An inflatable kayak license is commonly up for discussion. Perhaps it is because many people don’t see them as a traditional kayak. Nevertheless, an inflatable kayak still falls under the same laws.
Do I Need a License for an Inflatable Kayak?
- Yes, a license is required to paddle an inflatable kayak on the waterways.
If you are still trying to decide which inflatable kayak is the best for you, be sure to check out our exclusive guide here.
If you already have your kayak picked out and you are interested in canoeing or kayaking in the canals and rivers, you will need a license.
But there are exceptions for the members of Canoe Wales and British Canoeing. The members can use the waterways for free to kayak over 4,500 km through rivers and canals.
Types of licenses
There are two types of kayak or canoe licenses:
- the long term, or annual license
- the short term kayak license sometimes called limited use.
The long term kayak license is valid for one year, and the cost for a portable unpowered kayak depends on your local laws. Here in southern Idaho, all you need is an Endangered Species tag for $7.
The short term license is only for the visitors, and the validity of the short term license ranges depending on the needs.
For exploring 30 days in the rivers and canals, the unpowered kayak will cost you £37.44 in the UK. For one month you need to pay £28.08 and £18.72 for a week. And for exploring only in the rivers, you need to pay £16.85 for a month and £11.23 for a week. The license for exploring 30 days allows 30 days of a separate ticket within 12 months.
In America, there is typically only one license needed.
Membership in British Canoeing
The process to get a license is very simple; you just need to sign up on the boat licensing online and pay the required fees according to the needs of the kayak.
As a member of British Canoeing, you’ll get a membership card. It can also be used as a waterway license. Carry the membership card with you all the time as an authorized navigation official may ask you to show.
The club affiliated with British canoeing requires a license for the club boat. The British Canoe affiliated clubs provide an additional permit with a considerable rate saving to purchase a license directly from navigation authorities.
Waterways included in the British canoeing license with navigation authorities are:
Canal and River Trust
- Leeds & Liverpool canal to intersect with Selby canal
- Knottingley & Goole Canal
- Aire& Calder Navigation
- Birmingham & Fazeley Canal
Broads Authority Waterways
- River Ant
- Norfolk and Suffolk Broads
- Haddiscoe Cut
Environment Agency
- Burwell Lode
- River Ancholme (Humber to Bishopbridge includes Brigg Loop)
- Forty Foot River
The Royal Military Canal, between west Hythe dam and Seabrook outfall, is maintained by the Hythe District Council and Folkestone.
If you are using this section, it requires both public liability insurance and a permit.
Having a British canoeing membership covers Public liability, but it is necessary to apply for a different license from a council.
There are various non-tidal rivers where the rights to navigation are recognized, and boats are not compulsory to be licensed.
Some examples are the River Luggfrom Leominster, River Wye, which is below Hay-on-Wye, River Severn, which is between the Pool Quay close to Stourport and Welshpool, and River Rother.
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