Licencia de Navegación Course
Spanish Boat Licence in One Day — Valencia
From Zero to Skipper in 6 Hours
The Licencia de Navegación is the fastest way to a real Spanish boat licence.
If you want to drive your own boat in Spain — to take friends out, rent a motorboat without a captain, or just enjoy the freedom of the sea — the Licencia de Navegación is the title you need. It is a real, official licence issued under the same legal framework as the more advanced PER (Real Decreto 259/2002), but it can be completed in a single day with no formal exam.
Our course is designed for visitors and locals who want a proper licence quickly. We run it as a one-on-one or small group (max 4 students) in Valencia. You arrive with no experience and leave with a certificate that lets you skipper a boat up to 6 metres anywhere along the Spanish coast.
Course Structure — 2 h Theory + 4 h Practical
Single day, real teaching, no shortcuts.
2 h Theory
Navigation rules, basic safety, what to do in an emergency, weather basics, radio use. We provide the materials in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German or Russian.
4 h On-Water Practical
Real driving in Valencia waters. Casting off, manoeuvring in the marina, anchoring, mooring, man-overboard drill, basic navigation.
Certificate Issued
We complete the paperwork on the same day. The official Licencia de Navegación card is mailed to your home address within 2-4 weeks.
What the Licencia de Navegación Permits
Official rights granted under Spanish maritime law.
Boats up to 6 m
Drive any motorboat or sailboat up to 6 metres in length, including most popular rental boats in Valencia.
Up to 2 NM from shore
Navigate up to 2 nautical miles from the coastline — covers all coastal swimming, fishing, and exploring.
Daylight only
Operation permitted from sunrise to sunset. For night navigation you would need the more advanced PER.
Valid for life
Indefinite validity throughout Spain (and recognised in many EU countries). No renewal exams.
Issued under the framework of Real Decreto 259/2002 and current regulations published by the Spanish Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible / Dirección General de la Marina Mercante.
The 4-Hour Practical — What You Actually Do on the Water
The on-water portion is the heart of the course. You take the helm of a real motorboat in Valencia's working harbour and complete the full syllabus: casting off from a pontoon, manoeuvring in tight marina spaces, accelerating and decelerating safely, anchoring in a chosen spot, picking up a mooring buoy, and the mandatory man-overboard drill.
Our instructor sits beside you the whole time and intervenes only if necessary. By the end of the four hours you will feel comfortable taking a boat out on your own — which is exactly the standard required for the Licencia de Navegación.
Course Pricing
All-inclusive: theory, practical, materials, paperwork, certificate.
Per student
From €120
Includes 2 h theory, 4 h on-water practical, all materials, federation registration, and licence issuance fee. Medical certificate (€20) and official card production (€20) are billed separately by the issuing authority.
What Our Students Say
Real feedback from recent course graduates.
I have lived in Valencia for 3 years and always wanted to rent a boat. Did the course on a Saturday, drove a boat with my family the next weekend. Worth every euro.
Jonas R.
Berlin / Valencia
Instructor was incredibly patient. I had zero experience. The practical was the best part — proper hands-on, no shortcuts. Came home with a real licence.
Sophie L.
Lyon, France
Did the course as a gift for my husband's birthday. Instructor adapted the theory to a non-Spanish speaker without dumbing it down. Genuinely useful.
Elena P.
Moscow / Valencia
Explore other charters
Discover more ways to enjoy the Valencia coast
Boat Driving Lessons Valencia — FAQ
No formal written or practical exam. The Licencia de Navegación is issued on continuous assessment by the certified instructor during the 6-hour course. This is the legal route established under Real Decreto 259/2002 — it is a real, official Spanish boat licence, not a 'lite' version.
16 years old with written parental consent, 18 years old without consent. Younger students can attend the theory but cannot be issued the certificate until their 16th birthday.
No. We run the course in English, French, Italian, German, and Russian. The official certificate is in Spanish and English. The on-water commands are simple and we will walk you through them in your language.
You receive a temporary certificate on the day of the course, which is legally valid for sailing immediately. The official plastic Licencia de Navegación card is mailed to your home address within 2 to 4 weeks by the Federación Española issuing authority.
Yes. The Licencia de Navegación is a national licence — valid in every Spanish marina from the Costa Brava to Andalucia and the Balearic and Canary Islands. It is also recognised by many EU countries for chartering small boats.
The same licence covers jetskis — there is no engine power limit on PWCs for licence holders. If you specifically want to focus on jetski riding, see our dedicated jetski licence course which uses a PWC for the practical instead of a motorboat.
Yes. You need a 'certificado médico náutico' from any maritime-approved clinic in Spain (cost approximately €20, valid for 3 years). We can recommend a clinic in Valencia that does the check-up in 20 minutes the morning of your course.
Yes — Valencia has mild winters and we run courses year-round. The on-water portion is in fact more comfortable in October-April when the marina is quieter. We provide foul-weather jackets if needed.
Book Your Boat Licence Course
Courses run every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Limited to 4 students per session.