In South Australia Special Permits are a type of boat licence for children aged 12 to 15 years to operate a motorised vessel under modified conditions. Please note:
- Special Permit holders can not operate a personal watercraft (e.g- Jet Ski)
- A person between 12 and 15 years of age may only act as an observer of water skiers if they hold a Special Permit and the skipper piloting the boat is at least 18 years of age and holds a boat licence.
Your Special Permit will come with conditions depending on the type of examination undertaken:
1. Special Permit with the condition that the holder can only operate supervised with a Boat Licence holder
- Must pass a Special Permit theory examination.
- Special Permit is issued with conditions only allowing the holder to operate a boat under the supervision of a full Boat Licence holder.
- The majority of Special Permit holders would never operate unsupervised, so this is the most common type of Special Permit issued.
2. Special Permit with the condition that the holder can also operate unsupervised
- Must pass a Special Permit theory examination.
- Must pass a Special Permit practical examination (on water assessment) with a DIT Marine Safety Officer. Special Permit practical tests need to be booked by emailing DIT.marinesafety@sa.gov.au.
- Must supply a boat 4 metres or under in length that has the potential speed of 10 knots or less for the practical test to take place.
- If successful in gaining a Special Permit with the condition to operate unsupervised, the Special Permit holder can only operate a vessel that is 4 metres or less in length when operating unsupervised.
For further information on Special Permits visit SA.GOV.AU – Apply for a special permit (www.sa.gov.au)
