Does a 40 CV boat engine require an Italian boating licence?

Within six nautical miles, an Italian boating licence is required if the engine exceeds its applicable displacement limit or exceeds 30 kW (40.8 CV). A 40 CV engine can therefore require a licence if its displacement is over the relevant limit, even though its power is below the threshold. Beyond six miles, a licence is always required.

Compare power and displacement

Article 39 of the Italian pleasure-boating code requires a licence within six miles if the engine exceeds its applicable displacement limit or its power exceeds 30 kW (40.8 CV). The limits are 750 cc for a carburettor two-stroke, 900 cc for an injected two-stroke, 1,000 cc for a four-stroke outboard, 1,300 cc for a four-stroke inboard, 2,000 cc for a naturally aspirated diesel and 1,300 cc for a turbocharged diesel. These are strict thresholds: exactly 1,300 cc does not exceed a 1,300 cc limit.

For example, a 1,400 cc turbo diesel rated at 40 CV exceeds the 1,300 cc displacement limit, so a licence is required even though its power is below 40.8 CV. Conversely, a 900 cc four-stroke outboard rated at 32 kW exceeds the power threshold even though it is below 1,000 cc. 40 CV is not 40 kW.

Distance from shore changes the answer

If navigation goes beyond six nautical miles from shore, the boating licence is required whatever the installed power. Within six miles, exceeding either applicable displacement threshold or the power threshold is enough. The distance concerns the actual navigation area, not the straight-line distance from the departure port to the destination.

Before renting or operating the boat, verify power, displacement, engine type and permitted navigation area in the documents. For a borderline case, ask the Coast Guard or competent office. Do not confuse CV with kW: 40 CV is not 40 kW.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps you review Italian boating theory; check your boat’s engine and permitted navigation with its documents and the Coast Guard.