Applying for a Canadian Pleasure Craft License Online

Canadian Pleasure Craft License

If you are looking for new ways to soak up the warm weather and sunshine afforded by the Canadian summer months, owning a boat may be just a hobby for you. Whether you enjoy fishing, water sports, or simply cruising out on the water, with your own boat, the leisure possibilities are virtually endless. Understandably, though, the decision to purchase a boat is a big one. If you have done some basic research, you know that boats can be particularly expensive–especially with brand-new models. You will also have to contend with launch and docking fees, and inevitable maintenance costs. For many, though, the rewards are more than worth it. If you have found the perfect boat for you and your family, and you have finalized the transaction, you are nearly ready to hit the water. There may, however, be some paperwork to attend to first in the form of a Canadian Pleasure Craft License (PCL). Fortunately, by working with a private service such as ours, you can get yours online.

When you go to document a boat, you will need to work with a government agency called Transport Canada. Headquartered in Ottawa and staffed by thousands of employees, this agency is responsible for managing infrastructure concerns for both land and sea across the country. During your years as a boat owner, you may need to obtain licenses and registrations, submit renewal requests, and navigate other paperwork matters. While you do have the option to fill out all these forms the old-fashioned way, there is an easier path. At the National Vessel Registry Center, we have fillable web forms for all of your Transport Canada documentation needs. Read on to learn more.

What is a Canadian Pleasure Craft License?

You can think of a PCL as a similar document to a motor vehicle registration. Since boats can be large and powerful vehicles, it makes sense that they would require some form of documentation. To be a bit more exact, a PCL is mandatory for all leisure crafts with engines of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more. Of course, all boats can apply for and obtain PCLs as well. With a PCL, you will be assigned a registration number which must be displayed in characters of at least three inches in height on both sides of your boat’s bow.

To get your PCL online, simply visit the licensing section of our website. There, you will find a web application that will ask you for some basic details about yourself and your boat. You will also need to upload a photograph of your vessel and provide proof of ownership, which is typically done with a bill of sale.

Canadian Pleasure Craft License

Get the Forms You Need Online

Save yourself time and energy by completing your Transport Canada forms online. We have web documents for PCLs, vessel registrations, and much more. To get a better sense of the services we provide, spend a few minutes exploring our website.