The boat license is the document that certifies the ability to command and conduct pleasure boat.
The minimum age to be admitted to the examination is 18.

Pleasure craft are divided into:

• • Vessels (units up to 10 metres)
    
  • Boats (units from 10 to 24 metres)
    
  • Pleasure boats (units over 24 metres)

Yes, it is possible to drive a boat without the boat license, but there must be a person on board who holds a license and who assumes the role of captain and assumes all responsibility for navigation.

• When the navigation is more than 6 miles from the coast
• When the power of the engine installed on board exceeds 40,8 hp (30 kw).
• Always when waterskiing and when driving a jet ski.

The boat license is valid for 10 years from the date of issue or confirmation of validity. The duration drops to 5 years for those who have reached the age of 60 at the time of issue or renewal.

The command of pleasure craft by foreign citizens in Italian territorial waters is regulated by art. 34 of Ministerial Decree n. 146 of 29 July 2008.
In particular, foreigners in possession of a qualification or a document recognised as equivalent to the qualification by the State they belong to may command, provided that they are free of charge, pleasure boats and vessels entered in the Italian registers and craft, for the Ceresio and Verbano waters equipped with a mark – plate, within the limits of their qualification.