Boat License in Caen

Prefecture of department 14, Caen is a medium-sized city with 109,400 inhabitants (INSEE) in the Normandie region. The Boat License here concerns a wide public, from young people in initial training to professionals seeking to secure their work mobility.

Caen is in 14, in a region marked by closeness to the sea, the Seine and Vire estuaries and wide farmland. Connections combine the A13/A28/A29 motorways, the toll-free A84/N174 expressways and a dense, winding departmental network. The Normandy and Tancarville bridges are sensitive to crosswinds, requiring extra care when crossing. In a medium-sized town like Caen, candidates learn to navigate one-way streets, central car parks and town entrances often congested at peak hours. Repeatedly switching between 50 and 30 km/h structures much of the exam.

The average waiting time observed in department 14 for the practical Boat License exam is around 63 days (national average). The Prefecture of Caen coordinates session scheduling via the licence-and-road-safety inspectors.

According to the ONISR, the 1st-presentation pass rate for the B licence in department 14 stands at 55.1%. This rate is lower than the national average of 58.0%, which reflects the demanding exam conditions often observed in dense urban areas. The rate actually observed for the Boat License may vary depending on the training followed and the driving school's own history.

The Boat License in Caen includes a theoretical module (maritime rules, navigation signals, safety) and practical navigation sessions. Practical sessions are organised on the waterways closest to Caen, in collaboration with approved nautical centres. The licence is registered with the Maritime Affairs Prefecture and remains valid for life.