Learn to drive a powerboat with confidence. The RYA Powerboat Level 2 course is the UK’s most recognised powerboat qualification and is often described as the “driving licence for the water.”

Delivered from our Newark training centre, this is not lake-based training — you will gain real-world experience on the river Trent with its current and sand banks, preparing you properly for boating in the UK and beyond.

What is RYA Powerboat Level 2?

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 (PB2) is a 2-day practical course designed for beginners and those with limited experience.

You will learn how to safely handle a powerboat in a wide range of conditions, including close quarters manoeuvring, high-speed handling, and man overboard recovery.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Drive a powerboat confidently in daylight conditions
• Understand the basic rules of the road when on the water
• Manoeuvre in close quarters and drive at planing speed
• Plan and execute short coastal passages

What You Will Learn

This is a hands-on, mostly practical course focuses on real boating skills:

• Confident boat handling at low and high speeds
• How to safely use and wear a kill cord
• Close quarters manoeuvring in marinas and alongside pontoons
• Man overboard recovery techniques
• Anchoring and coming alongside safely
• Launching and recovering boats from slipways
• Basic navigation and collision regulations
• Understanding tides, wind, and local conditions

Why Train with Nautical Training?

Many Powerboat Level 2 courses in the Uk and overseas are delivered on lakes. At Nautical Training, you train in an environment with current and similar challenges to training at sea, giving you a significant advantage.

Course Details

• Duration: 2 days
• Times: 0900 – 1630 each day
• Location: Farndon Marina, Newark
• Maximum ratio: 3:1

Pre-Requisites

There are no formal pre-requisites for the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course.

However, you should:

• Be in reasonable physical health and able to move safely around a small boat
• Have a basic level of confidence on or near the water
• Be aged 12 or over (under 16s are advised not to drive a powerboat unaccompanied by an adult). We run separate Junior Powerboat Courses.

No previous boating experience is required — this course is designed for complete beginners.

What is Included

Your RYA PB2 course fee includes everything you need to successfully complete the training:

• Use of a training powerboat and all required fuel
• 2 days of practical instruction on the water
• RYA qualified and experienced instructors
• RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate (on successful completion)
• RYA Start Powerboating Handbook
• On site parking
• All safety equipment, including loan of a lifejacket

There are no hidden costs — everything required to complete the course is included in the price.

What is Not Included

To keep the course flexible and accessible, the following are not included:

• Lunch (Can be bought locally, but we recommend you bring a packed lunch)
• Accommodation

What Qualification Will I Get?

On successful completion, you will receive the RYA Powerboat Level 2 Certificate.

This certificate:

• Allows you to apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
• Enables you to hire powerboats abroad
• Is recognised worldwide
• Is popular with insurers
• Is required by lots of UK employers
• Is the most widely acted global powerboat certificate

Who is This Course For?

This course is ideal for:

• Complete beginners looking to get into boating
• Yacht crew needing tender driving skills
• Superyacht deckhands building qualifications
• RYA instructor pathway candidates
• Club members and safety boat volunteers
• Anyone looking to confidently drive a powerboat
• Water-skiiers, Wake-boarders, Divers & Anglers
• Lifeboat crew
• Powerboat owners
• Harbour masters, police

What Happens Next?

After completing Powerboat Level 2, many students go on to:

• RYA Safety Boat Course
• RYA Powerboat Intermediate Course
• RYA Powerboat Tender Operator Course
• RYA Day Skipper Shorebased and Day Skipper Power
• RYA Instructor Courses

Nautical Training offers a full pathway from beginner to professional level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any experience?
No — this course is suitable for complete beginners.

Is there an exam?
No formal exam. Your instructor will assess you throughout the course.

Can I use this qualification abroad?
Yes — you can apply for an ICC, which is widely accepted internationally.

What should I wear?
Clothing suitable for the weather, including waterproofs and non-slip footwear.

What is the minimum age?
12 years old (under 16s receive an endorsed certificate).

How long is the RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate valid for?
It does not expires. If you choose to commercially endorse the PB2, then your Commercial Endorsement will expire after 5 years.

What is the commercial endorsemnet?
If you want to use this certifucate commercially you will requitre  Commercial Endorsement, this can be gained by adding;

• RYA Sea Survival
• RYA First Aid
• RYA Short Range Certificate
• RYA PPR- Professional Practices and Responsibilities
• Medical from your Doctor

Own Boat Tuition

We can run this course on board your own boat.  We can train 1-3 of you at a time and bespoke the course around your boat and your likely usage.

Level 2 Direct Assessment

If you have existing experience of power-boating and require a Level 2 Certificate then there is the option to attend a bespoke direct assessment. This option will save you time versus attending a two day course but is reserved for those with existing experience.

Half day RYA Powerboat Level 2 Direct Assessment

The Instructor will expect you to perform the following manoeuvres

• Holding Off, Anchoring & Picking Up a Mooring
• Departing from and returning to an alongside berth in various states of wind and/or tide
• Turn using warps &  Turning in a confined space
• MOB
• Planing speed handling

You will also need to answer oral questions on the following subjects

• IRPCS, Bouage
• Safety equipment
• Tides & Sources of weather info
• Basic chartwork / passage planing

One Day RYA Powerboat Level 2 (PB2) Direct Assessment

If you have experience of powerboat driving but some of the above skills are a rusty  then we can offer you a bespoke one-day 1:1 option (for experienced power-boaters only). We conduct your 1:1 direct assessment in the afternoon, but before that, our Instructor spends the morning with you coaching those skills/knowledge which are a little rusty. There is not time to coach these skills from scratch.

Direct assessments are bespoke, please contact us to arrange.

Book Your Powerboat Level 2 Course

Courses run regularly throughout the year from our Newark base.

Book online now
Check available dates below
Contact us to discuss your training pathway

If the dates below do not suit we can set up 1:1, 2:1 and group courses on demand