English: SBF Binnen | Engine
Kursbeschreibung
Learn to drive a motorboat on rivers and lakes
Would you like to take the helm yourself, explore inland waterways or charter a motorboat one day? With the SBF Binnen | Engine course, you learn to handle a motorboat safely and prepare for the official examination in German.
The Sportbootführerschein Binnen mit Antriebsmaschine, or SBF Binnen | Motor, is the German recreational boating licence for motorboats on inland waterways. At FluxAhoi, you combine clear theory lessons with practical training on the Spree. You learn in a small group, with personal guidance throughout the course.
When do I need this licence?
On German federal inland waterways, the SBF Binnen with an engine is required for recreational boats under 20 metres in length when the engine power exceeds 15 hp for combustion engines or 7.5 kW of continuous power for electric motors.
Even where a licence is not required, the course helps you handle a motorboat safely, assess traffic and weather conditions, and find your way on the water.
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Would you also like to learn to sail? You can book the English SBF Binnen | Sailing course separately or choose our English Sailing + Engine combination. With the combination, you prepare for both parts of the SBF Binnen and save compared with booking the courses separately.
What is included in the course?
Three practical motorboat sessions of 45 minutes each per person, arranged individually
Clear theory lessons in english covering inland navigation rules, waterway signs, right-of-way rules, navigation lights, weather, safety, boat handling and knots
Training in the German terminology needed for the official examination
Preparation for the official theory and practical examinations in German
Use of our motorboat for the practical examination
Help with questions about examination registration
How the practical training works
During your three practical sessions of 45 minutes each, you take the helm yourself and learn to handle the motorboat safely. You practise docking, undocking, the man-overboard recovery manoeuvre, stopping the boat and turning in a confined space. Rope handling and knots are part of the training too.
A booking slot normally lasts 90 minutes and is shared by two students. Each student receives 45 minutes of practical training during that slot. You arrange your practical dates individually after booking.
Your starting point is our vessel A. Köbis at Caroline-Tübbecke-Ufer in Berlin Stralau, opposite Treptower Park, on the Spree in the middle of Berlin.
Requirements for the examination (not for joining the course)
The minimum age for the SBF Binnen | Engine is 16.
To register for the examination, you need a medical fitness certificate and, as an adult, generally a valid driving licence. If you do not have a driving licence, you must submit a certificate of good conduct to the examination committee.
Minors need consent from their legal guardian and a medical fitness certificate. They do not need a driving licence or certificate of good conduct.
You will find out which additional documents to submit from the examination committee and in the information we send after your course booking.
The examination
The course prepares you for the official theory and practical examinations. German terminology is required for the official examination.
On selected dates, you can take both parts at FluxAhoi on A. Köbis. Depending on the date, theory and practice may take place on the same day. We will send you the registration link for examinations at FluxAhoi after you book your course.
Examination dates at FluxAhoi in Alt-Stralau:
Fri 9 October 2026, 10:00 am — motor and sailing practical examinations; complete theory examination
Sat 31 October 2026, 10:00 am — motor practical examination; complete theory examination
Sat 27 February 2027, 10:00 am — motor practical examination; complete theory examination
Fri 23 April 2027, 1:00 pm — motor and sailing practical examinations; complete theory examination
Fri 28 May 2027, 1:00 pm — motor and sailing practical examinations; complete theory examination
Fri 25 June 2027, 1:00 pm — motor and sailing practical examinations; complete theory examination
Fri 30 July 2027, 1:00 pm — motor and sailing practical examinations; complete theory examination
Fri 27 August 2027, 1:00 pm — motor and sailing practical examinations; complete theory examination
Fri 24 September 2027, 1:00 pm — motor and sailing practical examinations; complete theory examination
Sat 9 October 2027, 9:00 am — motor and sailing practical examinations; complete theory examination
Sat 30 October 2027, 10:00 am — motor practical examination; complete theory examination
You can also take the theory examination separately on a date offered by the Berlin examination committee. The FluxAhoi dates listed above are reserved for our students, so you will not find them on the German Sailing Association’s public examination calendar.
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Examination note: You may take the theory and practical examinations on different dates, in either order. You must pass all required parts within one year of taking the first part. If you exceed this period, a part you have already passed expires and must be taken again.
Costs and learning materials
Complete course with motorboat practice: €395 per person, including 19% VAT.
The complete course price includes the theory and practical training described above.
Official examination fees, the medical fitness certificate and any optional learning materials are charged separately. You can calculate the current examination fees with the official fee calculator.
You can obtain the medical fitness certificate from your own doctor. FluxAhoi also regularly offers medical examination appointments on A. Köbis. The cost with us is €30.
For optional examination preparation, we work with Bootsprüfung.de. As a FluxAhoi student, you receive 15% off the learning app.
Go to the Bootsprüfung.de learning app with your 15% discount
What happens after booking?
If you book the complete course, you first choose your theory course date. You then arrange your three practical sessions individually through our online practice booking system.
If you choose the online theory recording, we will also email you the access link to the recording after your payment has been received.