How to get a boating licence in Ontario

Ontario boasts so many opportunities to get out on the water. After all, Ontario is home to more than 250,000 lakes, making boating a popular pastime for many Ontario residents for a reason. In fact, according to Boating Industry Canada, there were almost 2,500 new pleasure craft licences registered in Ontario just in June 2024 alone.

Whether you use a boat as a mode of transportation or a way to unwind throughout the summer, you will need a boating licence in Ontario. In fact, it’s the law. Transport Canada states that a pleasure craft operator card (PCOC) is legally required for all operators of motorized recreational watercraft in Canada.

Your step-by-step guide to getting a boat licence in Ontario

Are you looking to get your Ontario boating licence? Doing so is simple and easy. Just follow the three steps below, and you will be ready to cruise the open waters of Lake Ontario or Lake Erie in no time:

1. Register for a Transport Canada-approved boating safety course

To begin, you must register for a boating safety course delivered by course providers accredited by Transport Canada. Courses are available both in person and online, depending on the provider.

2. Complete the boating safety course

Once you register, you will need to complete the Canada-approved online boating safety course. The online course takes roughly three hours to complete.

3. Take the Transport Canada boating safety test

At the end of the course, you'll need to take the Transport Canada boating safety test. To pass the Transport Canada boating exam, you'll need to complete 50 multiple-choice questions and score at least 75%. Once you pass, you'll be approved for a boating licence.

Please note that if you do not pass on the first try, you can retake the exam for free as many times as you need.

4. Print a copy of your temporary boating licence

Once you have passed the Transport Canada boating safety test, you will be able to print a copy of your temporary boating licence. You can now legally drive your pleasure craft. Make sure that you keep a printed copy of your temporary licence with you at all times while operating any vessel.

5. Wait and receive your pleasure craft operator card (PCOC) in the mail

A physical PCOC will be sent to you in the mail within a few weeks of passing the safety test. Once you receive it, you can swap out your temporary licence for this one. Make sure you carry it anytime you are on the boat.

A PCOC never expires, so make sure you hang onto it. However, if your card gets lost or damaged, you’ll need to reach out to the course provider who issued your original PCOC to request a replacement. Please note that PCOCs are recognized by all Canadian provinces and territories, not just in Ontario.

Can I skip the boating safety course and just write the test?

Yes. While Transport Canada strongly recommends everyone take a boating safety course, it’s not mandatory. You may choose to challenge the test. However, you cannot challenge the test online if you haven’t taken the course. You’ll need to book an in-person session and write the test under the supervision of a Transport Canada-accredited Ontario course provider.

Approved course providers and costs

There are several course providers across Ontario and Canada that can help you get your pleasure craft operator card with varying prices and discounts, such as:

Visit Transport Canada for a complete list of accredited course providers in Canada.

Who needs a pleasure craft operator card (PCOC)?

If you’re planning to drive a motorized boat in Ontario, whether it’s for work or just for fun, you’ll need something called “proof of competency.” This shows that you know the basics of boating safety and what to do in an emergency. This applies to any kind of motor, even small electric ones like trolling motors, and it’s required even if you’re not using the motor, like when you’re sailing.

The most common way to show proof of competency is by earning your pleasure craft operator card (PCOC). A PCOC is like your Ontario driver's licence for your boat. It's proof that you have a basic understanding of how to safely operate your boat (pleasure craft). And just like with a driver's licence, it's illegal to operate your boat without it. You can take a boating safety course online or in person, and once you pass the test at the end, you'll receive your PCOC.

What’s covered in the boating safety course?

Transport Canada's boating safety course is designed to give you all the basics you need to stay safe on the water. You’ll learn about your responsibilities as a boat operator and how to prepare your boat and your guests before heading out. The boating course also walks you through:

• What safety equipment you need, and how to make sure it’s in good shape

• How to avoid dangerous situations while you’re out on the water

• What to do in case of an emergency

The course will also help you get familiar with the Canadian Buoy system and the rules for sharing the water with other boaters (including bigger, less nimble commercial vessels). On top of that, it covers all important regulations you’re expected to follow.

What's the difference between a boating licence and boating registration?

There are two types of boating licences. There's your boating operator licence, or your pleasure craft operator card (PCOC), which is like your driver's licence for your boat.

Another type of boating licence is your pleasure craft licence (PCL). According to Transport Canada, your PCL is like your car's licence plate, and you display it on both sides of the bow of the boat. It's free and valid for 10 years. In Canada, any pleasure craft, like a boat, with one or more engines totalling 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more, must have a PCL before being operated, unless it's registered in the Canadian Register of Vessels. Boating registration, or vessel registration, on the other hand, is required instead of a PCL if any of the following apply:

• You’re using your boat for commercial purposes, and it’s powered by engines totalling 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more

• You plan to operate your vessel outside of Canada

• You need to register a marine mortgage with Transport Canada

• You want to reserve a specific name for your vessel

Boating safety tips

If you want to keep your boat safe and secure while also helping lower your boat insurance premiums in Ontario, follow these boating safety tips below:

• Always let someone know before taking your boat out.

• Obey the rules of the water and drive extra slowly when passing other watercraft.

• Equip your boat with a monitored alarm system or anti-theft device to deter crime and possibly lower your insurance rates.

• Never get behind the wheel while impaired, whether from alcohol, cannabis, narcotics, or something else.

• Do not leave valuable items on your boat when it is unattended.

• Keep an emergency safety kit on board.

• Add lights to your boat if you often drive at night.

• Make sure everyone on board, including yourself, is wearing an approved personal flotation device at all times.

Learn more with BrokerLink

Now that you’re ready to get on the water, it's essential to protect your boat with boat insurance from BrokerLink. Contact BrokerLink today to speak with one of our licensed insurance experts about how Ontario boat insurance works and the benefits it offers. From there, we can answer any boat insurance questions you have and suggest what type of tailored coverage is right specifically for you and your watercraft.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Ontario. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.