Need a Replacement Pleasure Craft License? Here's What to Do

Losing your boat license can be a hassle, but getting a replacement pleasure craft license in Canada is easier than you'd think. Stolen, lost, or damaged, it doesn't matter — having a valid licence on your boat is required by law, and replacing it keeps you within the law and safe on the water.

The Need for a Pleasure Craft Licence

Any pleasure boat with an engine of more than 10 HP (7.5 kW) is required to get a valid pleasure craft licence issued by Transport Canada in Canada. Your vessel is assigned a number, which has to be clearly displayed on both sides of the bow. It stays compliant, and also emergency responders can easily recognize your boat should they need to do so.

So if your licence has been lost or destroyed, don’t wait. It’s important to replace it before your next outing.

How to Get a Replacement Licence Online

Thanks to Vessel Registration Canada, getting a pleasure craft licence transfer is fast and straightforward. You’ll typically need:

Your old licence number (if available)

Proof of ownership (such as a bill of sale)

A copy of a valid government-issued ID

Once you've posted your application online, your substitute licence will be mailed by Transport Canada to you directly.

Don't Let a Missing Licence Hold You Back

Boat season is all about unwinding on the water, not about worrying over paper forms. If your licence is missing or illegible, just take a few minutes and ask for a new one. Doing so keeps you legal and lets you relax every time you leave the harbour.

 

Transferring a Pleasure Craft Licence in Canada? Here's What You Need to Know

A pleasure craft licence transfer is one of the early tasks to complete after getting a used boat in Canada. Because of Transport Canada, this process happens to ensure the ownership records of the vessel are up to date and correct.

Boats that have more than 10 horsepower are given a unique number known as a pleasure craft licence. The registration number continues to be the same after a sale, but the owner’s name needs to be altered. It allows authorities to identify the owner quickly whenever there is an emergency.

Obtaining a pleasure craft license transfer is simple if you handle it through the web. Through Vessel Registration Canada, things happen quickly, are safe, and don’t require any paperwork. You’ll have to submit a few basic documents such as:

A bill of sale or ownership proof

A copy of your government-issued photo ID

The current pleasure craft licence number

Once you've submitted, your details are updated to Transport Canada, and you'll be issued your new licence document naming you as the registered owner.

Getting the pleasure craft licence transfer taken care of immediately means you can get on the water with confidence, knowing you're fully compliant and your boat is properly registered.