Course & Test

Practice Quiz

Before the course, take the Online Practice Quiz. This valuable tool will help you pass, and it's user-friendly. As you progress through the 'pool' of multiple-choice questions, you'll be shown whether you've answered correctly or incorrectly. If you are wrong, you're shown the right answer with a green tick. That's the answer you need to remember. RMS does not provide this function when you officially take the Knowledge Test at the course. We recommend you take the quiz a few times to be able to pass the Knowledge Test.

1. Visit the Online Practice Quiz site.

2. Click Choose a practice test.

3. Select a test — General Boat Knowledge Test (required for all licenses), then PWC Knowledge Test (required unless taking "Boat Licence only" course).

Study material handbooks

• NSW Boating Handbook (PDF)
• NSW Personal Watercraft (PWC) Handbook (PDF)
• Preparing to go on the water

What if I fail the Test?

We are confident that you will pass the test. If you fail the first time, you are then allowed a 2^nd attempt. If you don't pass on the day, you can re-sit the test again on another course date for no cost and when seats are available.

Oral Assessment

If you understand English well, but find reading English difficult, please advise the trainer PRIOR to attending the course. If the Trainer is available AFTER the course, they may read you the question and the answers, and ask you to choose an answer. If the Trainer is not available (the busy summer season), make sure you book on a date suitable to us both, when extra after-the-course time may be made available.

Understanding and Speaking English

Generally, language and learning difficulties are not catered for. You must be able to understand, communicate and speak English well in order to attempt the Roads and Maritime Services test. If you cannot answer the Trainer's questions in English, contact Roads and Maritime Services on 13 22 13 and given time, they can arrange a remedial teacher or NAATI Interpreter at a designated Roads and Maritime Services office.

Course Components

1. Complete the Safe Boating and/or PWC Jetski Course

The course covers rules, regulations, operational safety, the review and everything you need to know to pass your Knowledge Test.

2. Pass the Boating and PWC Knowledge Tests

These tests are NOT available online and must be completed face-to-face within the presence of an accredited Maritime Trainer and Assessor by a Training Organisation. When you attend our course, there is no testing at RMS.

The NSW General Boat Licence has 50 multiple choice questions:

• 30 — the first 30 questions must have 24 answered correctly
• 20 — the next 20 questions must ALL be answered correctly

The PWC licence knowledge test has an additional 15 questions:

• 15 — PWC multiple choice questions, 12 of which must be answered correctly

3. Practical Boating Experience

To apply for an initial general boat driving licence or personal watercraft (PWC) licence, you'll need to provide evidence of your practical boating experience.

This evidence is provided in the form of a Practical Boating Logbook, which is available at every course. You must record three trips in the Logbook, and arrange for an experienced skipper (who may be a family member, a friend, or a workmate) to help you complete it. The skipper must have a current NSW or interstate boat driving licence, and have held it for at least 3 consecutive years.

What will I learn at the course?