Boat Licences · Radio Certificates · SKS

Important: the exam must be taken in German

All German boat licence and radio certificate exams are held in German only. English question papers are not available and interpreters are not permitted. This English section therefore does not replace the German exam questions, it helps you understand them: every question and every answer is shown in the original German wording, with a direct English translation underneath. That way you learn to read and understand the German exam questions themselves. The English texts are an unofficial translation, only the German original is binding.

All question catalogues in German and English

Every official exam question in the original German wording with a direct English translation underneath, in three steps: learn with the translation, practise with the translation on request, and take the exam sheets in German only.

⛵ SBF BinnenInland waters: 300 questions, motor and sailing sheets. 🌊 SBF SeeSea: 285 questions and 15 exam sheets. ⚓ SKSCoastal skipper: 492 questions with model answers. 📻 SRCVHF marine radio: catalogue and exam sheets. 🚢 UBIInland waterway radio: full and supplementary exam. 🌍 LRCWorldwide marine radio. 🔥 FKNPyrotechnic distress signals: 4 question sheets. 📖 GlossaryThe German words you meet again and again in the exam.

Recreational boat licence for inland waters

⛵

Recreational Boat Licence, Inland Waters

Sportbootführerschein Binnen

All official questions in German with English translation, motor and sailing exam sheets.

Motor Sailing Combined Learning units

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🌊

Recreational Boat Licence, Sea

Sportbootführerschein See

All official questions in German with English translation and 15 exam sheets for German coastal waters.

Basic questions Sea Navigation Learning units

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📡

Radio Certificates: SRC, UBI, LRC

Funkschein

SRC, UBI and LRC: all official questions in German with English translation and the exam sheets.

SRC UBI LRC

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⚓

Coastal Skipper Certificate

Sportküstenschifferschein (SKS)

All 492 questions with model answers in German and English: navigation, seamanship, meteorology and maritime law.

Navigation Seamanship Meteorology Maritime law

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🔥

Pyrotechnics Certificate (FKN)

Fachkundenachweis, „Pyroschein“

Certificate for pyrotechnic distress signals: all questions of the 4 question sheets in German and English.

Distress flares FKN 4 sheets

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🛟

Safety on the Water

Sicherheit auf dem Wasser

Equipment, passage planning, rules of the road, emergency procedures and distress signals for recreational boaters, with pictures and graphics.

Equipment Emergencies Distress signals

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Licence Information

Führerscheininformationen

Overview of the German recreational boat licences: requirements, areas of validity and how the exam works.

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📅

Exam Dates from the DSV

Prüfungstermine vom DSV

Current exam dates of the German Sailing Association (DSV) for boat licences and radio certificates.

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Examination Regulations

Prüfungsordnungen

How does the exam work? Manoeuvres, knots, radio tasks and the examiner's record sheet for SBF Binnen, SBF See, SKS, radio and pyrotechnics.

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Learn for the German boat licence and radio certificate online

With the Nautik-Trainer you prepare online and free of charge for the German boating exams and the marine radio exam. You practise all official exam questions for SBF Binnen (inland waters) and SBF See (sea), learn for the radio certificates SRC, UBI and LRC and train for the SKS and the FKN. This includes the original exam question sheets, learning units by topic, flashcards, the chart navigation tasks, sound signals, navigation lights and detailed examination regulations.

Boat Licence Inland (SBF Binnen)Rivers, canals, lakes: motor, sailing or combined. Boat Licence Sea (SBF See)Coast and sea: question sheet plus chart navigation task. Radio CertificateSRC for the sea, UBI for inland waters, LRC worldwide.

Sound signals inland Sound signals sea Practise chart navigation Licences and exams explained Exam dates Glossary Safety on the water

All question catalogues and the licence information are available in English. Sound signals, navigation lights, chart navigation and safety pages are in German.

Frequently asked questions

Can I learn for the German boat licence in English?

Yes, but you learn the German questions. Every exam question is shown in German with a direct English translation underneath, so you understand what is being asked and recognise the German wording in the exam.

Can I take the exam in English or with an interpreter?

No. The exams for the German boat licences and radio certificates are held in German only, and interpreters are not permitted. That is why this site always shows the original German question first and the English translation only as a learning aid.

Which German licence do I need?

SBF Binnen for inland waters such as rivers, canals and lakes, SBF See for German coastal waters, the SKS for skippering yachts along the coast, and a radio certificate (SRC for sea, UBI for inland waters) if you operate a VHF radio. Details are in German boating licences explained.

Can I take the German boat licence exam online?

No. You learn the theory online and practise with the official question sheets. The exam itself is taken in front of an examination committee: a written test, for SBF See also a chart navigation task, and a practical test on the boat. You can find dates under exam dates.

Is the Nautik-Trainer free?

Yes. All exam questions, learning units and flashcards are free of charge. Only the online textbook for SRC and UBI is a paid product and it is available in German only.