Owning a boat

Skip to contents of guide

Safety on inland waterways

You may need to get a Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate before you can register or buy a licence to use inland waterways, such as rivers and canals.

You do not need a certificate if you have a privately owned ‘open boat’ with no motor, for example a canoe, paddleboard or rowboat.

Some other types of boat (for example privately owned ‘open boats’ with outboard motors and no electrical systems) may also be exempt - check with the navigation authority that manages your chosen waterway.

All boats requiring a BSS certificate have to be tested every 4 years.

You’re responsible for maintaining your boat to BSS certificate standards between tests.

Find the latest boat safety notices.

Rules of the waterways

You must drive on the right and pass other boats port to port on all waterways.

On rivers, the boat coming downstream has right of way.

Under bridges, the boat closest to the bridge has right of way. Keep right until the boat has passed.

The maximum speed on narrow canals is 4 miles per hour (mph).

The Boater’s Handbook gives more information on waterway rules.

New boats

New boats should already meet the standards, so you will not need to have them checked.

You may be asked for the certificate proving that your new boat meets the required standards when you register it.

You’ll need to get a BSS certificate after 4 years and renew it every 4 years after that, unless you’re exempt.

Penalty for not having a certificate

You’ll be penalised if you do not have a certificate for your boat and are not exempt.

The penalty depends on which navigation authority manages the waterway you’re using.

If you own a commercial boat

You may need a BSS certificate if your boat carries 12 passengers or fewer - check the BSS guidance.

You’ll need a Passenger Certificate issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) if you’re carrying more than 12 passengers.

You should also check whether you need: