BLQ – Getting Your Boat and Jet Ski Licence: Every Step, Start to Finish

Getting your Queensland Boat Licence (RMDL) and Jet Ski Licence (PWCL) with BLQ is a clear, structured process designed to prepare you properly, avoid last-minute stress, and ensure you leave confident and competent on the water.

This guide walks you through every step BLQ uses, from booking your practical online, completing your online theory, attending your practical training day, and finally receiving your Statement of Competency (SOC) to take into Queensland Transport.

Before attending, we also recommend watching the “What to Expect on Your Practical Day” videos available on the BLQ website, as they visually show how the day flows, the boats and jet skis used, and the practical tasks you’ll complete. https://boatlicencequeensland.com.au/what-is-required-to-be-completed-for-the-practical-part-of-a-queensland-rmdl-and-pwcl-boatsafe-course/

Step 1 — Book your practical course online with BLQ

https://boatlicencequeensland.com.au/bookings-and-prices/

Your BLQ journey starts by booking a practical course date through the BLQ website.

During booking you will:

Choose your location (Gold Coast or Brisbane)
Select your course type:
- Boat Licence (RMDL) only
- PWC Licence (PWCL) only – Must hold a valid Australian RMDL Boat Licence.
- COMBO – Boat Licence (RMDL) + Jet Ski Licence (PWCL) combined
Select your preferred practical date

Once booked, your place is secured and BLQ prepares you for the next stages of the course.

Step 2 — Receive your confirmation email (important information)

After booking, BLQ sends a confirmation email. This email is essential and should be read carefully. If you do not receive your email, check spam or junk folder. Reach out by email or text to BLQ, if not received.

Confirmation email contains:

Your practical course date and start time
Your training location
Parking and arrival instructions
Your online theory access link and Completion Certificate CODE.
The URL for the Boating Theory website – https://www.boatingtheory.com/
Trainer contact details for the practical day

Tip: Keep this email handy or saved on your phone — you’ll refer back to it more than once.

Step 3 — Complete the online theory at Home (Before your practical)

BLQ courses are delivered as a blended program, meaning, half online theory, half on water practical day:

Part 1: Online theory completed at home
Part 2: One practical training and assessment day

How long does the online theory take?

Most students should allow approximately 5 to 7 hours in total to complete the online theory. You can complete this over multiple sessions and at your own pace. You must start at Module 0 – Watch the How to complete video!! Tech support not available unless Module O video and content watched and read.

Do not leave it to the last minute

BLQ strongly recommends completing all online theory at least 24 to 48 hours before your practical date.

This gives time to:

Resolve any login, browser, or device issues
Revisit topics you find challenging
Avoid unnecessary stress before your practical day

Important: theory must be completed before attending

If the online theory is not completed in full before you arrive:

Your practical session will be cancelled
Fees will apply

Completing the theory beforehand is mandatory and ensures the practical day runs smoothly for everyone. You will need a modern PC or Tablet and a good high speed internet connection. Smart phones can be used , however they are not ideal, and sometimes lose signal or have issues due to small screen size.

Step 4 — Understand booking changes and variations (72-hour rule)

BLQ understands that circumstances can change, however booking changes are subject to timeframes.

Changes outside 72 hours of your practical date:
- One date change is generally permitted at no cost
Changes inside 72 hours:
- Fees will apply

Full details are published here:
https://boatlicencequeensland.com.au/variations/

Make sure you review the terms and conditions before requesting any changes.

Step 5 — Arrive at the location (start times & flexibility)

Standard start times

VIP One on One (No group) 6.00am – Approx 3.5 to 4 hours completed
Gold Coast (max group of 4) : 7:00am – Completes early to mid afternoon
Brisbane (max group of 4) : 6:00am – Completes early to mid afternoon

Full parking and location details are included in your confirmation email and are also available in the BLQ website FAQs.

Please see list of things to bring to practical date. ONLINE THEORY CERTIFICATION and ID Vital.

Possible adjusted start times

In some cases, BLQ may contact you before your course to agree on a slightly adjusted start time. This can happen due to:

Weather conditions
Tidal considerations
Class flow and group sequencing

These adjustments are made to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure the practical day runs efficiently.

If you are running late

If you believe you may be late on the morning of your course, call your trainer immediately using the contact details in your confirmation email.

Normally, arriving more than 15 minutes late may prevent you from starting that day. However, calling ahead allows the trainer to assess whether late entry can still be accommodated, depending on where the group is up to.

If you do not attend or cannot be accommodated, fees may apply.

Step 6 — Classroom session: theory assessment (CAT test)

Once signed in at the training location, you will complete the theory assessment in the training room.

Please see list of things to bring to practical date. ONLINE THEORY CERTIFICATION and ID Vital.

The assessment is a 60-question multiple-choice CAT test
You are given two attempts
A 100% pass mark is required

If you do not achieve 100% on your first attempt, your trainer will provide additional coaching and clarification, and you will attempt the test again.

The goal is understanding — not rushing.

Step 7 — On-water practical training: Boat Licence (RMDL)

After completing the theory test, you’ll head onto the water for the RMDL practical component.

Group size and timing

Conducted in small groups (maximum 3 other students)
Expect approximately 4 hours on the water for RMDL

RMDL practical tasks you will complete

During the session, your trainer will guide and assess you through all required boat handling skills, including:

Low-speed control
- Engaging forward and reverse gears
- Maintaining a straight course
- Controlled turns to port and starboard
- Approaching a floating object safely
- Approaching a mooring buoy correctly
- Figure-8 manoeuvre at low speed
Higher-speed operation
- Smooth acceleration onto the plane
- Coming off the plane safely
- Maintaining a steady course at speed
- Emergency stop from on-plane
- Man overboard drill
- Figure-8 manoeuvre at speed
Berthing and close-quarters handling
- Approaching and departing a berth
- Managing wind and tide effects
General awareness and decision-making
- Judging distances
- Maintaining lookout and situational awareness
- Operating safely around other water users

The BLQ “What to Expect” videos on the website clearly demonstrate these tasks and are highly recommended viewing before your course. https://boatlicencequeensland.com.au/what-is-required-to-be-completed-for-the-practical-part-of-a-queensland-rmdl-and-pwcl-boatsafe-course/

Step 8 — Jet Ski practical (PWCL) if booked

If you are completing PWCL (Jet Ski Licence) as well, this component is conducted separately from the boat training.

Completed one-on-one with an instructor
Duration is typically 45 minutes to 1 hour

PWCL tasks include:

Slow-speed manoeuvring
Operating at low speed with wash awareness
Straight-line control and turns
Approaching a floating object
Man overboard drill
Figure-8 manoeuvres at speed
Collision avoidance techniques
Coming alongside and departing a jetty or pontoon

Step 9 — Total time on the day (why it cannot be rushed)

Most students should plan to be with BLQ for 6 to 8 hours on their practical day.

BoatSafe rules require minimum on-water training and assessment times for both RMDL and PWCL.
Because of this, it is not possible to rush the practical, even if a student has previous boating or jet ski experience.

Every student must complete:

The full theory assessment
All required on-water tasks
Instructor observation and competency confirmation

This ensures every licence holder meets the same safety and competency standard.

Step 10 — Issuing your Statement of Competency (SOC)

If you successfully complete all required components, BLQ will issue:

A Statement of Competency (SOC) for RMDL, and
A Statement of Competency (SOC) for PWCL (if completed)

This confirms you have met all training and assessment requirements.

Step 11 — Take your SOC to Queensland Transport (within 6 months)

Your SOC is not your licence. It must be taken to a Queensland Transport customer service centre to have the licence added to your record.

SOCs must be lodged within 6 months of issue
Bring valid identification when attending

Final tips for a smooth BLQ experience

Book early and read your confirmation email carefully
Complete online theory well before your practical day
Watch the BLQ “What to Expect” videos on the website
Arrive on time and prepared, bring online theory cert and ID
Call your trainer immediately if delayed
Plan for a full day on the water

Following these steps ensures your BLQ Boat and Jet Ski licence experience is smooth, professional, and stress-free — and that you leave ready to enjoy Queensland waterways safely and confidently.

https://boatlicencequeensland.com.au/

info@boatlicencequeensland.com.au

+61 414747873

Get your boat and jet ski licence in one day!