Recreational Boat Licence Course & Exam

Skip the theory test at Service SA and complete your boat licence in just one half-day course with Surf Life Saving SA.

Our State Government–approved course is run by experienced fishing and boating presenters and combines both the training and assessment into a single 3-hour workshop. On successful completion, you’ll receive a Statement of Attendance to present at a Service SA office to obtain your licence (Service SA will apply an additional fee).

Key details:

  • Must be 16 years or older to attend

  • Certificates may take up to 5 business days to issue. Consider this when booking into your course to allow time to obtain your licence from Service SA.

  • We welcome students with diverse learning styles and support needs - please contact us before registering to discuss arrangements

By training with Surf Life Saving SA, you’re not just getting your licence - you’re supporting frontline water safety services that keep our beaches and coasts safe.

So why pay more elsewhere? Book your course today and start your boating journey with confidence.

  • Boat terminology

  • Collisions & give way rules

  • Licences & permits

  • Planning & preparation

  • Lifejacket laws

  • SA water & weather conditions

  • Navigation

  • Boating on the Murray

  • Ferries & flags

  • Water skiing

  • Breakdowns

  • Emergencies

  • Speed limits

  • Alcohol & drugs

  • Registration

  • PWC

  • Environmental issues & conservation

Course contents include:

  • I would strongly recommend any sporting or community club hold a Boat Licence Course at their premises. It garnered a lot of local interest, and our coordinator Stu was brilliant. We had more than 50 very happy attendees leave the event with a boat licence!

    Nic Wilson, Hahndorf Football Club

  • Over the past three years, Stu and Surf Life Saving SA have come to Two Wells to run the Boat Licence Course at our request for our club members and local in the area. Stu had done a fantastic job with this, and the feedback is always positive from the members that attended the training.

    Devon Hardiman, Two Wells Football Netball Sporting Club

  • The Surf Life Saving Boat Licence course was excellent for our university to train our Underwater Club members who wanted to operate our vessels. They were fantastic as they came to our location and hosted there. They were engaging, and fair and reasonable with their assessments.

    Emily Daniels, Flinders University

  • Stuart and the team have come in for the Boat Licence Course over the previous few years. The students have thoroughly enjoyed completing the license, gaining the knowledge necessary to be safe on the water. Thank you to the team for their continued work with our students.

    Chris Theakstone, Prince Alfred College