Hire and Drive

Hire and Drive vessels are commercial vessels that are hired for recreational use. These vessels must have a survey certificate or operate under a hire and drive licence.

The following hire and drive vessels require a survey certificate:

• all powered hire and drive vessels 7.5m or more in length
• all powered hire and drive vessels operating in restricted-offshore waters

These vessels must comply with the design and construction requirements of the National Standard for Commercial Vessels Part F Section 2 Leisure Craft.  

All powered hire and drive vessels operating in restricted-offshore waters must carry the safety equipment specified for Class 2 vessels in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels Part C Section 7A Safety Equipment.  All other hire and drive vessels must carry the safety equipment required for recreational vessels of the same type.

Powered hire and drive vessels that are less than 7.5m in length and operating in sheltered waters and hire and drive vessels without mechanical propulsion that are less than 10m in length may be operated under a hire and drive licence.

Hire and Drive Licences

Hire and drive licences issued by NSW Maritime to operators of small powered and human powered vessels require that vessels must comply with the design and construction requirements of the National Standard for Commercial Vessels Part F Section 2 Leisure Craft and must carry the safety equipment required for recreational vessels of the same type.

To apply for a hire and drive licence:

• Complete an Application for a Hire and Drive Licence form;
• Provide proof of your identity (the applicant must be a person or corporate body);
• Provide a detailed description of the area in which the hire and drive operation will be conducted, including a map;
• Provide details of the vessels to be used, including a Vessel Information sheet for each vessel type;
• Provide a safety management plan; and
• Pay the hire and drive licence fee and fee for each vessel.

Responsibilities of hire and drive licence holders

You must not hire out a vessel unless the hirer is competent to take charge of the vessel.

You must provide the hirer with clear instructions on:

• The correct and safe handling and navigation of the vessel, including an explanation of basic right of way rules, stopping, turning, mooring , anchoring and avoiding propeller strike;
• The maximum number of people permitted onboard while the vessel is underway;
• Starting the motor, steering and bilge pumping;
• The correct and safe operation of any onboard equipment;
• The location and use of safety equipment including requirements for wearing life jackets;
• How to summon assistance;
• The area in which the vessel can be used; and
• Any local hazards.

You must keep a register of all hirings for 12 months.

You must notify NSW Maritime within 14 days of any changes in the details recorded on your hire and drive licence including change of name or address, any change in vessel details or area of operation, any vessels sold or new vessels acquired.

• Advice to licence applicants
• Application for a Hire and Drive Licence
• Hire and Drive Information Packages
• Hire and Drive Operators in NSW
• Hire and Drive Auditors List
• Hire and Drive Fees
• Register of Hirers
• Vessel Information Sheet (to accompany Application for a Hire and Drive Licence form)