Many newcomers to water-engines mistakenly believe that buying a boat with an engine automatically requires a driver's license. State Inspectorate for Small-Sized Vessels (GIMS)Now, whether or not you need to take an exam depends on the technical specifications of your boat and the power of the engine installed on it.
It is important to understand that not only horsepower is legally significant, but also the weight of the vessel in running order. Mass in curb This includes the weight of the hull, the motor, the fuel tank, the anchor and other standard equipment, and it's these parameters that determine whether you need to register a boat and get a license to drive a small vessel.
In this article, we will take a look at all the nuances so that you can confidently go out on the water without fear of fines or equipment detention, and we will look at the current categories of rights, registration rules and liability for violations.
When the rights to control the boat are required
Under the current Code of Administrative Offences and Government Regulations, only vessels subject to state registration are subject to mandatory certification, the criterion being the combination of two parameters: the length of the vessel and the engine power. not required.
But not having to have rights doesn't mean being permissive, and even in a 3-hp inflatable boat, you have to be respectful. Rules for navigation on inland waterways (VVWP)This includes wearing life jackets, following speed limits near shore and not driving while intoxicated.
Inland waterways (navigable rivers, canals) and inland waterways (lakes, reservoirs, non-navigable rivers) are regulated differently.
Always carry the engine documents (check, warranty card) and passport so that the inspector can check the engine power on the technical data sheet if the marking on the lower unit is not read.
Main categories of GIM rights
If your parameters exceed the permissible limits (power more than 8 kW or 10.88 hp, or length more than 20 meters, although the latter is rare for motorboats), you will need a certificate. Modern rights are a plastic card and are divided into categories depending on the type of vessel.
For owners of boats and motor boats relevant category "M." Previously, there was a division into the categories of “boat”, “motor boat” and “hydrocycle”, but now they are combined, and rights may have marks on the right to operate the boat during daytime or night time, as well as within internal waters or territorial sea.
The certificate is valid for 10 years, after which it must be replaced without re-taking the exams, unless there were gross violations.
Motor power: criterion 10.88 hp
The key to registering and obtaining rights is to convert kilowatts to horsepower. The legislation operates at 10.88 hp, which corresponds to exactly 8 kW. Many manufacturers indicate kW in the technical documentation, so recalculation is mandatory.
If the engine documentation (PTLM) indicates a power of 8 kW or less, then such a vessel does not require registration and rights, provided that the passenger capacity does not exceed 12 people. However, if the power is 8.1 kW (about 11 hp), you already fall under the jurisdiction of GIMS.
There is a common practice of "sweatspotters" or illegal tuning, where high-powered motors are cut off by the limiters, and GIMS inspectors know this and may require technical expertise when inspected, and if the actual power is higher than the declared in the documents, you face a fine and the engine is seized.
How do you check the engine power?
Inspectors can ask for a factory model of the engine by number, and if the model is listed as 15 hp in the database and you have a limiter, this can be considered a violation that requires official alteration in a certified center.
Rules for registration of small vessels
The registration of the boat is carried out at the GIMS at the owner's place of residence, and for this you need to collect a package of documents, including a proof of purchase, a technical data sheet for the boat and the engine, as well as a receipt for payment of the state duty.
The registration process involves inspection by an inspector, check for license plates on the boat hull and engine lower unit, compliance with the license plates, and equipment for rescue, and after a successful inspection, you get a boat's ticket.
A boat's certificate is the main document that must be on board with the rights (if required), it spells out all the specifications, the owner and the year of issue, and the loss of the boat's ticket requires a recovery procedure, which takes time.
☑️ Documents for registration
Training and examination
To obtain the rights of category "M" you need to undergo training in a specialized center licensed by GIMS. The training program includes theoretical part (navigation, boat design, PPVNI, first aid) and practical (boat management, maneuvering, actions in emergency situations).
The exam consists of two stages: first, the theory is taken on a computer at the GIMS, you must correctly answer most of the questions of the ticket, then you will have a practical examination on the water, where the cadets must demonstrate skills in mooring, approaching the person overboard and moving along the lining.
If you fail, you can retake after 7 days, there are limited attempts to retake, but if you fail more than three times, you may need to retrain. A medical certificate to obtain a boat license is currently not required unless you plan to work in this field professionally.
| Parameter | No registration and rights | Requires registration and rights |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | Up to 8 kW (inclusive) | More than 8 kW (more than 10.88 hp) |
| Length of vessel | Up to 20 meters. | More than 20 meters. |
| Passenger capacity | Up to 12 people | More than 12 people |
| Type of pond | Inland waters (lakes, non-navigable rivers) | Inland waterways (navigable) |
Fines and liability for violations
Violation of the rules of registration and management of small vessels entails administrative liability. Fines are regularly indexed, and today the amount for the management of an unregistered vessel or lack of rights can reach several thousand rubles.
⚠️ For driving a boat without a license (if required) there is a fine from 2 to 5 thousand RUB. If you have previously been prosecuted, the fine can be doubled, and the boat - detained until the violation is eliminated.
The GIMS inspectors are required to demand their presence according to the number of people on board. The absence of a vest is a fine of about 500 rubles for each violator, but the main danger is not in money, but in the risk of life.
Driving while intoxicated is considered the most serious violation, and this is not only a large fine (up to 30,000 rubles), but also deprivation of the right to drive any vehicles, and in some cases criminal liability if there are victims.
The total penalty for the lack of rights, registration and life jackets can exceed the cost of the cheapest used motor, so saving on legalization does not make sense.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a 5-hp motor license?
No, you don't. A 5 hp (about 3.7 kW) motor is well below the 10.88 hp (8 kW) threshold, and there is no registration required for the vessel itself if it is less than 20 meters long and has a passenger capacity of up to 12 people.
Can I drive a boat with a license to a car?
No, motor licenses (Category B) do not give you the right to operate small vessels, but you need to have a GIMS certificate of the appropriate category, but you need to carry a motor license with you to identify your identity.
What happens if you lose your boat registration certificate?
You must apply to the same authority of the State Registered boat with a claim of loss, you will be issued a duplicate, you are prohibited from sailing without documents on the boat, for this there is a fine.
Do I have to register a boat if the engine is more powerful than 10 hp, but I do not put it?
If the boat has a motor of more than 10.88 hp, it is subject to registration, even if you plan to use oars. The fact that there is a powerful engine on board requires you to have documents. If the engine is removed and stored separately, formally the boat can be considered a rowing boat, but inspectors can ask questions when checking.