories according to the type of reservoir and the purpose of the vessel. There are not many main categories, but each of them has its own specifications and limitations. For the ordinary fisherman or lover of recreation on the water, the most relevant rights are category “M”.

Category "M" (Motor boat) This is exactly what most owners of inflatable PVC boats and small aluminum outboards need, allowing them to operate boats that do not fall into other, more specific categories, and this is the most common request in GIMS offices across the country.

Besides motorboats, there are other types of rights that may be required depending on your ambitions and type of equipment:

• 🚤 boat - for boats with a stationary engine or outboard motor with a capacity of more than 225 hp, as well as for jet skis (although for jet skis often a separate mark is allocated).
• ⛵ Sailing-boat - it is needed for those who prefer wind power, and the area of sails exceeds the established norms (usually more than 12 square meters).
• 🛶 rowing vessel - category for those who operate the boat exclusively with the help of oars, however, the rights are required only if the vessel is registered with the GIMS (weight more than 200 kg).
• 🏗️ Non-self-propelled vessel - to manage towed objects, such as bows or large pontoons, if they are subject to registration.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to drive a jet ski, you have to have an M license, and without that, you're going to have to have a water bike without a license, even if you have a crust on a motorboat.

The right category depends on the specifications of your vessel, and you don't expect the inspector to notice the excess of power or weight, because the vehicle's passport is clearly spelled out, and it is these data that will be checked first.

Criteria: When rights are needed

To determine whether you need a category, you need to do a simple audit of your boat, and the law clearly regulates the thresholds. If your boat with an engine meets both conditions simultaneously (weight up to 200 kg and power up to 10 hp), then you do not need a license. In any other case, you must obtain a license.

Particular attention should be paid to the concept load-stockIt's not just the weight of the boat itself, either deflated or assembled, it's the weight of the hull, the weight of the engine ready to go (with oil and fuel if they're in the engine tank), and the weight of the equipment that's in the documentation, and if the boat has a weight of 190 kg and the engine weighs 40 kg, you get 230 kg, which already requires registration and rights.

There is a common misconception that if you remove the engine during the inspection, you don't need a license. It's not true. GIMS inspectors assess the technical ability of the vessel to speed with the motor. If there are mounts on the transom for an outboard motor or traces of its installation, and the engine power exceeds 10 hp, you are breaking the rules.

Let’s look at the typical situations in the table so that it is easier for you to navigate:

Type of vessel	Mass (kg)	Engine power (hp)	Do I need a license?
PVC	150	9.9	No.
PVC	160	15	Yes (category M)
aluminum boat	210	5	Yes (category M)
boat	600	60	Yes (category boater)
Hydrocycle	350	150	Yes (category M marked)

It's also worth remembering. geographyEven if you have rights, they may have restrictions, for example, rights obtained to navigate inland waterways do not always apply in the coastal zone of the seas, and vice versa. Always check the stamps in the license.

Training and examination process

Obtaining an M or Boat license is not the most difficult process, but it requires preparation, it consists of theoretical and practical parts, the theory can be passed by studying independently or taking courses in specialized centers accredited by GIMS, while the practice involves real management of the boat along a route that includes various maneuvers.

In the theoretical part, the examinee must demonstrate knowledge of the rules of the road on waterways, the basics of navigation safety, the design of engines and first aid. Questions are often applied: how boats diverge, what different signs and lights mean, how to act when rolling over.

The practical exam is conducted on a pond.

• 🚤 Docking to the pier or floating object.
• 🔄 Then, walk between the two sides of the door and the back.
• ⚓ To pick up a person from the water (imitation) or an object from the surface.
• 🏁 Develop a set speed and stop in a certain place.

Many candidates underestimate the importance of the safety When you're on an exam, you need to wear a life jacket before you step on board, and when you're on a motor, a forgotten vest or a safety belt is an automatic "failure to pass," the inspector looks at your culture of water behavior.

⚠️ Attention: Theoretical exams are limited in duration, and if you pass a theory but fail to pass the first time, you will have to re-take the theory after a certain time (usually 3-6 months), so prepare your practical skills in advance.

To be admitted to the exam, you must provide a package of documents, including a passport, medical certificates (about suitability to drive a vehicle), photographs and a receipt for payment of the state fee. It is better to take a medical certificate immediately with the necessary categories, so that you do not run to the doctors again.

Cost of obtaining rights and state duty

The financial side of the issue is also important: the cost consists of several components: the state fee, the medical commission and, if necessary, the payment for tuition at a driving school or training center. The state fee is set by the state and indexed from time to time, so it is better to check the actual amount on the official website or in the department.

Currently, the state fee for issuing a national certificate for the right to drive a small craft is 2000 rubles, but this is only part of the cost, to pass a medical examination with a psychiatrist and narcologist, as well as to obtain a conclusion from a therapist will cost from 1500 to 4000 rubles, depending on the region and clinic.

If you are not sure of your abilities and knowledge, you will have to spend money on training. Courses in specialized centers can cost from 5 to 15 thousand rubles, this amount includes theoretical training, practice on a training vessel and document support.

There are also hidden costs worth mentioning:

• 💰 Payment for the retake of the exam (if you did not pass the first time).
• 📄 Cost of production of duplicate in case of loss.
• 📦 Travel costs to the exam location, which may be far from your home.

Despite the seeming bureaucracy, legal rights are your insurance against legal problems and your confidence in the future on the water, and the penalty for lack of rights far exceeds the cost of all of the above procedures.

What happens if you pay the fine on time?

If the fine is paid within 20 days of the order, you can get a 50% discount, but the fact of violation and the entry in the GIMS database will remain, and repeated violation may result in a more severe punishment.

Fines and Liability for Violation of Rules

The Code of Administrative Offences (Cao of the Russian Federation) provides for serious liability for those who neglect the rules. Driving a small vessel without a license is article 11.2 of the administrative code of the Russian Federation. The fine for this violation is from 2000 to 4000 rubles. It would seem that the amount is not space, but the consequences can be much more serious.

The inspector of the GIMS has the right not only to issue a fine, but also delayThis means that your boat can be driven to a parking lot, and to get it out of there, you still have to claim your license or hire the person who has them, and pay for evacuation and storage services, and a trip to the fishing can cost tens of thousands of rubles.

Special punishment is imposed on those who drive a vessel while drunk, and Article 11.8 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, which equates driving a boat with driving a car, carries a fine of 30,000 rubles and deprivation of rights for up to 2 years, comes into force here, and criminal liability can also be imposed if a repeated violation or serious consequences occur.

It is also worth remembering other common violations:

• 🚫 Failure to comply with the speed limit near populated areas.
• 🏊 Swimming in prohibited areas (beaches, water intake zones).
• 📑 No registration numbers on the boards.

⚠️ Attention: Refusal to undergo a medical examination in case of suspected intoxication is automatically equated to a state of intoxication with all the ensuing fines and deprivation of rights.

Be vigilant and respect the rules. Water does not forgive mistakes, and the law is the same for everyone, whether you are kayaking or on a powerful boat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need a 5-hp motor license?

No, if the weight of the boat together with the engine does not exceed 200 kg Power 5 hp (about 3.7 kW) is much less than the limit 10 hp (8 kW), so the rights of category "M" are not required, provided that the boat is also light.

Can you drive a boat with a B category (car) license?

No, you can't. Car licenses don't give you the right to drive water transport. Motor boats require a GIMS certificate of the appropriate category. However, a car license may be required when submitting a theory to GIMS as a document confirming knowledge of traffic rules (although the rules on water differ).

Where can I take the license exam?

The exam is taken at the territorial office of the GIMS EMERCOM at the place of your registration or actual stay, and you can also take the exam in training centers accredited by GIMS, which is often faster and more convenient.

How long is the certificate for the right to drive a small craft?

After the expiry of this period, the license must be replaced, which usually does not require re-submission of examinations, but requires updating the medical certificate.

Do I need to register a boat if I don’t need a license?

Registration with GIMS and having rights are different procedures: if the weight of the boat with the engine is less than 200 kg, it is not subject to mandatory registration (you do not need to get a "boat registration certificate"), but this does not prevent you from registering it voluntarily, for example, for safety or if you plan long trips.