Do yachts need a driver's license?

At present, yacht driver's licenses are widely used in national waters, which are divided into maritime and inland rivers. Maritime driver's license can't sail in inland rivers, and inland river driver's license can't sail at sea. Driving a yacht requires a driver's license. The yacht driving license required for sailing a yacht must pass the training prescribed by the competent authority and the examination organized by the competent authority before it can be obtained. At present, yacht driver's license is relatively common in the national waters, which can be divided into two types: offshore driver's license and inland river driver's license. A maritime driver's license cannot sail in inland navigation areas, and an inland driver's license cannot sail at sea. You don't need a driver's license to drive a private yacht, but you need a yacht operator's certificate of competency. Yacht operators shall undergo special training and examination, have professional knowledge and skills suitable for the yacht they are driving and the sailing waters, master the basic requirements of water fire fighting, lifesaving and emergency response, and obtain the yacht operator's competency certificate issued by the maritime administrative agency.

An application for a yacht driver's certificate shall meet the following basic requirements:

1, age 16 to 65 years old;

2. Conform to the standard of Physical Examination Requirements for Seafarers (Hongzi [1994] No.208), especially meet the requirements of vision, listening and conversation skills.

Applicants for the yacht pilot examination shall submit the following materials at the time of registration:

1, my ID card or passport (or copy);

2 yacht driver examination, evaluation and certification application form;

3. Physical examination form;

4. Four one-inch color ID photos with bareheaded front and white background;

5. Valid vessel driving certificate (if applicable).

To sum up, driving a yacht requires a yacht driver's license. At present, yacht driver's license is as common as car driver's license in the whole country, and yacht driver's license will be issued by the maritime safety administration after passing the training. Yacht drivers must pass the training prescribed by the competent authority and pass the examination by the competent authority, and obtain the yacht driver certificate issued by the competent authority. Institutions applying for yacht driver training must report to the competent department in accordance with the regulations.

Legal basis:

Article 7 of People's Republic of China (PRC) Maritime Traffic Safety Law

Units and individuals engaged in navigation, berthing, operation of ships and offshore facilities and other activities related to maritime traffic shall abide by laws, administrative regulations, rules, mandatory standards and technical specifications related to maritime traffic safety; Enjoy the rights of maritime safety and salvage according to law, and undertake the obligations of maintaining maritime traffic safety and protecting marine ecological environment.