What Jet Ski License do I need?

Are you passionate about the sea, speed and adrenaline? Then surely drive jet skis is one of your great hobbies, but do you know what license you need to drive it? In this post we tell you everything you need to know about it.

When do I need to have a jet ski license?

You're probably thinking... but, I've driven jet skis on the beach and I don't have a license. Indeed, when you rent the motorcycle to a company that is dedicated to it you don't need any specific license, since it is the company itself that has it. In these cases, before starting to drive, an instructor will give you some basic instructions and you will only be able to take the motorcycle on a specific, properly marked circuit.

However, if you want to have your own jet ski or you plan to rent one for several days to enjoy your beach vacation even more, you have to have the corresponding license.

Types of Jet Ski License

There are different types of permits, depending on circumstances such as the power of the motorcycle, its size or the use you plan to give it. In any case, to get the card you must be adult (or over 16 years of age with parental authorization), approve the specific tests of each license and, in some cases, exceed a psychotechnical examination similar to that of the driver's license.

Jet Ski Pattern C

Issued by the sailing or jet ski sports federation, this license enables you to drive motorcycles with a power less than 55 hp, only during the day and in the indicated delimited areas.

Jet Ski Pattern B

For motorcycles with a power between 55 HP and 110 HP, you can obtain this license by passing a specific exam from the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy or from the autonomous community of residence itself, if it has the appropriate competencies.

Jet Ski Pattern A

The largest of the three, it enables you to drive jet skis with a power greater than 110 hp, but to achieve this it is necessary to pass a theoretical exam and some practical tests.

What jet ski can I drive if I already have a license or navigation license?

All of the above is valid only if you do not have a previous navigation license, since if you have one you are automatically authorized to drive jet skis in the circumstances that each license allows.

Navigation License

The navigation license basic enables to govern boats up to 6 meters in length and specifically includes jet skis among the list of permitted vessels. To get this license you do not have to pass any theoretical exam, you must do some navigation and theory practices and once you have it you will be able to navigate to a maximum distance of 2 miles of the coast.

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GNP

The card of Basic Navigation Pattern has powers to govern vessels of up to 8 meters in length and, specifically, jet skis of any power, both day and night and at a maximum distance of 5 miles from the coast.

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PER

He Pleasure Boat Skipper title, the most in demand of all, also allows you to drive a jet ski, since it authorizes you to govern boats of up to 15 meters in length and at a maximum distance of 12 miles of the coast.

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Yacht Skipper

Of course, once you get the Yacht Skipper permit, which allows you to steer boats of up to 24 meters in length and a maximum distance of 150 miles from the coast, jet skis of any power are included in this license. Of course, you will have to pass more demanding tests to get it.

In summary: if you are thinking of starting in the world of navigation with a license for jet skis, you should take into account what maximum power each of the available licenses allows you, while if you already have a higher title, you should not make any additional arrangements to drive your motorcycle, always within the area in which your valid license allows you to navigate.