Many owners of small swimming facilities mistakenly believe that the presence of engine However, the Russian Federation legislation on water safety has undergone a number of changes that clearly distinguish between the need for rights. The main criterion determining your obligation to undergo training and take exams is the combination of the weight of the boat and the power of the power plant.
If your boat is a small vessel, i.e. its length does not exceed 20 meters, and the number of passengers does not exceed 12 people, it is controlled by the State Inspectorate for Small-Sized Vessels (GIMS), which is the authority that issues the rights, which are officially called the "small craft" (Small-Small-Sized Vessels Inspectorate). Certificate of the right to drive a small vesselIt is important to understand that the absence of this document during a water test can lead to substantial fines and evacuation of the vessel to the parking lot.
In this article, we will discuss in detail where rights are really needed, how the training procedure is conducted, how much it costs and what awaits you during the exam, and we will also discuss the registration of a vehicle and the necessary documents. Proper preparation for the season will allow you to avoid problems with the law and enjoy a relaxing holiday on the water without unnecessary stress.
⚠️ Note: Driving a small vessel without a relevant certificate is equated to driving a car without a license and entails administrative responsibility under the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation.
When do you really need a boat license?
The main question that concerns fishermen and tourists is: do I need to get a license in my case? The answer lies in the specifications of your passport. floaterUnder current regulations, a certificate is required if the outboard motor exceeds 8 kilowatts, which is approximately 10.88 horsepower, so popular 5 hp or 8 hp motors do not require rights if the second condition is met.
The second critical parameter is the weight of the boat in use, and the rights are required if the weight of the boat in full condition (with an engine, but without fuel and people) exceeds 200 kilograms. PVC It weighs 50 kg and the engine has a power of 15 hp, rights are required. If you have a heavy metal boat weighing 250 kg, but with an engine of 5 hp, rights are also required.
There is also a water body-type division, with M-category (motor boat) rights sufficient to navigate rivers, lakes and reservoirs in the country, but if you plan to venture into sea waters, you will need a motor boat or a boat category, which means more complex training and exams.
- 🚤 The engine power is strictly more than 10.88 hp (8 kW).
- ⚖️ The weight of the vessel in running order is more than 200 kg.
- 🌊 It is planned to enter the sea waters.
- 🛥️ Use of the boat for commercial transportation of passengers.
Categories of rights and classes of courts
The GIMS categorization system is different from the automobile one, where rights are divided not only by vehicle type but also by place of admission. The basic certificate most amateurs receive is classified as small motorized vessels. Depending on engine type and design, rights may have different marks under the "boat type" column.
The water body class is a special consideration, and the permit labels the admissions as "GP" (internal paths) or "MP" (sea lanes). For most fishermen who are in rivers and lakes, the "GP" mark is sufficient. boat If you are planning to fish in the Gulf of Finland or the Black Sea, you need the appropriate category and a mark on the right to go to sea.
There's also a division by type of control, and if your boat is sailed, even if you have an engine, you may need a "Shike" category or a special mark for sailing boats if sailing is the main way of going. petrol-engine Standard classification is applied.
| Category | Type of vessel | Power/Weight | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorboat | Small-size vessel | > 10.88 hp or > 200 kg | Rivers, lakes (WP) |
| boat | Small-size vessel | Any (if there is a deck/deck) | Rivers, lakes, sea |
| Hydrocycle | Motor vehicle | Anything. | Closed bodies of water |
| Sailing-boat | Small-size vessel | Area of sails > 6 m2 | Rivers, lakes, sea |
The category of rights depends not only on the power of the engine, but also on the type of reservoir where you plan to operate the vessel.
Procedure for obtaining GIMS certificate
The process of obtaining boating license is regulated and consists of several mandatory stages: the first step is to apply to a specialized training center licensed to train boatmasters. Self-training is only possible for those who already have relevant education or experience in structures equated to GIMS, but for most citizens training is mandatory.
The course of study usually lasts from 2 to 3 weeks and includes theoretical and practical parts. In theory, you will learn the Rules of Inland Water Navigation (IWN), the basics of navigation, navigation equipment and legal frameworks. The practice takes place on water and includes the practice of mooring, approaching a person overboard and maneuvering in narrownesses.
After successful completion of the course, you will be given a certificate of completion, with which you can go to the GIMS exam. The exam consists of two stages: computer testing (tickets) and a practical water test. Only after successful completion of both stages, the inspector will decide on the issuance of the certificate.
☑️ Checklist for rights
Required documents for training
To start your studies and then pass the exam, you need to collect a package of documents. The list is small, but you need to approach it responsibly, because the absence of even one certificate can cause you to refuse admission to exams. All documents must be up-to-date and readable.
First of all, you need a Russian passport and a copy of it, and you also need a medical certificate. Importantly, a regular driver's certificate of form 003-V / y will not work, you need a certificate from a psychiatrist and a narcologist, and a general opinion on the suitability for managing small courts.
Also, you will need a certain sized photo (usually 3x4 cm, matte) and a receipt for payment of the state fee. If you already have any rights (for example, on an old model boat), they are also worth taking with you, as this can simplify the procedure for retake or confirmation of skills.
- 📄 Russian passport (original and copy).
- 🏥 Medical certificate with a specific admission mark.
- 📸 Photos 3x4 cm (4-6 pieces).
- 💳 The receipt for payment of the state duty.
⚠️ Note: The medical certificate is valid for 1 year, and if you bring a certificate that is more than a year old, you will not be allowed to take the exam.
Cost of education and state fees
The cost of obtaining rights is made up of two parts: the cost of the training center and the state fee; the price of tuition varies depending on the region, the prestige of the school and the format of classes (group or individual), on average, the course costs from 6 000 to 12 000 rubles.
The state fee for issuing a certificate is established by the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and is uniform for the whole country, at the moment it is 2000 rubles. You can pay it through a bank, terminals or the portal of public services, where there is often a discount, although the mechanism of discounts can change, so it is better to check the current information immediately before payment.
You should also consider the possible additional costs, for example, if you did not pass the exam the first time, the retake will be paid, and the medical commission is separately paid, the cost of which depends on the rates of medical institutions in your city and can range from 1000 to 3000 rubles.
Can you save money on training?
In theory, you can try to pass the exam externally if you have a diploma from a specialized educational institution (for example, a river school), but for an ordinary citizen who graduated from an automobile university, this will not work, and attempts to buy rights illegally can be criminally liable and can be canceled at the first check of databases.
Exam in GIMS: theory and practice
The most exciting stage is the exam. The theoretical part is a computer test. You will be offered 20 tickets, each containing 6 questions. To successfully pass, you must answer all the questions correctly or make no more than one mistake (the rules may vary slightly, but the standard is high accuracy).
The practical part is directly on the water at the GIMS base or in the water area agreed by the inspection. small-boat The inspector gives commands that must be executed clearly and confidently, the main exercises: approach to the berth, approach to the "man overboard" (usually a life jacket or buoy), reverse maneuvering and stopping the vessel.
Sharp movements with a tiller or gas, ignoring signs or incorrect distance estimation can lead to automatic non-setting.
Exemplary sequence of actions on the exam:1. Check of the completeness of the vessel and the presence of life jackets.
Engine start and systems check.
3. Departure from the pier on the command of the inspector.
4. Performing a snake between buoys.
5. Approach to the fallen in the water (conditionally).
6. mooring to the dock.
In the practical exam, don't be afraid to ask the inspector's commands if the wind or engine noise is preventing you from hearing, but it's better to clarify than to perform the wrong action.
Boat registration and annual requirements
Obtaining a license is only half the battle; your boat must also be registered in the register of small vessels GIMS. Boats with a mass of more than 200 kg or with an engine of more than 8 kW (8 kilowatts) must be registered.
Each owner of a registered vessel is required to undergo an annual technical inspection, during the maintenance check the integrity of the hull, the availability of the necessary equipment (anchor, life jackets, scoop, falin) and the compliance of the real state of the vessel with the data in the boat's ticket.
There are also strict navigation timelinesGoing out of the water outside the navigation period (for example, in winter on ice or during the period of prohibition) may lead to the withdrawal of the vessel.
Do I need to bring my documents to the boat?
Yes, you must carry originals or certified copies of identity cards, driving licenses, boat's ticket and a travel document (if required in your area) with you (or on board the vessel), which equates to not having them.
Can I drive a boat with Category B rights?
No, category B motor licenses do not give you the right to drive a boat. To drive a small boat with an engine, you need a special certificate issued by the GIMS, regardless of whether you have a license to drive a car.
How long is the boatmaster's licence valid?
A certificate of the right to operate a small vessel is issued for a period of 10 years, after which you need to undergo an extension procedure, which usually does not require retraining, but involves taking an exam or checking knowledge, as well as updating the medical certificate.
What happens if I get stopped without a license?
According to Art. 11.8 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, driving a small vessel without a license entails a fine of 2,000 to 3,000 rubles. If you do not have the right to drive at all (you have never received the right), the fine may be higher, and the vessel can be detained and placed in a parking lot until the circumstances are clarified.