100+ Free Swiss Boat Skipper Theory (Kat. A/D) Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Swiss Boat Skipper Theory (Kat. A/D) Exam

Exam Questions

vks / BSV

165/180

Passing Score (max 15 error pts)

vks

45 min

Time Limit

vks

24 months

Theory Test Validity

BSV Art. 87

> 6 kW / > 15 m²

Licence Thresholds (Motor / Sail)

BSV Art. 76

CHF 30 / 40

Typical Cantonal Fee

Cantonal Schifffahrtsämter

Swiss boat skipper candidates take a common 60-question multiple-response theory exam administered by cantonal navigation offices. Bern allows 45 minutes and confirms that the same theory test applies to every licence category. Passing requires at least 165 of 180 points (maximum 15 error points), and the pass remains valid for 24 months toward the practical examination.

Sample Swiss Boat Skipper Theory (Kat. A/D) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Swiss Boat Skipper Theory (Kat. A/D) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary legal basis governing recreational navigation and skipper licensing on Swiss inland waterways?

A.The Federal Inland Navigation Ordinance (Binnenschifffahrtsverordnung, BSV)

B.The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs)

C.The Swiss Maritime Navigation Act (Seeschifffahrtsgesetz)

D.The Federal Road Traffic Act (Strassenverkehrsgesetz)

Explanation: The Binnenschifffahrtsverordnung (BSV, SR 747.201.1) is the Swiss federal ordinance regulating navigation, safety equipment, traffic rules, and skipper licences (Categories A and D) on all Swiss inland waters.

2Under Swiss inland navigation rules, at what engine power threshold is a Category A skipper licence mandatory for operating a motorboat?

A.Over 4 kW

B.Over 6 kW

C.Over 8 kW

D.Over 10 kW

Explanation: Under BSV Article 76, a Category A skipper licence is required to operate any motorized vessel with an engine power exceeding 6 kW (approx. 8.16 hp) on Swiss inland waterways (except Lake Constance, where the BSO threshold is 4.4 kW).

3What sail area threshold requires a Category D skipper licence on standard Swiss inland waters?

A.Over 10 m²

B.Over 12 m²

C.Over 15 m²

D.Over 20 m²

Explanation: According to BSV Article 76, a Category D sailing licence is mandatory for sailing vessels with a total sail area exceeding 15 m² on Swiss inland waters (on Lake Constance, the BSO sets the limit at 12 m²).

4What is the minimum age required in Switzerland to obtain a Category A motorboat skipper licence?

A.14 years

B.16 years

C.20 years

D.18 years

Explanation: Under BSV Article 81, the minimum age to acquire a Category A motorboat licence (for vessels > 6 kW) is 18 years, whereas Category D sailing licences can be acquired from age 14.

5Which vessel category has the highest priority in the Swiss right-of-way hierarchy on open water?

A.Scheduled passenger vessels displaying a green ball by day

B.Sailing vessels running before the wind

C.Rowing boats in competitive training

D.Professional fishermen displaying a yellow ball

Explanation: Under BSV Article 44, priority vessels (Vorrangschiffe, typically scheduled public passenger ships displaying a green ball by day or green all-round light by night) have the highest right-of-way over all other vessel types.

6In what order must ordinary watercraft yield right-of-way according to Swiss navigation rules?

A.Sailing craft yield to motorized craft, which yield to rowing craft, which yield to cargo vessels

B.Motorized craft yield to rowing craft, which yield to sailing craft, which yield to professional fishermen, which yield to priority vessels

C.Rowing craft yield to motorized craft, which yield to sailing craft, which yield to priority vessels

D.Motorized craft yield to priority vessels only; all other craft must yield to motorized craft

Explanation: The BSV priority hierarchy from highest to lowest is: Priority vessels (Vorrangschiffe) > Freight/cargo vessels (Güterschiffe) > Professional fishermen (Berufsfischer) > Sailing vessels (Segelschiffe) > Rowing/unpowered craft (Ruderboote) > Motorized pleasure craft (Motorboote). Thus motorized craft yield to rowing, which yield to sailing, etc.

7When two motorized vessels are approaching on reciprocal (head-on) courses with risk of collision, how must each vessel alter its course?

A.Each vessel must alter its course to port (left) to pass starboard-to-starboard

B.The larger vessel maintains course while the smaller vessel alters course to starboard

C.Each vessel must alter its course to starboard (right) to pass port-to-port

D.The vessel on windward maintains course while the leeward vessel alters course

Explanation: Under BSV Article 45, when two motorized vessels meet head-on, each vessel must alter course to starboard (to the right) so that each passes on the port side (left side) of the other.

8When two motorized vessels are on crossing courses where paths intersect, which vessel has the obligation to give way?

A.The vessel that sees the other on its own port (left) side must give way

B.The faster vessel must always give way regardless of direction

C.The vessel approaching from behind must cross ahead quickly

D.The vessel that sees the other on its own starboard (right) side must give way

Explanation: Under the standard right-before-left rule (BSV Art. 45), when two motorized vessels are crossing, the vessel that has the other on its starboard side must keep out of the way (yield) and avoid crossing ahead of the other.

9When two sailing vessels have the wind on different sides, which vessel must give way under BSV rules?

A.The vessel with the wind on the port side must give way to the vessel with the wind on the starboard side (port tack yields to starboard tack)

B.The vessel with the wind on the starboard side must give way to the vessel with the wind on the port side

C.The vessel sailing closer to the wind must always give way

D.The larger sailing vessel must yield to the smaller sailing vessel

Explanation: Under BSV Article 46 (and international sailing rules), when two sailing vessels have the wind on different sides, the vessel that has the wind on the port side (Backbordbug / port tack) must give way to the vessel that has the wind on the starboard side (Steuerbordbug / starboard tack).

10When two sailing vessels have the wind on the same side, which vessel has the duty to keep out of the way?

A.The vessel which is to leeward (downwind) must give way to the vessel to windward

B.The vessel which is to windward (upwind) must give way to the vessel which is to leeward (downwind)

C.The vessel sailing faster must alter course immediately to port

D.Both vessels must tack simultaneously away from each other

Explanation: Under BSV Article 46, when two sailing vessels have the wind on the same side, the windward vessel (Luvseite / upwind) must keep clear of the leeward vessel (Leeseite / downwind).

About the Swiss Boat Skipper Theory (Kat. A/D) Exam

The Swiss Boat Skipper Theory Examination (Schiffsführerprüfung Basistheorieprüfung) is the mandatory theoretical examination required to obtain a boat licence for motorboats with engine power exceeding 6 kW (Category A) and sailing vessels with a sail area exceeding 15 m² (Category D; 12 m² on Lake Constance) on Swiss inland waterways. Standardized under the federal Inland Navigation Ordinance (Binnenschifffahrtsverordnung, BSV, SR 747.201.1) and coordinated by the Association of Cantonal Shipping Offices (vks), the computer-based examination evaluates candidates on right-of-way rules, navigation lights, sound signals, visual waterway signs, buoyage systems, storm warning services, seamanship, emergency protocols, and environmental water protection regulations.

Assessment

The official Swiss boat skipper theory test is a 60-question tablet examination worth 180 points, allowing a maximum of 15 error points. More than one response may be right or wrong, and Bern confirms that the same theory examination serves every boat-licence category. This bank provides 100 single-best-answer questions in English as a study adaptation; it is not an official translation or format simulation and cannot replace Category A or D practical boat handling or sailing preparation. The percentages below describe this bank's coverage, not an official VKS topic weighting.

Time Limit

45 minutes in Bern (confirm local administration details with the examining canton)

Passing Score

Minimum 165 out of 180 points (max 15 error points)

Exam Fee

Canton-specific: CHF 30 in Bern and CHF 40 in Zurich in 2026 (Vereinigung der kantonalen Schifffahrtsämter (vks) / Kantonale Schifffahrtsämter)

Swiss Boat Skipper Theory (Kat. A/D) Exam Content Outline

33%

Navigation & Right-of-Way Rules

Rules of the road on inland waterways, priority hierarchy (priority vessels, cargo ships, professional fishermen, sailing craft, rowing craft, motorboats), encounter situations, overtaking, and inner/outer shoreline zones

27%

Optical Signals, Lights & Buoyage

Navigation lights (masthead, sidelights, stern light), day and night markings for vessels, sound signals (blasts), visual waterway signs (prohibitory, mandatory, restrictive, recommendation, informative), and lake buoyage systems

27%

Seamanship, Safety Equipment & Environmental Protection

Mandatory safety gear (lifejackets, anchors, fire extinguishers, bailers), mooring and maneuvering safety, towing, water pollution prevention, noise control, wildlife reserves, and shore protection rules

13%

Meteorology, Lake Specifics & Emergency Regulations

Swiss weather patterns (Föhn, Bise, squall lines), storm warning signals (40 flashes/min caution, 90 flashes/min emergency), distress signals (red flare, waving arms, sound signals), salvage duties, and BSV/BSO legal framework

How to Pass the Swiss Boat Skipper Theory (Kat. A/D) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Minimum 165 out of 180 points (max 15 error points)
Assessment: The official Swiss boat skipper theory test is a 60-question tablet examination worth 180 points, allowing a maximum of 15 error points. More than one response may be right or wrong, and Bern confirms that the same theory examination serves every boat-licence category. This bank provides 100 single-best-answer questions in English as a study adaptation; it is not an official translation or format simulation and cannot replace Category A or D practical boat handling or sailing preparation. The percentages below describe this bank's coverage, not an official VKS topic weighting.
Time limit: 45 minutes in Bern (confirm local administration details with the examining canton)
Exam fee: Canton-specific: CHF 30 in Bern and CHF 40 in Zurich in 2026

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Swiss Boat Skipper Theory (Kat. A/D) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the priority hierarchy thoroughly: passenger vessels with priority status > commercial cargo vessels > professional fishermen (with yellow ball/light) > sailing vessels > rowing craft / unpowered paddle craft > motorized pleasure craft.

2Memorize the official warning signals: the strong-wind warning (Starkwindwarnung) uses about 40 orange flashes per minute, while the storm warning (Sturmwarnung) uses about 90 flashes per minute.

3Learn the shore zones and speed limits: in the inner shore zone (within 150 m of shore), maximum speed is 10 km/h and perpendicular approach/departure is mandatory; in the outer shore zone (150 m to 300 m), maximum speed is also 10 km/h.

4Understand navigation lights by vessel type and length: vessels under motor power >= 12 m require masthead light, red/green sidelights, and stern light; small craft < 12 m can use combined sidelights and white all-round light.

5Practice sound signal interpretations: one short blast (altering course to starboard), two short blasts (altering course to port), three short blasts (operating astern propulsion), one prolonged blast (blind corner warning or attention).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the theory test the same for motorboat (Category A) and sailing (Category D) in Switzerland?

Yes. Under the Swiss federal Inland Navigation Ordinance (BSV, Art. 86–87) and vks regulations, the basic theory examination is identical for both Category A (motorboats > 6 kW) and Category D (sailing boats > 15 m²). A single pass satisfies the theoretical requirement for both categories.

How many questions are on the Swiss boat skipper theory test?

The official exam contains 60 questions worth a total of 180 points. More than one displayed response may be right or wrong, so candidates must evaluate each response rather than assume a single-best-answer format.

What is the passing score for the Swiss boat theory test?

Candidates must achieve at least 165 out of 180 points, meaning a maximum of 15 error points is allowed to pass.

How long is a passed Swiss boat theory test valid?

A passed theory examination is valid for 24 months. If you do not pass the practical navigation examination within 24 months, the theory test must be retaken.

What official learning material is recommended for the exam?

The Association of Cantonal Shipping Offices (vks) recommends the official handbook 'Gute Fahrt auf schweizerischen Gewässern' ('Conduire un bateau sur les eaux suisses'), which includes access to the official vks online learning app (Navapp).