CECCHI: “Today marks the beginning of a new phase, allowing young people to approach recreational boating with awareness, just as they do with driving licenses under the Highway Code.”
On April 10, 2025, Patrizia Scarchilli, Director of the General Directorate for the Sea and Maritime Transport at the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT), signed Decree No. 57, which contains the exam questions for the D1 boating license—commonly referred to as the “daylight license.” This license authorizes navigation within 6 nautical miles from the coast using boats with engines up to 115 horsepower, and can now be obtained by individuals as young as 16 years old.
The final eligibility test, administered at the end of the training course, consists of 15 multiple-choice questions. The candidate must correctly answer at least 12 questions within 30 minutes to pass.
The training course, including the final quiz, is provided directly by licensed boating schools. It must have a minimum total duration of 5 hours, be conducted as in-person classroom sessions, and be divided into lessons no longer than 2 hours per day.
In addition, practical exercises involving navigation and engine maneuvering must be held individually and last at least five non-consecutive hours. These sessions must take place on recreational vessels at least 5.90 meters in length, equipped with an engine exceeding 40 HP, and registered in the Italian Recreational Craft Telematic Register (ATCN).
Boating schools are required to notify the Harbor Master’s Office, local Province, and Motor Vehicle Authority of the location, date, and time of both the training sessions and final exam, along with the names of the participants and a video conferencing link to allow oversight and verification of compliance.
“A new phase begins today, with young people now able—starting from the age of 16—to approach recreational boating, much like they have long been able to obtain driving licenses,”
said Saverio Cecchi, President of Confindustria Nautica.
“It is crucial that this happens in time for the summer season, coinciding with the National Sea Day in Schools, strongly promoted and achieved by Confindustria Nautica. This also comes at a time when the current economic climate is significantly impacting the small boating sector.
The measure ideally complements the incentive program for scrapping small combustion engines in favor of electric propulsion systems, available for both registered and unregistered boats, with applications open through Invitalia from April 8 to May 8.”
The D1 boating license exam content is established by the Ministerial Decree of November 27, 2024, available here:
🔗 Decree – Ministry of Transport 27/11/2024 – D1 License Exam Program
📚 Overview of the D1 License Exam Subjects
- Hull Theory
- Nomenclature of key hull components
- Propeller and rudder effects; stability principles
- Engines
- Basic functioning of propulsion systems
- Minor malfunctions and basic interventions
- Calculating range based on engine power and fuel level
- Navigation Safety
- Fire extinguisher use; risks from alcohol and substance use
- Safety equipment for coastal day navigation (within 6 NM)
- Fire prevention; actions during accidents (fire, collision, flooding, grounding, man overboard)
- Emergency procedures and evacuation
- Bad weather precautions and rescue signals
- Maneuvering and Handling
- Harbor entry/exit, coastal proximity, and shared water activities
- Mooring, unmooring, anchoring
- Boat handling techniques
- COLREGs – Navigation Rules
- Collision avoidance, light and day signals
- Maritime signage and inland navigation rules
- Meteorology
- Basic weather concepts relevant to nearshore day navigation
- Navigation Techniques
- Dead reckoning: time, distance, speed
- Heading and course; wind and current effects
- Drift and leeway; nautical publications (e.g., pilot books)
- Recreational Boating and Environmental Regulations
- Commander’s duties and responsibilities
- Required onboard documents
- Rules on bathing, water skiing, recreational and underwater fishing
- Environmental protection and marine protected areas
8.1 Relevant Laws and Regulations
- Recreational boating code and implementing regulations
- Local maritime or inland navigation ordinances
For additional information and official materials, visit:
🔗 www.patente.it
🔗 www.confindustrianautica.net