Getting Started

Requirements for Boat Driving License in Singapore

There are three stages to obtain your PPCDL. Qualify, Exam and Practical. 

• For exact Marine Port Authority details, please visit this link.
• For a basic overview of the PPCDL process, please follow this link.

QUALIFY: In order to qualify for the PPCDL, applicants must:

• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Book and successfully complete an approved course in handling of a powered pleasure craft. The course is generally held two days over a weekend with a group of 5-10 other applicants. Costs can vary depending on the venue but applicants should expect to pay around SG$300 – SG$350. Prices can be slightly cheaper for students whilst some clubs also offer discounted rates for their members.
• Produce a valid medical certificate stating that you have passed a sight test and are not physically handicapped. Click here to download a medical report.

NOTES: Upon completion of the course, applicants will need to book their exam, which generally takes place around one month after the initial course. *If you need your PPCDL urgently*, applicants can pre-book their exam before taking the course. Please note, however, that you will still need to have completed the course before taking the final exam.

EXAM: at Singapore Polytechnic,

Once you have completed your course, you will need to book your Exam at Singapore Polytechnic,

• $20 + GST for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.
• $40 + GST for Foreigners.

If you fail, you will need to book and pay again. The one-hour exams are only held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 19:00-20:00 and 20:00-21:00.

• To successfully complete the PPCDL Examination you will need to answer 26 questions or higher correctly out of 30 questions to pass.

NOTES: A lot of people fail the first time. It is not uncommon for applicants to book two (or even four) exams in one week. If you fail, however, you will need to rebook the exam again (which can take up to a month).

To apply for the PPCDL, applicants will need to submit the following via DIGIPORT – for SingPass holders, please choose Individual and enter your SingPass to login. If you do not have SingPass, please choose Online Forms.

1. A copy of your result slip of the PPCDL Examination from the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA).
2. Identity Card (for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents) or Passport / FIN (for foreigners).
3. One recent passport-sized photograph.

PRACTICAL: PPCDL Practical Handling Assessment

You will now need to book your PPCDL Practical Handling Assessment which before COVID only take place on Saturday mornings at 09:00 (better, less wind and vessel movement) or 11:00 at Poly Marina (50 West Coast Ferry Road, located next to the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club)

• $100 + GST for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.
• $150 + GST for Foreigners.

Applicants will be split into groups and the assessment will target the following five competencies:

1. Overall Hull, Engine & Equipment Check.
2. Unberthing
3. Man-Overboard Drill.
4. Berthing.
5. Scenarios (oral test).

Applicants will then have a one-on-one exam with the assessors to go through lights, signals, and other scenarios.

NOTES: If you are not confident, you can contact your PPCDL center for a refresher course, which can be completed at your original course venue. In addition, applicants can also book refresher courses at the actual venue where the course will be held – this is especially helpful if you have never been to the Poly Marina and don’t know the surrounding environment.

Once you pass the practical you will be able to go to your Digiport and pay for your physical boat driving license (SG$20).

Advanced Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (APPCDL)

In order to qualify for the APPCDL, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have successfully completed an approved course in the handling of an Advanced Powered Pleasure Craft, conducted at the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA).
• Produce a valid certificate issued by a medical practitioner certifying that the applicant has passed a sight test and is not physically handicapped.
• Successfully completed the APPCDL Examinations conducted by the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA).

To apply for a new PPCDL, applicants will need to submit the following via Digiport – for SingPass holders, please choose Individual and enter your SingPass to login. If you do not have SingPass, please choose Online Forms.

1. A copy of your result slip of the APPCDL Examination from the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA).
2. Identity Card (for Singapore citizens and permanent residents) or Passport/ FIN (for foreigners).
3. One recent passport-sized photograph.

Applications for a new APPCDL must be made within one year of passing the examination (if not, applicants will need to re-take the examination). Online applications will be processed within the next working day. Applicants will then receive an email with transfer payment details. Once paid, your receipt will serve as a temporary boat driving license whilst your APPCDL license card is being produced. Please expect a further two weeks until the license is posted to your residential address.

Congratulations, you’ve passed your PPCDL!

Now it’s time to get out on the water and join Singapore’s boating community. After getting a boat driving license in Singapore, now if you are looking to purchase a boat, there are a lot of yacht dealers and brokers on the island offering boats of all shapes and sizes for all budgets, here’s our featured dealer list

If you aren’t ready to splash out on a new boat, there are other ways to get on the water without buying a boat.