If you are new to boat ownership, or you are thinking about buying your first vessel, there are not many better places to be than Ontario, Canada. In fact, this province is something of a boater’s paradise, as it is home to a staggering 250,000 lakes for you to explore. To put that in perspective, that’s about one-fifth of the entire world’s supply of fresh water. Whether you are interested in cruising on Lake Ontario, or one of the thousands of other lakes, you will not run out of places to launch your boat in Ontario. Of course, before you hitch up your boat and head to the nearest dock, there are a few practical matters that you will want to address. For starters, is your boat in good working order? This is probably a good time to check on routine maintenance and fuel levels. Additionally, you should probably give your boat a good cleaning and load up your cooler with snacks and beverages. Lastly, is your license or registration current? If you have questions about documentation, such as how to get a boating license in Ontario, now is the time to get them answered–and we can help.
Paperwork and documentation is just a reality when it comes to boat ownership. While boating can be a great leisure pastime, it does come with a certain amount of necessary responsibility. With this in mind, you will need to complete forms and documents with Transport Canada here and there. Headquartered in Ottawa, Transport Canada crafts rules and regulations aimed to protect the safety of those on our waters. As a competent boat owner, you will need to apply for and renew licenses for your boat (and yourself) from time to time. Read on to learn more about this process, as well as how you can save some time by using our online forms.
How to Get a Boating License in Ontario: Using Our Web Forms
If you are somewhat familiar with boating, you have probably heard the terms “boat license” and “boating license” thrown around a bit. While these terms sound similar, they are actually quite different. A boat license, which is technically known as a pleasure craft license (PCL), applies to your boat. Transport Canada requires that any motorized vessel with an engine of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more carry a PCL. You can use our web forms to apply for your PCL online with just a few clicks.
A boating license, which is actually called a pleasure craft operator card (PCOC), is sort of like a driver’s license for a marine vessel. You can get a boating license by taking a brief course on boat safety then passing Transport Canada’s requisite exam.
Use Our Online Forms
If you need a PCL, we can help. Click on the PCL option in our navigation menu and use our web forms to submit your application in just minutes. For additional information about our services, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.