Boat Registration in Canada: Is it Required?

Boat Registration Canada

When you get your first boat, it’s an exciting time! You’re entering a new world of leisure, with endless waterways to explore in Canada. But before you set sail, there’s a journey involved. From researching the right boat type to finding a seller within your budget, it’s a process. When you finally hold the keys, all the effort pays off. Sometimes, there’s a paperwork hurdle like applying for Boat Registration Canada. If you need this, we’re here to help you submit your application online.

Understanding Boat Registration and Licensing in Canada

If hearing the words “boat registration” makes you think a bit about filling out forms for a car, it is understandable. A vessel registration is akin to a motor vehicle registration, but for your boat. You might also require a boating license, similar to a driver’s license for a motorized vessel. This document is also called a pleasure craft operator card (PCOC), and it is obtained by completing an educational course and taking a competency exam administered by Transport Canada. When it comes to your boat registration, you should know that this documentation is available to all boat owners, though it is not required for all of them. Read on to learn more.

What is a Boat Registration Canada?

For most boat owners who own leisure crafts, a simple pleasure craft license (PCL) will suffice. PCLs, to be more specific, are required when you have an engine of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more. When a boat is purchased with a bank loan (also called a marine mortgage), or if a vessel will be traveling on international waters under the Canadian flag, a vessel registration will be required. If you intend to use your boat for commercial purposes, registering it is a requirement.

You can apply for this document by completing Form 1 – Application for Vessel Registration, obtaining a tonnage measurement, and providing Transport Canada with photographs of all four sides of your vessel. You will also need to fill out Form 3 – Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration.

Boat Registration Canada
Explore Our Site Today

To learn more about how our services can help with boat registration in Canada, check out our FAQ section. We suggest exploring our user-friendly menu for insights on the web forms available for easy registration.