| Skysail Training | ||||||
| CONTACT | RYA
CEVNI TEST ONLINE |
BUY
NAVIGATION SKILLS CHARTS |
BUY CEVNI SIGNALS CHART |
RADAR
COURSE 1:1 ON YOUR DATE |
![]() |
|
Skysail Training - RYA CEVNI Test Centre
![]() |
![]() |
|
|
| CEVNI RED signs are mandatory. You must comply. | CEVNI RED SIGNS with a diagonal red bar are prohibitory. You must comply. | CEVNI
BLUE signs are for information. |
CEVNI
BLUE signs with a diagonal white bar indicate the end of a restriction. |
If you would like to discuss what you need for ICC and CEVNI, just contact me, I will be happy to talk about it.
'This is the best and clearest CEVNI Test website I found....' - recent successful student.
'you
will be pleased to hear that I passed both parts first time - in fact I got 100%
in each,
which is probably due largely to your excellent CEVNI signals card'
CEVNI - Code Européen des Voies de la Navigation Intérieure
You need an RYA CEVNI Test certificate, with an International Certificate of Competence (ICC), for navigation on inland waterways in most of continental Europe. This is the European inland waterways version of Colregs, with many additions to symbols, signals, lights, buoyage, rules and signage. (See down this page). Inland waterways in Europe carry large volumes of commercial traffic, and the navigation rules are more extensive than on the sea.
|
About the CEVNI Test The RYA CEVNI on line test is a short multiple choice exam. Part 1 has 15 questions on buoyage and signs, and Part 2 has 15 questions about lights, shapes and sound signals. You must score 11 correct answers in each section. Each question has a time limit of 20 seconds, long enough if you know the subject. Make sure you do the RYA Practice Tests, they are very good, scores are not recorded and will confirm when you are ready for the CEVNI test. Go to the RYA Interactive Website - CLICK, and select The CEVNI test which opens up the practice and real tests; follow the instructions to create a new account. Select 'Skysail Training' if you are offered a list of centres. Then use the PIN you buy here to register for the CEVNI test itself. You will need to study and learn the CEVNI rules and symbols in preparation, see the books and Skysail CEVNI Signs chart below. You can check your PC is compatible here: RYA CEVNI guide .
On completion you can download a pass certificate from the RYA. To update your ICC, complete this form: RYA_ICC Renewal_Form, send to the RYA, enclose the CEVNI pass certificate and a new passport photo. The update is free. |
Enrol for the Test here RYA Online CEVNI Test £20.00 including VAT and RYA fee. Instant Access.
After
making payment, If you have any questions please Contact
Me |
The CEVNI European Code for Inland Waterways - free download - full English text of the UNECE Regulations, with all the rules signs and signals. Too long and too detailed to read it all, but it is there if you want it.
Reading and Training Materials CEVNI and ICC - Bookstore
The following chart and books are better and clearer for the leisure boater: The Skysail CEVNI signs chart is the only available view of the many signs and signals in the CEVNI regulations in an easy reference format.
![]() |
|||
| Skysail
CEVNI Signs Chart (A4 2 sided laminated) |
The CEVNI Rules Explained - Tam Murrell. |
RYA CEVNI Handbook - Rob Gibson |
RYA
ICC Handbook - Rob Gibson |
A written test here in High Wycombe is £20.00, with discounts for groups - contact as above.
SKYSAIL ON LINE CEVNI FREE PRACTICE EXAM - TEST YOURSELF With notes on the more unusual rules and signs you need to know.
International Certificate of Competence
An ICC is often considered as the international 'boat driving licence'. It is often required by countries/charter operators if you wish to use your own craft abroad.
It is available from the Royal Yachting Association, to UK residents and UK citizens, and nationals from countries outside Europe, including North America. The lower age limit is 16 years. The ICC needs to have a CEVNI endorsement if you wish to take your boat on inland waterways in Europe (not the UK).
ICC Practical Test Requirements ICC Test requirements and fees
ICC Application Form ICC Application Form with necessary qualifications
ICC CEVNI Renewal Form It is a UN requirement that the ICC be renewed every 5 years
Boating Abroad ICC RYA information on ICC & CEVNI:
RYA Book of the International Certificate of Competence (RYA)
- Bill Anderson
If you hold a Day Skipper, Yachtmaster Practical certificate, IWHC, or other qualification, you can convert this to an ICC via the RYA.
There are the following classes of ICC:
CEVNI DEFINITIONS
Small craft - under 20m in length, except ferries, vessels licensed to carry more than 12 passengers, and tugs. In France the limit is 20 tons displacement.
Normal craft - over 20m in length
Small craft usually give way to normal craft
Right bank - on the right when proceeding downstream
Left bank - on the left when proceeding downstream
Upstream vessel - is proceeding up the river to its source, or ascending in a lock.
Downstream vessel - is proceeding away from the source of a river, or descending in a lock. (Take care with these, it’s the direction of travel, not the relative position).
Class 1 waterway - Rivers
Class 2 waterway - Canals, wide rivers, lakes
Rules when vessels meet:
‘Give way’ and ‘stand on’ - are defined as in in IRPCS.
Normal vessels travelling downstream have priority over vessels travelling upstream, but the vessels travelling upstream may choose which side to give way on.
If an upstream vessel decides to leave a course to starboard, it displays a blue board by day, with a scintillating - 60 flashes per second - blue light by night, on its starboard side.
Downstream vessels acknowledge by displaying a similar board on their starboard side.
Hydrofoils and hovercraft give way to other vessels.
CEVNI rules when boats cross are similar to IRPCS. However, a vessel on the starboard side of a marked channel shall maintain its course.
The standard lights for motor vessels and sailing craft are similar to IRPCS, also Restricted in Ability to Manoeuvre, Not Under Command, Fishing, Diving.
![]() |
![]() |
|
|
| CEVNI RED signs are mandatory. You must comply. | CEVNI RED SIGNS with a diagonal red bar are prohibitory. You must comply. | CEVNI
BLUE signs are for information. |
CEVNI
BLUE signs with a diagonal white bar indicate the end of a restriction. |

INFORMATION SIGNS

Vessels with vertical blue lights or inverted cones are carrying cargoes of materials of varying levels of hazard:

(1 cone - flammable, 2 cones - hazardous, 3 cones - explosive)
In addition, there are many signs and lights describing hazards, mooring restrictions, facilities, safe areas, safe transits, bridges, prohibitions etc - on my CEVNI signals chart and in the books.
Lots of excellent practical information on France - waterways details, locks, food, wine, rules, safe navigation http://www.french-waterways.com/ l
RYA CEVNI Test online ICC certificate exam test inland waterways, cevni signs sounds signals, cevni regulations, cevni buoyage, cevni markings, High Wycombe
29th September 2011