Applying for a licence
- General Guidance
- Payment Methods
- Incentives for Paying Promptly
- Boat Index Number Section
- Applying for a Licence for the First Time
- Applying for a Business Licence for the First Time
- Renewing an Existing Licence
- Application and Renewal Requirements
- Refund Terms for Standard Licences
- Refund Terms for Leisure Business Licences
General Guidance
For a beginner's guide to buying a boat, see www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/buying-a-boat
To apply for a licence for the first time - or for a new or different boat - download a copy of the appropriate application form, complete it and post it with the necessary payment and enclosures to the Boat Licensing Team.
We have a network of local licensing agents who can also assist you with your application and payment arrangements.
A maximum of two individuals' names will be accepted as registered keepers for any single boat. If two names are registered, both are fully responsible for compliance with the Licence Terms and Conditions. Only one address may be registered.
If your boat had or still has a licence, we encourage you to renew it online at www.waterscape.com/renewal. If you have mislaid the renewal form we sent you, please contact us for another copy.
Payment methods
We accept payment by the following:
- Cheque crossed and payable to British Waterways
- Credit cards except AMEX
- Debit card or Switch
- Cash only if you are applying in person
- If the total fee due is more than £100, we also offer a Direct Debit facility for 12 month licences.
Paying by Direct Debit
You may make a single payment, or spread the cost over five or nine instalments. For nine instalments, the first payment will be 20% of the total due and the remainder is spread equally over the next 8 months. For five instalments, the total due is divided equally.
The licence is personal to you and, in making your application, you are committing to pay the total cost of the licence even if you choose to pay by Direct Debit instalments.
Once you have set up a Direct Debit instruction, we will automatically collect payment in respect of the licence renewal providing that we hold valid boat safety certification for you, unless you tell us not to at least 15 working days before the licence expiry date. We will notify you in advance of the payment dates and amounts. We can collect direct debits on the 1st, 8th, 16th and 24th day of each month - you can show your preferred date on the application form. You are responsible for maintaining valid third party insurance cover for your boat and our automatic renewal of the licence is made on this understanding. See R1 Licence Requirements.
You must notify us if you change any of your Bank or Building Society details after setting up a Direct Debit.
We need 15 working days notice if you do NOT want us to collect a payment that you previously authorised. You must also notify your Bank or Building Society.
We can collect payment from only one bank account per customer. If you have any other Direct Debit arrangements with British Waterways, please ensure that they all relate to the same bank account.
There is no instalment option if you renew the licence via the internet.
Missed payments and cancellation of Direct Debit:
If we are unable to collect a payment because of insufficient funds in your account, a further attempt will be made to collect it after 10 working days. If it is not possible to collect the money on this second attempt we will automatically cancel your Direct Debit and all outstanding amounts become due immediately. Similarly, if you cancel your Direct Debit instruction, the outstanding portion of the full licence fee becomes due immediately.
If we do not receive the outstanding amounts due, your licence may be terminated. In this case you must remove your boat from our waters. If you fail to remove your boat from our waterways, we can do so at your expense and take action to recover any debt.
Owing to the cost of dealing with Direct Debit defaults, we reserve the right to charge a handling fee of £30. You may also incur legal costs if we have to instruct solicitors to recover the debt. If you default on your direct debit payments, we may refuse to grant you a Direct Debit facility in the future.
Boat Dimensions
There is a guide to all waterway dimensions on www.waterscape.com/boating, or contact the Customer Service Centre. This information is currently under review, and is therefore for guidance purposes only. Use this to check that your boat is not too big for the waterways you want to cruise.
When measuring the boat to determine your licence fee, you should include fenders and any other items that add to its length.
Incentives for Paying Promptly
The licence fee varies with the length of boat and how promptly you renew the licence when it becomes due. The fees are published on at www.britishwaterways.co.uk/license-it. Printed copies are available from Customer Services on 0845 671 5530
The fee tables for long term licences in England & Wales show two rates:
- the (lower) prompt payment rate applies as long as you pay in full in advance of the licence start or renewal date.
- the normal rate applies in all other cases except where you pay late (see below).
If you allow your licence to lapse for more than one month, you will also have to pay a fixed Late Payment Charge of £150. The licence must be back dated to the expiry of the previous licence, unless you provide evidence that your boat was not on the waterways for the intervening period. The late payment charge is a fair reflection of the additional cost incurred by British Waterways in collecting overdue licence fees.
The qualifying criteria for the prompt payment rate are as follows:
- The payment and correctly completed application (and any enclosures) must have been received by British Waterways or a licensing agent on or before the start date of the licence. In cases of doubt where we have no record of receiving an application, we will accept a formal proof of posting from Royal Mail or other professional dispatch service.
- Payment for the licence must be in advance. The discount does not apply for licences paid for in instalments.
- If the boat is being introduced onto our waterways for the first time, providing that the licence is purchased before the boat enters our waterways.
- We will also allow the prompt payment rate for brand new boats providing the application is received no later than two weeks after the issue date of the safety certification.
- If the boat is returning to our waterways after being kept elsewhere, you may purchase the licence at the prompt payment rate providing you supply evidence that the boat was removed from our waterways upon expiry of any previous licence. The licence must be purchased before the boat is returned to our waterways.
- If the boat has been kept on our waterways without a licence during the twelve months preceding your application, the prompt payment rate will not be granted, regardless of who owned the boat. Furthermore, the late payment charge will apply if we have evidence that the boat has been on our waterway without a licence for more than one month.
- These rules apply regardless of whether or not we have sent you a reminder to renew your licence. It is your responsibility to ensure that your boat is correctly licensed at all times. We do not issue renewal reminders for licences of less than 12 months as these are mostly purchased by people who keep their boats on the waterways for only part of the year.
The Boat Index Number
If you are having a boat built and wish to sign-write your index number on it in advance of it needing a licence, you may apply for an index number only. The cost of this service is £15 including VAT and this cost is non-refundable.
Replacement index plates may be issued if you write to us explaining why you need them. The index number plates must remain on the boat at all times. They should not be removed when you sell the boat. The replacement fee is £15 for either metal or plastic plates.
If you lose the licence
You should apply for a replacement licence disc. The cost for this is £15 including VAT.
Change of details
The licence is specific to the boat and to you so it is important that you notify us if anything changes.
We can take change of home address information by telephone, but if you change the name of the boat, if your home mooring changes, or if you sell or give the boat to someone else you must let us know in writing. You should include details of any changed names, addresses or telephone numbers.
We will record any change to the name of the boat, so that the next licence issued carries the new name. We will not issue new licence discs before the current licence expires unless you specifically request this (a £15 charge applies for the replacement).
If you do not let us know the new owner's or broker's details, the boat will remain registered in your name and you will be responsible for its future licensing.
Applying for a Licence for the First Time
New applications: Application forms for all licence types are available from the following:
- www.waterscape.com/licensing
- British Waterways Customer Service Centre
- local waterway offices and licensing agents
Applying for a Business Licence for the First Time
If you are establishing a new business on our waterways, please discuss your requirements with the local British Waterways Leisure Business Manager – see the BW map to identify the office responsible for the area where you intend to operate.
Once you've completed the application form and assembled the enclosures, please send them with your payment details or cheque to the Boat Licensing Office. They will confirm your application with the local waterway office before sending you your licence.
Renewing an Existing Licence
If you hold a 12 month licence, normally we will write to you shortly before the expiry date with a renewal application form. We can process your renewal more quickly if you use this, and not a new application form. We do not issue renewal reminders for licences of less than 12 months as these are mostly purchased by people who keep their boat on the waterways for only part of the year.
12 month licences for England & Wales can be renewed online at www.waterscape.com/renewal or by telephone (Customer Services on 01923 201120) providing you can pay by credit card and you have already sent us your current, valid Boat Safety Certificate.
Application and Renewal Requirements
Please allow 15 working days for the processing of a licence. Delays will occur and you may lose the prompt payment rate if you do not include:
- correctly completed application form or renewal form marked up with updated information as applicable (including current insurance policy details - note that we no longer require a copy of the certificate (see Licence Requirements R1).
- evidence of boat safety scheme compliance (see Licence Requirements R2).
- home mooring location (see Licence Requirements R3).
- the correct payment
- evidence as specified supporting any discount application
Refund Terms for Standard Licences
Selling the boat or removing it from the waterways: refund terms
We will transfer your licence to the new owner at no extra charge, providing the licence is fully paid and you give us the address of the new owner. Alternatively, you can return both copies of the licence disc to us and request a refund, if applicable (see refund table).
A licence being paid for by Direct Debit instalments is not transferable if you sell your boat. You have two options:
- to pay the remaining outstanding balance so that it becomes a fully paid licence. We will then transfer it to the new owner on your instructions.
- to return the licence to us for a refund, if appropriate.
Generally, the shorter the length of time left before the licence expires, the more advantageous it will be for you and the new owner to take option 1.
See the appropriate refund table for the percentage of the total fee that will be refunded if you sell your boat or remove it from the waterways. There are different terms for the different types of licences. For BW Scotland licences, please contact the local British Waterways office. Gold licences are not refundable.
Refunds are made for whole months only. We will calculate the number of unexpired months from the day we receive the returned licence from you. If you are paying in instalments, we will deduct the difference between the full licence cost and the total amount you have already paid from the refund payment.
Example, a boater with a twelve month licence costing £500 contracted to pay in nine instalments' by Direct Debit. He sells his Boat in the second month after paying just two instalments (one of £100 and one of £50). The amount still due is £350. He applies for a refund and is entitled to 75% x £500 = £375 so a refund is made of £25.
Refund amounts (except leisure business licences)
| Licence to terminate before the end of month number: | Licence period | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 months | 6 months | 3 months | |
| 1 | 80% | 70% | 67% |
| 2 | 75% | 60% | 34% |
| 3 | 65% | 45% | 0% |
| 4 | 57% | 30% | |
| 5 | 48% | 15% | |
| 6 | 40% | 0% | |
| 7 | 20% | ||
| 8 | 10% | ||
| 9-12 | 0% | ||
Refund Terms for Leisure Business Licences
Refund amounts, leisure business licences
| Month when licence started | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | August | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||
| Licence NOW to finish on the last day of: | Jan | 98% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 15% | 35% | 55% | 75% | 88% | 94% | 86% |
| Feb | 96% | 98% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 13% | 33% | 53% | 73% | 86% | 92% | 79% | |
| March | 90% | 96% | 94% | 0% | 0% | 7% | 27% | 48% | 68% | 81% | 87% | 72% | |
| April | 84% | 86% | 88% | 94% | 0% | 0% | 23% | 43% | 63% | 76% | 82% | 84% | |
| May | 71% | 73% | 75% | 81% | 87% | 0% | 23% | 30% | 50% | 63% | 69% | 71% | |
| June | 51% | 53% | 55% | 61% | 67% | 80% | 23% | 30% | 31% | 44% | 50% | 52% | |
| July | 31% | 33% | 35% | 41% | 47% | 60% | 80% | 30% | 31% | 22% | 28% | 6% | |
| Aug | 11% | 13% | 15% | 21% | 27% | 40% | 60% | 80% | 31% | 22% | 4% | 0% | |
| Sept | 0% | 0% | 0% | 8% | 14% | 27% | 47% | 67% | 87% | 22% | 4% | 0% | |
| Oct | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 8% | 21% | 41% | 61% | 81% | 94% | 4% | 0% | |
| Nov | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 6% | 19% | 39% | 59% | 79% | 92% | 98% | 0% | |
| Dec | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 4% | 17% | 37% | 57% | 77% | 90% | 96% | 98% | |
We will transfer a Leisure Business Licence from one boat in a fleet to another if a new boat is purchased. You will need to make the request in writing and pay the additional amount due if the new boat is in a longer length category.