Want to take a high-speed certificate

Here you will find an overview of educational institutions that offer high-speed courses! New health resorts are approved on an ongoing basis as the applications are received by the Norwegian Maritime Authority. 

When did the requirement for a high-speed certificate come into force?

Regulations on requirements for high-speed certificates for recreational boats under 24 meters that can reach a speed of 50 knots came into force in 2023.

You can find more about the application process here. 

Who Needs High-Speed Certificates?

Anyone who is going to drive Norwegian pleasure boats under 24 meters that can reach a speed of 50 knots or more must take the high-speed certificate.

This is regardless of whether you already have a boat driver's license or a Deck officer Class 5 Pleasure Craft license, for example.

The high-speed certificate in itself does not entitle you to drive a recreational boat, because the high-speed course will not provide basic training in driving a recreational boat.

If you were born in 1980 or later, this means that you must have a certificate of competence in addition. It can be a boating license, ICC ,Deck officer Class 5 Pleasure Craft license or a higher professional certificate.

If you were born before 1980, you are exempt from the requirement for a boating licence, and you will therefore cover the requirement to drive recreational boats subject to a boat driving licence without holding a certificate of competence. However, we would recommend that you have a minimum of competence equivalent to the boat driving test before completing the high-speed course.

Which vessels are covered by the regulations?

If the boat or jet ski with the engine installation in question can achieve 50 knots or more, a high-speed certificate will be required.

To simplify enforcement, a list of recreational craft that with certainty has a maximum speed of more than 50 knots. The list will be updated as new models are identified that are not already listed.

Drivers of recreational boats that can reach 50 knots or more will be subject to the requirement for a high-speed certificate even if the boat they are driving is not on the list. 

The driver is always responsible for familiarizing himself with and meeting the requirements that are set.  

Some jet skis come with various keys that put a speed limit on the scooter. This means that a jet ski that can initially go 50 knots or more, can with the use of such a key get a speed limit that is below 50 knots. The use of such keys will not exempt the operator from the requirement for a high-speed certificate if the speed potential of the watercraft, without the use of such keys, is 50 knots or more.

Speed test of recreational boat

A standardized speed test has been prepared that can be used to verify the maximum speed of a recreational boat. The test must be carried out by, or under the supervision of, a professional actor.

You can read more about the test here (pdf)

If you are in doubt whether the boat is going above or below 50 knots, we would recommend you to take the high-speed certificate. Then you are sure that you can drive the boat legally, and that you acquire useful knowledge about driving a leisure boat at high speed.

I have other Norwegian high-speed expertise. Do I still need a high-speed certificate?

In principle, anyone who is going to drive a recreational boat that can reach a speed of 50 knots or more must have a high-speed certificate. The NMA may decide that other Norwegian high-speed training may provide grounds for exemption from the requirement for high-speed courses, provided that the training is at the same level or higher than the high-speed certificate. 

Extensive experience with a private vessel will not be recognised as valid high-speed competence.

Here you will find an overview of which competencies have been assessed. (pdf)

Important: If a high-speed training course is considered to provide an exemption from the requirement for a course, you must still apply for the high-speed certificate. 

I have other foreign high-speed expertise. Do I still need a high-speed certificate?

Foreign citizens must comply with the same requirements as Norwegian citizens. A foreign citizen who wants to drive a Norwegian recreational craft that can reach a speed of 50 knots or more, must therefore in principle have a high-speed certificate.

However, the NMA sees that there may be foreign certificates of competence that can be equated with the Norwegian high-speed certificate. The NMA may therefore in some cases recognise foreign certificates of competence, which essentially satisfy the requirements for Norwegian high-speed certificates. 

The driver must be 18 years old in order for a recognised foreign high-speed certificate/certificate to be used on recreational craft that can go 50 knots or more in Norway. 

Here you will find an overview of the foreign high-speed skills that have been assessed. (pdf)

Recognised foreign high-speed certificates/certificates should generally only be used for temporary stays in Norway, e.g. for tourism. If you live permanently in Norway and are going to drive recreational craft that can go 50 knots or more, you must have the Norwegian high-speed certificate.

Will there be a requirement for a high-speed certificate on commercial vessels?

No, the new high-speed certificate will initially only apply to Norwegian recreational boats under 24 meters that can reach speeds of 50 knots or more.

The requirement for a high-speed certificate will thus not apply to vessels engaged in commercial activity.

What does the high-speed course consist of?

High-speed courses consist of a theoretical part, a practical part, and a theoretical test. The course providers decide for themselves whether the theoretical part should be held in a classroom or through e-learning. The theoretical part must have a minimum duration of 6 teaching hours. The practical part will have a duration of approx. two to four hours, this will depend on the number of course participants. Before the practical part can be completed, the theoretical part must be completed. If the theoretical and practical part is carried out at two different providers, it will be the provider of theory that is responsible for conducting the theoretical test.

The practical part will differentiate between boat and jet ski. This reflects the fact that boats and jet skis are in many ways two very different vessels that require different training. The learning objectives are detailed in the course description.

The age limit for completing the high-speed course itself is set at 17 years, i.e. one year before the certificate can be issued at the earliest. In addition, there is a requirement that you must have the right to drive a recreational craft subject to a boat driver's license before the course is completed. This means that if you were born on 1.1.1980 or later, you must have a minimum boating license.

You can read more in the Course description for high-speed certificates, which was established on 9 February 2022. (pdf)

I want to take a high-speed certificate

An overview of providers of high-speed certificates can be found here. Then you can contact the course venue directly and sign up.

What will high-speed certificates cost?

The NMA has not laid down guidelines for what the practical and theoretical course should cost. It will be up to the individual approved provider to price their courses.

In addition to the course fee, there is a fee to the NMA for issuing the certificate of NOK 412,-.