Posted January 8, 2026
Transport Canada has made some changes for boat dealers and people who own recreational boats, officially called a Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL).
A pleasure craft licence is similar to a car licence plate and are unique to
licence holders who have recreational boats with at least one engine and a total
of at least 10 horsepower.
It is different than a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), which is similar to a
driver’s licence and is required to operate a pleasure craft.
As of Dec. 31, 2025, Transport Canada has made several updates to the PCL
as amendments to the Small Vessel Regulations.
Now, pleasure craft licences must be renewed every five years – and current
lifetime licences will be gradually replaced with PCLs that must be renewed
every five years.
Meanwhile, boat owners will have to pay a $24 service fee whenever they apply
for – renew – transfer or replace their pleasure craft licence.
The federal government notes that this service fee will increase in price
annually based on inflation.
Lastly, under the new rules, licence holders will now have up to 30 days to
change their name or address on their PCL if that information requires
updating – instead of the previous 90 days.
“These changes will make boating safer, protect the environment, and ensure
licence holders share the cost of administering the program fairly,” said
Transport Canada in a release Tuesday.
“This will also help the government to tackle wrecked, hazardous, and
abandoned vessels by keeping ownership information accurate and up to date.”
Transport Canada says there are approximately 12 million recreational boaters
across the country.
It adds that being registered with a PCL makes it easier for first responders to
identify the owner of a boat in an emergency, or locate them if their vessel is
abandoned or unsafe.
“Recreational boating is part of who we are as Canadians, and it’s essential that
our safety system keeps pace with the way people use our waterways today,”
said Steven MacKinnon Canada’s Minister of Transport.
“By modernizing the pleasure craft licensing program, we’re strengthening
marine safety, improving environmental protection, and ensuring we have
accurate information when it matters most.”
Transport Canada adds that in 2028, boaters who own a wind-powered pleasure
craft over six metres in length will also be required to hold a PCL.
A pleasure craft is defined as a vessel that is used for fun or “daily living”, while
a non-pleasure craft is any other type of vessel – such as one that people use for
work, one that someone needs to pay for to board, or one that is providing a
service.
More information about how to apply for, or renew, a PCL can be found on the
Transport Canada website through the link below.
www.tc.canada.ca
Transport Canada has made some changes for boat dealers and people who own recreational boats, officially called a Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL).
A pleasure craft licence is similar to a car licence plate and are unique to
licence holders who have recreational boats with at least one engine and a total
of at least 10 horsepower.
It is different than a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), which is similar to a
driver’s licence and is required to operate a pleasure craft.
As of Dec. 31, 2025, Transport Canada has made several updates to the PCL
as amendments to the Small Vessel Regulations.
Now, pleasure craft licences must be renewed every five years – and current
lifetime licences will be gradually replaced with PCLs that must be renewed
every five years.
Meanwhile, boat owners will have to pay a $24 service fee whenever they apply
for – renew – transfer or replace their pleasure craft licence.
The federal government notes that this service fee will increase in price
annually based on inflation.
Lastly, under the new rules, licence holders will now have up to 30 days to
change their name or address on their PCL if that information requires
updating – instead of the previous 90 days.
“These changes will make boating safer, protect the environment, and ensure
licence holders share the cost of administering the program fairly,” said
Transport Canada in a release Tuesday.
“This will also help the government to tackle wrecked, hazardous, and
abandoned vessels by keeping ownership information accurate and up to date.”
Transport Canada says there are approximately 12 million recreational boaters
across the country.
It adds that being registered with a PCL makes it easier for first responders to
identify the owner of a boat in an emergency, or locate them if their vessel is
abandoned or unsafe.
“Recreational boating is part of who we are as Canadians, and it’s essential that
our safety system keeps pace with the way people use our waterways today,”
said Steven MacKinnon Canada’s Minister of Transport.
“By modernizing the pleasure craft licensing program, we’re strengthening
marine safety, improving environmental protection, and ensuring we have
accurate information when it matters most.”
Transport Canada adds that in 2028, boaters who own a wind-powered pleasure
craft over six metres in length will also be required to hold a PCL.
A pleasure craft is defined as a vessel that is used for fun or “daily living”, while
a non-pleasure craft is any other type of vessel – such as one that people use for
work, one that someone needs to pay for to board, or one that is providing a
service.
More information about how to apply for, or renew, a PCL can be found on the
Transport Canada website through the link below.
www.tc.canada.ca
