There is a fine of $250 if you are found to be operating a vessel without a valid licence. However, if you decided to register your vessel instead of licensing it, there is no fine.
Vessel Registration FAQs
WHAT VESSELS ARE EXEMPT?WHY AND HOW IS BUILD EVIDENCE ESTABLISHED?WHAT ARE THE REGISTRY OWNERSHIP DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS?DO I NEED A PLEASURE CRAFT LICENCE?RENEW YOUR CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRY EVERY FIVE YEARS THROUGH OUR SITEWHAT ARE THE MARKING REQUIREMENTS?WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE?WHAT IS VESSEL DOCUMENTATIONHOW CAN I SEND MY CREDIT CARD PAYMENT?HOW DO I KNOW IF MY VESSEL MEASURES FIVE NET TONS?HOW DO I REPORT A CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP?WHAT IS FIRST TIME REGISTRY?CAN MY VESSEL BE REGISTERED AND LICENCED?HOW DO I RENEW MY CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRY?WHAT VESSELS MAY BE DOCUMENTED?HOW DO I ESTABLISH CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP?WHAT VESSELS CAN BE DOCUMENTED?HOW LONG IS THE CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION VALID?WHERE DO I DISPLAY MY PLEASURE CRAFT LICENCE?WHAT IS A JOINT OWNER?