As we enter the fall season, there is no better time to get your boat out on the water. Taking in the autumnal sights in Canada with your friends and loved ones is better enjoyed on a boat, and you will want to be getting some voyages in before winter arrives. Before you set out to take in the sunset or view the beautiful foliage, there are a few items to check on. First, is your boat geared up for chillier weather? Make sure that you have plenty of supplies for those breezier trips. Also, is your paperwork in good order? If you need to first secure an Ontario boat license, we can help you do it online.
While autumn is a gorgeous season across our fair nation, Ontario offers an unbeatable selection of waterways in which you can launch your boat. In fact, this province is home to more than 250,000 lakes, which makes up nearly one-fifth of the entire world’s freshwater supply. In order to fully enjoy Ontario’s bountiful waters, you are going to want to make sure that you have both a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), as well as a Pleasure Craft License (PCL). Read on to learn more.
Who Needs an Ontario Boat License?
In trying to determine whether you need a “boat license,” or a “boating license,” it is easy to get mixed up in the terminology. A boating license, which is officially called a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, is sort of like a driver’s license for a boat. You can obtain your PCOC by taking an educational course and passing an exam with Transport Canada. Your PCOC demonstrates that you have a basic competency for operating a motorized vessel.
A boat license, which is called a Pleasure Craft License, applies to the boat itself. In Ontario, and throughout Canada, a PCL is required for any motorized boat with an engine of 10 or more horsepower (or 7.5 kW). Once issued, your PCL will give your boat its own registration number, which you will need to place above the waterline on both sides of your boat’s bow. You should use letters that are at least three inches high and a contrasting color from your boat’s exterior.
To get your PCL, you will need to complete an application with Transport Canada. You will also need to include a bill of sale, which serves as proof of ownership, and a full-size, side profile photograph of your vessel. You can process your application by mailing it to Transport Canada’s offices in Ottawa, or by working with a private service such as ours at the National Vessel Registry Center.
Submit Your PCL Application Online Today!
You can apply for your PCL by using our easy-to-fill online forms. Simply locate the correct permit from our top navigation, and with just a few clicks you can submit your application via our SSL-encrypted web portal. If you would like to learn more about our services, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, or email us today.
