What does a Dutch boat licence cost? CBR exam and licence fees
For a Dutch small boat licence (klein vaarbewijs) you pay the CBR at least twice: once for the theory exam, and once for the application for the licence itself. The amounts change on 1 January 2027; both are in the tables below.
These are the CBR's own amounts, not those of a course or practice material. Whether you need a licence at all depends on your boat; that is on our page about the Dutch boat licence. Our practice exams for Klein Vaarbewijs 1 are in Dutch.
This page summarises the CBR's fees for recreational boating (in Dutch): the 2026 amounts on the CBR's costs page, checked on 22 October 2026, and the CBR's 2027 tariffs, read on 24 October 2026. The CBR gives all 2027 tariffs subject to change; check the amount again when you book. The translations are ours. Examenzaal is an independent provider of practice material and not part of the CBR.
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What you pay the CBR
If you book through Mijn CBR, you pay for the exam straight away when you book. You apply for the licence itself separately, and the CBR charges its own amount for that.
The CBR also lists the costs of a health declaration for recreational boating (gezondheidsverklaring recreatievaart) and of a request for an exemption (vrijstelling). Whether they apply to you is explained on the CBR's site.
| Item | 2026 | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Theory exam Klein Vaarbewijs 1 | €53.15 | €49.35 |
| Theory exam Klein Vaarbewijs 2 | €63.25 | €58.75 |
| Application for your licence | €12.70 | €20.70 |
| Health declaration for recreational boating | €13.25 | €13.75 |
| Exemption request | €29.65 | €30.65 |
Surcharges on the exam
If you want extra time, an individually supervised exam or an interpreter, you say so when you book. For extra time, individual supervision and an exam in the evening or at the weekend, the CBR charges a surcharge per exam.
With an interpreter, you arrange and pay an official interpreter yourself, on top of the regular exam fee; the CBR treats an exam with an interpreter as an individually supervised exam. The CBR's recreational boating tariffs list no amount for the interpreter.
| Surcharge | 2026 | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Extra time | €13.50 | €14.00 |
| Individually supervised exam (up to and including 60 minutes) | €41.60 | €43.00 |
| Exam in the evening or at the weekend | €6.25 | €6.50 |
- CBR – Costs of a recreational boating licence (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- CBR – Booking a recreational boating theory exam (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- CBR – Tariffs 2026: individually supervised short exam (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- CBR – Tariffs 2027 (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- CBR – Theory exam with an interpreter: arranging one, costs and glossary (opens in a new window)
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Dutch boat licence exam cost?
The CBR charges one amount for the theory exam and a separate amount for the application for the licence. The 2026 amounts (checked on 22 October 2026) and the amounts from 1 January 2027 are in the first table on this page.
Is the licence itself included in the exam fee?
No. The CBR charges a separate fee for the application for your licence.
Does an interpreter cost extra?
Yes. You arrange and pay an official interpreter yourself, on top of the regular exam fee. The CBR treats an exam with an interpreter as an individually supervised exam.
Are Examenzaal's practice exams part of the CBR fee?
No. Examenzaal is independent practice material, in Dutch; buying it doesn't book a CBR exam.
This explanation was written by Examenzaal. We checked the CBR's information on 22 October 2026 and 24 October 2026. Examenzaal is an independent provider of practice material. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
Practise in Dutch
Our Klein Vaarbewijs 1 practice exams are in Dutch; there is no English version. Each one has 40 questions. You see your result (pass or fail, your score and the explanation per question) after handing in, with full access: €19.95 incl. VAT, one payment, no subscription.