NSW PWC Licence Knowledge Test cheat sheet

In NSW a recreational PWC must be registered; registration numbers and a registration label/sticker must be displayed as required, and registration must be renewed before expiry.

The minimum age to obtain a NSW PWC licence is 16; riders under 16 may not hold a PWC licence.

A PWC licence is a separate endorsement: a general boat licence alone does not authorise riding a PWC in NSW.

A PWC licence requires passing a knowledge test and a practical (on-water) assessment; the licence must be carried or produced when required.

A person supervising an unlicensed PWC rider must hold a current PWC licence and be at least 18 years old.

Riders must not ride while their licence is suspended or cancelled; doing so is an offence separate from unlicensed riding.

Registration and licence documents must be produced on request to an authorised officer; failure to produce is an offence.

A PWC used for commercial purposes (hire, tours, instruction) carries additional registration and licensing conditions beyond recreational use.

Each person on board must wear a serviceable lifejacket of the correct size; a PWC rider's lifejacket must be worn, not merely carried.

Required equipment typically includes a lifejacket per person, a bucket or bailer, and a sound-signalling device; check current NSW requirements before riding.

Pre-ride check: engine cut-off (lanyard) attached to the rider, steering free, throttle returns freely, hull plugs in, battery secure.

Check fuel level and fuel/water separator before launch; running out of fuel offshore is a common cause of PWC rescues.

Inspect the jet intake and impeller for debris, rope or weed before starting; blockage causes loss of thrust and overheating.

Check weather and marine warnings before departure and confirm the trip plan with someone ashore.

Carry a means of communication (marine radio or charged phone in waterproof case) and know how to call for help.

Test the engine cut-off switch and horn/whistle before leaving the ramp; faulty cut-off is a serious safety defect.

Keep a proper lookout at all times; a PWC must be able to stop or alter course to avoid collision.

Power-driven vessels give way to sailboats under sail, and to vessels not under command or restricted in ability to manoeuvre.

When two power-driven vessels meet head-on, both alter course to starboard and pass port-to-port.

In a crossing situation, the vessel with the other on its starboard side gives way; the stand-on vessel maintains course and speed.

A vessel overtaking another must keep clear of the vessel being overtaken, regardless of vessel type.

In a narrow channel, keep to the starboard side of the channel and avoid crossing it unnecessarily.

Avoid jumping wakes or riding close behind other vessels; a PWC must not create a wake that endangers or annoys others.

In fog or poor visibility, reduce speed to a safe stopping distance and use sound signals; do not rely on speed to avoid collision.

The default speed limit on NSW waters is 10 knots unless signposted otherwise.

Within 30 metres of a moored or anchored vessel, a wharf, jetty, shore or swimmer, keep speed to 4 knots or less and minimise wash.

No-wash zones require the vessel to proceed at a speed that creates no wash, typically around 4 knots or less.

Speed restrictions apply near swimmers, divers' flags, boat ramps, marinas and residential canals; observe signage and local rules.

A PWC must not exceed the posted speed limit in a designated area, even if the craft is capable of higher speed.

Personal watercraft are prohibited from operating within 200 metres of a surf beach or between the flags at a patrolled beach.

Keep clear of dive flags: do not approach within 60 metres of a displayed divers' flag.

Slow to a safe speed when passing fishing lines, kayaks, rowers or small craft, regardless of the posted limit.

IALA Region A applies in Australia: red (port-hand) marks are passed on the vessel's port side when heading upstream or into harbour.

Green (starboard-hand) marks are passed on the vessel's starboard side when heading upstream or into harbour.

Lateral marks indicate the sides of a navigable channel; safe water marks indicate navigable water all around.

Cardinal marks (north, south, east, west) indicate the safe side of a hazard and are identified by their topmarks and light patterns.

Special marks (yellow) indicate a special area such as a swimming zone, pipeline or speed restriction; they are not navigation channels.

Isolated danger marks sit on or near a hazard with safe water around the mark; do not pass between the mark and the hazard.

Speed restriction and warning signs at boat ramps and on the water are regulatory; breaching them is an offence.

Buoys and marks must not be used as moorings or slalom markers; keep clear and do not tie off to them.

The prescribed concentration of alcohol for a PWC operator is the same as for a car driver: 0.05 g/100 mL blood for a full licence holder.

A novice or restricted licence holder must have a zero blood alcohol concentration.

Random breath testing applies on the water; police may require a breath or blood test from a PWC operator.

It is an offence to operate a PWC while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medication that impairs driving.

Illegal drugs and impairment by any drug are offences; refusing a test carries penalties similar to drink-driving offences.

Fatigue impairs reaction time, judgement and balance; do not ride when tired, after long shifts or after a long day on the water.

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can impair riding; check labels and ask a pharmacist before operating.

Riders must be physically fit enough to control the craft; injury, illness or extreme cold reduces safe control.

In an emergency, use marine radio VHF channel 16 or call 000 (Triple Zero) for police, ambulance or marine rescue.

A marine incident involving death, injury, collision or serious damage must be reported to police or marine authorities as soon as practicable.

If a person falls overboard, stop the engine, keep them in sight and approach from downwind or downcurrent to avoid running over them.

If the engine fails, deploy an anchor or sea anchor, keep the PWC pointed into the swell and signal for help.

If a PWC capsizes, stay with the craft if it is safe; a PWC is a large, visible object that aids rescue.

Do not attempt a rescue that endangers your own vessel; call for help and stand by if it is safe to do so.

Give way to and assist vessels in distress where possible; the master must render assistance unless it endangers their own vessel or crew.

Carry a first aid kit and know how to treat hypothermia, cuts and suspected spinal injury from a fall.

Do not ride over or disturb seagrass, mangroves, coral, oyster leases or nesting birds; these are protected habitats.

Keep wash to a minimum near shorelines, and avoid creating wakes that erode banks or disturb wildlife.

Never feed or approach marine mammals, turtles or birds; keep the required distance and do not chase them.

Do not litter; carry rubbish back to shore and use pump-out or waste facilities at marinas.

Avoid refuelling spills; use absorbent pads and report oil or fuel spills to authorities.

Respect other water users: slow down near swimmers, kayaks, anglers and moored boats, and keep noise down in residential areas.

Launch and retrieve at designated ramps and keep them clear for other users; do not ride in swimming or sanctuary zones.

Report environmental damage or pollution to the relevant authority and follow local marine park rules.

A PWC steers only when thrust is applied; releasing the throttle reduces steering control, so power on to steer.

The engine cut-off lanyard must be attached to the rider so the engine stops if the rider falls off.

Do not ride a PWC at high speed in shallow water or near swimmers; the craft has no external propeller but the jet thrust is dangerous.

Towing a skier or wakeboarder requires a spotter (observer) aged 16 or over in addition to the driver, and a rear-vision mirror is not a substitute.

A PWC towing a person must display the required signals and keep clear of other vessels; towing is not permitted in no-wash or swimming zones.

Prohibited behaviours include riding between the flags, jumping wakes near other vessels, riding too close to shore and reckless or dangerous operation.

Do not ride a PWC while it is overloaded; observe the manufacturer's maximum persons and weight limits.

Riders must not ride on the wrong side of a channel marker or enter closed waters; penalties apply for prohibited areas.

A PWC must not be operated at a speed that creates a wake within 30 metres of a moored vessel, wharf, jetty or the shoreline.

A person must not ride a PWC at night unless the craft is equipped with the required navigation lights and the rider holds the appropriate qualifications.

Riders must keep to the right when meeting oncoming traffic and must not cut across the bow of another vessel.

A PWC must give way to sailboats, rowing craft and vessels constrained by their draft or work.

Operators must not tow more than the number of persons the craft is rated for, and must use a tow rope that floats.

A PWC must not be operated in a manner that creates a nuisance, such as repeated circling or wake jumping near other users.

Operators must comply with directions given by police, marine rescue and authorised officers on the water.

Riders must not operate a PWC while it is being refuelled; stop the engine and extinguish ignition sources.

A PWC turns by directing jet thrust; to turn, apply throttle. Idle or off-throttle means little or no steering.

The lanyard cut-off switch stops the engine if the rider falls; always attach it to the rider's lifejacket or wrist.

When towing, a spotter must watch the towed person; the driver must not watch behind while under way.

Towing is prohibited in no-wash zones, swimming areas and within 30 metres of shore or moored vessels.

Do not jump the wake of another vessel at close range; this is dangerous and may be reckless operation.

Do not ride between the red and yellow flags at a patrolled beach; PWC operation is prohibited within 200 metres of a surf beach.

Overloading, riding with more persons than the craft is rated for, and riding on the bow or gunwales are prohibited.

Reckless or dangerous operation, including high-speed riding near swimmers, attracts significant penalties.

Carry your PWC licence and vessel registration when riding; produce them on request to police or an authorised officer.

The registration number must be displayed on both sides of the hull in the required size and colour contrast.

Notify the authority of a change of ownership, address or vessel details within the required period.

A PWC used on navigable waters must be registered even if it is only used occasionally.

Learner riders must be supervised by a licensed person aged 18 or over until they obtain a PWC licence.

Riding an unregistered PWC or without a licence may void insurance and attract fines.

Keep the craft in a seaworthy condition; registration does not imply the vessel is safe to operate.

Check that the PWC meets the manufacturer's safety recall and maintenance schedule before use.