Swedish jet ski riders face compulsory licence training
A rise in noise complaints and crashes prompts Sweden to map out tough new licences for personal watercraftJet ski riders in Sweden face having to pay for two days of intensive training before gaining their personal watercraft licence under strict new laws proposed by its government.
Under current laws, anyone aged over 15 can ride a jet ski.
The planned change comes as the number of jet ski-related crashes and noise complaints in the Scandanavian state – riders currently don’t even need a licence to drive one – increases.
“The use of personal watercraft has increased in recent years and above all recreational driving. This has led to an increase in the number of personal watercraft-related accidents,” the Swedish Transport Agency, which manages water safety, said.
“Recreational driving also takes place close to land, ports and swimming places, which in addition to the risk of accidents also gives rise to disturbances for both people and the environment.
“In July this year, the Swedish Transport Agency was commissioned by the government to submit proposals for training and a compulsory driving license for driving jet skis.
“In the final report that has now been submitted, the authority submits proposals on how training and driving licenses should be designed.”
Under the proposal, riders would need to carry and show a digital version of their licences to authorities when requested, with the threat of people losing their licences “in the event of repeated violations”.
The proposed new training and licence requirements are yet to go before the Swedish government.
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