Pleasure Craft Licence Changes Are Now Law

It’s official! As of the publishing of Canada Gazette, Part II, on December 12, 2025, important changes to the Pleasure Craft Licensing process became law. 

A Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) is a unique identification number displayed on both sides of the bow of recreational boats. All power boats with 10 hp or more require a PCL. Similar to a car’s licence plate, it enables emergency responders and law enforcement to quickly identify a boat’s owner, thereby improving response times in urgent situations and supporting efforts to address unsafe or abandoned boats.

 What are the changes?   

Here are the key updates you should be aware of: 

• Expiry date: All new, transferred and renewed pleasure craft licences are valid for five years. Licences that previously didn’t have an expiry date will now have one (see table below).
• Fee: A $24 fee will apply to new, renewed, transferred or replaced pleasure craft licences.
• Updating your information: You must now update your licence information within 30 days of it changing (e.g., changes to name or phone number). Updating your information is free.
• Cancellation of a PCL: The criteria for cancelling a licence have expanded. A licence must be cancelled if the vessel is no longer seaworthy or for other specific reasons outlined by the Minister of Transport.
• Wind-powered craft:  Starting December 31, 2027, wind-powered pleasure craft over 6 metres long will also need a pleasure craft licence. This will not apply to human-powered boats like kayaks, canoes, or dragon boats.  

Expiry date  

You can check your licence expiry date online using your pleasure craft licence number here. 

For older licences that didn’t have an expiry date, the following expiry dates will now apply:    

Fee  

A $24 fee will be applied for new, renewed, transferred, or replaced pleasure craft licenses. You will not be charged to update personal information like your address or phone number , or to cancel your license.   

 You don’t have to pay the $24 fee to licence your boat if you use your pleasure craft to exercise your Indigenous rights as recognized and affirmed under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, such as hunting, fishing, and trapping. You can make this declaration by using the checkbox on the licence application form. 

Updating  your  information  

If your pleasure craft does not have a valid licence (including up-to-date information) or is not registered, you may be liable to a fine. Having accurate information on file is essential for your safety. It allows  search and rescue to find you in case of emergency. As of January 6, 2026, you can update your information online at any time, free of charge here.

 Learn more  

You can learn more about the new regulations by reading the Government of Canada’s press release here, and all the details can be found in the Regulations Amending the Small Vessel Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II.