You may be asking: do I need a boat license to drive a boat in Canadian waters? The short answer is no, the operator does not need a license, but the boat does. The operator or skipper requires confirmation of competency as demonstrated in the form of a craft operator card (PCOC). After 15 September 2009, all recreational boaters must have that certification as stipulated by the relevant regulations.
The PCOC is a proof of competency, not a license. The PCOC cannot be suspended or revoked; it has no expiry date and is issued free of any government charge. The card can be obtained from an accredited private company course and test provider. The test can be completed at a bricks-and-mortar centre or online. Applicants are required to answer thirty-six questions in multiple-choice format. To pass the test, at least twenty-seven questions must be answered correctly.
The administrative procedure for obtaining a PCOC is straight-forward. It can be obtained by passing a short test consisting of 36 questions all of which are multiple-choice. The maximum time allowed for the test is 45 minutes. To pass the test, the applicant must obtain a mark of 75 percent or more.
All skippers of powered vessels used for pleasure require a PCOC. This regulation does not apply to vessels used for commercial purposes. There is no exemption for size of vessel, age of vessel or size of engine. A powered craft is defined as any boat fitted with any size motor - including electric trolling motors. All operators are required to pass the test and be issued with an operator card.
The proof of competency requirement is broad in its application. All operators of powered recreational vessels requires a pleasure craft operator card. No exemption is permitted for age, size of boat or engine. A powered craft refers to any pleasure boat, personal watercraft, or other craft (including sailing vessels) fitted with a motor of any size, including an electric troll motor. There is no "grandfather" clause or age exemption; all pleasure craft operators will be required to obtain an operator card.
Neither Transport Canada nor the Canadian Coast Guard teach boating safety courses or offer testing. All courses and testing is administered by private companies (such as BOATsmart! Canada) that have been officially accredited by Transport Canada. There is a charge for the course and also the exam. The exam can be written as often as required, but it can be written only once in every 24-hour period. There is no charge for retries of the exam.
All operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor are now required to have proof of competency onboard. Failure to produce this proof of competency can result in a fine of $250.00, plus regional administration costs. Pleasure craft operators are required to carry the license onboard their craft at all times. It is probably fair to say that Canada, has lagged other countries in introducing this boating competency requirement. Many comparable nations introduced a similar requirement years ago.
The licensing regime is administered by Transport Canada. The law is enforced by various peace officers including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Conservation Officers. The enforcement authority varies according to province or jurisdiction.
In summary, if someone asks you: do I need a boat license to drive a boat, you now know that the answer is no. What is required is proof of competency obtained in the form of a the PCOC upon successful completion of a boating course administered by an accredited course provider testing centre or course provider. Further details are available on the Transport Canada website.
The PCOC is a proof of competency, not a license. The PCOC cannot be suspended or revoked; it has no expiry date and is issued free of any government charge. The card can be obtained from an accredited private company course and test provider. The test can be completed at a bricks-and-mortar centre or online. Applicants are required to answer thirty-six questions in multiple-choice format. To pass the test, at least twenty-seven questions must be answered correctly.
The administrative procedure for obtaining a PCOC is straight-forward. It can be obtained by passing a short test consisting of 36 questions all of which are multiple-choice. The maximum time allowed for the test is 45 minutes. To pass the test, the applicant must obtain a mark of 75 percent or more.
All skippers of powered vessels used for pleasure require a PCOC. This regulation does not apply to vessels used for commercial purposes. There is no exemption for size of vessel, age of vessel or size of engine. A powered craft is defined as any boat fitted with any size motor - including electric trolling motors. All operators are required to pass the test and be issued with an operator card.
The proof of competency requirement is broad in its application. All operators of powered recreational vessels requires a pleasure craft operator card. No exemption is permitted for age, size of boat or engine. A powered craft refers to any pleasure boat, personal watercraft, or other craft (including sailing vessels) fitted with a motor of any size, including an electric troll motor. There is no "grandfather" clause or age exemption; all pleasure craft operators will be required to obtain an operator card.
Neither Transport Canada nor the Canadian Coast Guard teach boating safety courses or offer testing. All courses and testing is administered by private companies (such as BOATsmart! Canada) that have been officially accredited by Transport Canada. There is a charge for the course and also the exam. The exam can be written as often as required, but it can be written only once in every 24-hour period. There is no charge for retries of the exam.
All operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor are now required to have proof of competency onboard. Failure to produce this proof of competency can result in a fine of $250.00, plus regional administration costs. Pleasure craft operators are required to carry the license onboard their craft at all times. It is probably fair to say that Canada, has lagged other countries in introducing this boating competency requirement. Many comparable nations introduced a similar requirement years ago.
The licensing regime is administered by Transport Canada. The law is enforced by various peace officers including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Conservation Officers. The enforcement authority varies according to province or jurisdiction.
In summary, if someone asks you: do I need a boat license to drive a boat, you now know that the answer is no. What is required is proof of competency obtained in the form of a the PCOC upon successful completion of a boating course administered by an accredited course provider testing centre or course provider. Further details are available on the Transport Canada website.
About the Author:
Summer is here, get a boat exam or operator card and set sail. Getting a boating license is now quick and easy, simply register for a operator card test, sit the online boat exam and away you go.
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