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Children aged between 12 and 16 may apply for a special permit to operate a recreational vessel.
If you are over 16 years of age you must apply for a boat operator's licence.
Special permit holders
Special permit holders can operate any recreational vessel (other than a personal watercraft) fitted with an engine under the direct supervision of a person who holds a boat operator's licence or a temporary boat operator's licence.
They can also act as an observer when a person is being towed by a vessel, provided the operator of the vessel holds a boat operator's licence or a temporary boat operator's licence and is at least 18 years of age.
If you have passed a special permit practical exam you are also able to operate a recreational vessel without supervision if:
- the vessel is less than 4 metres in length
- the vessel has a potential speed of 10 knots or less
- you operate between sunrise and sunset
- everyone on the vessel is wearing a lifejacket.
Special permit holder can not operate a:
- personal watercraft, such as a jet ski
- boat that is towing a water skier.
Before you begin
Evidence of identity
When you apply you'll need to provide documents showing evidence of age and identity.
Medical conditions
You must disclose any medical conditions including disability and the need to wear glasses or contact lenses. The eyesight and medical standards for a boat operator's licence are the same as for a motor vehicle driver's licence.
To disclose a medical condition, you must fill out your details and get your doctor or optometrist to complete and sign the medical and eyesight certificate to operate a recreational vessel (278.0 KB PDF).
How to apply
- Step 1
Complete an application form
Application for a special permit to operate a recreational vessel (530.2 KB PDF)
Your parent or guardian must also sign the application.
- Step 2
Book a special permit theory exam
To book, phone Service SA on 13 10 84. Testing times are 9:30 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
- Test bookings can be made between 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday at any Service SA centre – except Mount Barker, Gawler, Regency Park, Prospect and Modbury. Test bookings are also temporarily unavailable at Mitcham.
- Tests can also be booked on Saturdays between 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at our Elizabeth, Marion and Seaford Meadows centres.
- Pay the $24 fee to do the boat operator's licence theory test.
- Step 3
Prepare for the special permit theory exam
Prepare for the exam by familiarising yourself with boating rules, regulations and safety equipment carriage requirements in the SA Boating Safety Handbook.
Test your knowledge beforehand with our online practice exam. It contains the information that's required for the special permit and confirms that you know the rules and safety requirements of operating a motorboat.
- Step 4
Take the special permit theory exam
The exam consists of a series of multiple-choice questions, based on information in the SA Boating Safety Handbook.
The first section of the exam contains questions that must be answered correctly before proceeding with the remaining questions.
For those who only want to operate supervised, after you finish the theory test successfully, Service SA will complete the relevant sections of your application form.
- Step 5
Lodge your application
Lodge your application at a Service SA centre within 6 months after passing the special permit theory examination, along with:
- evidence of age and identity
- medical documents
- the appropriate fee.
Once your application is processed, you'll receive a special permit that will be valid until the day before your 16th birthday.
When you turn 16, the special permit is no longer valid. You have to pass a boat licence theory test and pay the appropriate fee to be issued a boat licence.
- Step 6
Prepare for the special permit practical exam – for those wanting to operate unsupervised
If you want to operate unsupervised, you are required to pass a practical test.
Service SA will forward your Special Permit application form to Marine Safety SA in anticipation of your practical test booking.
Before booking a practical test, you should practise operating a boat under the supervision of a person with a boat operator’s licence.
Familiarise yourself with the boat that you will use during the practical exam and practice various manoeuvres that will be required during the test.
You will be expected to show that you:
- can judge speeds of about 4 and 10 knots
- understand which type of vessels permit holders are permitted to operate
- have a practical understanding of the give-way rules
- can execute a figure-eight turn at speed
- can safely retrieve a floating object during a simulated man overboard exercise
- have a practical understanding of navigation beacons
- can safely berth your boat alongside a structure such as a landing or jetty
- can list the safety equipment you would be required to carry onboard your boat in protected, semi-protected and unprotected waters
- have knowledge of the recognised water ski signals.
- Step 7
Book a practical exam – for those wanting to operate unsupervised
To book a practical exam:
- you'll need to provide your own vessel that:
- must be registered and equipped with the required safety equipment
- must be less than 4 metres in length
- cannot go faster than 10 knots (no greater than 10hp motor accepted).
- You'll be asked to nominate a testing location and date. Locations are:
- Ardrossan
- Garden Island
- Goolwa
- Murray Bridge
- Port Lincoln
- Robe
- Streaky Bay
- Waikerie
- Wallaroo.
There's no fee for the practical exam.
Marine Safety SA will email you the week before your nominated date to confirm practical test times and test locations, such as a boat ramp.
A Marine Safety Officer will bring your completed special permit application to the test location, and you will be required to produce your Special Permit prior to the practical test.Once you've passed the practical exam, the examining officer will sign and stamp the application form as evidence.Take the form back to a Service SA centre to have the conditions on your special permit updated to allow operating unsupervised. - you'll need to provide your own vessel that:
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