- 15 mmaximum motorboat length under the standard privilegeReal Decreto 875/2014
- 12 nautical milesoffshore from the coast, or within either archipelagoReal Decreto 875/2014
- 45 questionsin the theory examination2026 recreational examinations; Annex III marking criteria
- 90 minutesto complete the paper2026 recreational examinations; Annex III marking criteria
- 16 h + 12 hboat practice plus the SRC courseReal Decreto 875/2014
- From 18the minimum age for the PERReal Decreto 875/2014
The capable coastal licenceWhat the PER is, in plain English
PER stands for Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo, Spain's Recreational boat skipper qualification. Its standard privilege is for motorboats up to 15 metres, out to 12 nautical miles from the coast, or anywhere within either the Balearic or Canary archipelago.
Your normal cruising groundWhat you can take on
For motorboat trips, the PER gives you a meaningful coastal cruising radius without turning the sea into a blank cheque. You can also move around within the Balearic or Canary archipelago; sailing needs its own complementary training.
With the standard PER, you can
- Use motorboats up to 15 metres
- Navigate up to 12 nautical miles offshore
- Navigate within either the Balearic or Canary archipelago
The standard PER does not give you
- The extended 24-metre privilege without the extra practice
- The mainland Spain to Balearics passage without the extra practice
- A sailing endorsement without complementary sailing training
Before you bookWhat you need
- Be at least 18 years old
- Meet the medical-fitness requirement
- Complete the required training
- Complete complementary sailing training if you want the sailing endorsement
A clear route to the helmHow to earn the PER
- Study the full official syllabus
Prepare navigation rules (RIPA / COLREG 1972), IALA buoyage, lights and shapes, sound and light signals, basic navigation, weather, maritime safety and propulsion.
- Pass the theory examination
Answer the 45 questions in 90 minutes and score at least 32, while staying within the separate error limits.
- Complete your boat practice
Do at least 16 hours of basic safety and navigation practice.
- Complete the radio course
Take the 12-hour short-range radio course, known as SRC.
- Receive the title from the competent authority
PER titles are issued by the Dirección General de la Marina Mercante or the competent autonomous-community authority.
The paper itselfHow the exam is marked
| Part | What you need |
|---|---|
| Paper | 45 questions in 90 minutes |
| Overall score | At least 32 correct |
| RIPA errors | No more than 5 |
| Buoyage errors | No more than 2 |
| Chartwork errors | No more than 2 |
Where it sits in SpainThe recreational licence ladder
- Licencia de navegacióndaytime from a port, marina or shelter
- Patrón para navegación básicafrom a port, marina or shelter
- Patrón de embarcaciones de recreo24 metres with extra practice
- Patrón de yatefrom shore
- Capitán de yatewithout geographical limits
Our verdict
Why it works
- A strong step up to motorboats up to 15 metres
- A 12-nautical-mile offshore limit for proper coastal passages
- An optional route to 24 metres and mainland Spain to the Balearics
Watch for this
- The theory paper has both an overall score and subject-specific error limits
- Boat practice and the SRC course are required as well as the examination
- Sailing calls for complementary sailing training
Choose the PER when your motorboat plans have outgrown short, local runs and you want a well-defined coastal cruising qualification. It is especially good value when the Balearic or Canary archipelago is in your sailing area; add the extra practice only if the larger boat and mainland-to-Balearics crossing genuinely fit your plans.
Topics tested by the PER
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Practice questions (with answers)
Safe water marks have:
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Red and white vertical stripes
Safe water marks are red and white vertical stripes, indicating navigable water all around.
Special marks are coloured:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Yellow
Special marks are yellow, indicating special areas like military zones, cables, or pipelines.
In a Rule 15 crossing encounter, the give-way vessel shall, if circumstances admit:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Keep well clear and avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel
Rule 15 requires the give-way vessel to keep out of the way and, if circumstances admit, avoid crossing ahead. Rules 8 and 16 require early, substantial and effective action; the safe choice of course or speed depends on the whole situation.
The stand-on vessel MUST take action to help avoid collision when:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel acting alone
Rule 17(b): once so close that the give-way vessel alone cannot avoid collision, the stand-on vessel shall take action that best helps avoid it. Rule 17(a)(ii) separately permits earlier action when the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.
Except where Rules 9, 10 or 13 otherwise require, a power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of all these EXCEPT:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Another power-driven vessel of larger size
Rule 18(a): power-driven vessels give way to NUC, RAM, fishing, and sailing vessels — but size alone does not determine priority.
In restricted visibility, your vessel detects another by radar alone forward of the beam and needs to alter course to avoid collision. The target is not being overtaken. So far as possible, avoid:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Alter course to port
Rule 19(d)(i): when course alteration is chosen for a radar-only contact, avoid a port alteration for a vessel forward of the beam, other than a vessel being overtaken.
How does IALA Region B differ from Region A?
Show answer
Correct answer: B. The colours are reversed — red to starboard
Region A: port-hand red, starboard-hand green. Region B: port-hand green, starboard-hand red. Interpret both in the charted conventional direction of buoyage.
An East Cardinal mark shows how many quick flashes?
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 3 flashes
White lights, when fitted: North Q or VQ; East VQ(3) 5 s or Q(3) 10 s; South VQ(6)+LFl 10 s or Q(6)+LFl 15 s; West VQ(9) 10 s or Q(9) 15 s. The long flash lasts at least 2 s.
The full guide
The PER is a Spanish recreational qualification for motorboats up to 15 m and within 12 nautical miles of the coast. It also permits motorboats up to 15 m to navigate between islands within the Balearic archipelago and within the Canary archipelago. Sailing requires complementary sailing training. Titles are issued by the DGMM or the competent autonomous-community authority.
The PER syllabus covers navigation rules (RIPA / COLREG 1972), IALA buoyage, lights and shapes, sound and light signals, basic navigation, weather, maritime safety and propulsion.
Who should take the PER
For skippers whose intended motorboat trips fit the PER limits, subject to the required qualification, medical fitness and training. Sailing and extended attributions have additional requirements.
How to prepare
Follow the full official PER syllabus. The theory exam has 45 questions in 90 minutes, with at least 32 correct and specific error limits for buoyage, COLREG and chart work. The qualification also requires 16 hours of basic safety and navigation practice and a 12-hour short-range radio course. These quizzes help with selected maritime topics and do not replace the full syllabus or assessment.
Other exams
Reviewed by Ramon Curto, Nautical teacher at IECNPC · Last reviewed: