Pleasure Craft Licensing

Service Canada is now the place to get your pleasure craft licence.

As of April 1, 2006, all 320 Service Canada Centres offer pleasure craft licences on behalf of Transport Canada. A pleasure craft licence is no longer available from the Canada Border Services Agency.

What is a Pleasure Craft Licence?

A pleasure craft licence is the number placed on the sides of each recreational vessel as required under the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act. All recreational vessels under 15 gross tons (12 metres or less) and powered by an engine 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more must be licensed or registered, regardless of where they operate in Canada. The licence number is used to assist law enforcement and search and rescue organizations in identifying each individual pleasure craft.

Obtaining your Pleasure Craft Licence

Visit our How-to section to learn how to:

• License a previously unlicensed pleasure craft
  
  
• Transfer the licence of a previously licensed pleasure craft in your name
  
  
• Obtain a duplicate of your licence
  
  
• How to fill out a Declaration Under Oath

There is no charge for these services.

Pleasure craft licences are available in-person at Service Canada Centres only. You can also obtain further information about required documents and pleasure craft licences at Service Canada outreach and community offices in your community. Visit Services Where You Live or call 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232) to find a Service Canada Centre near you.

For More Information

To learn more about pleasure craft licensing or about boating safety:

• read our pleasure craft licence questions and answers
  
  
• visit Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety Web site where you will also find general information about boating safety and the Safe Boating Guide; or
  
  
• call the Safe Boating line at 1 800 267-6687.
  
  

Boat dealers can visit our Dealer's Guide to Pleasure Craft Licensing for best practices, frequently asked questions, and more.

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