Changes to the Pleasure Craft Licensing Process

January 22, 2026

John Gullick, Manager of Special Programs, CanBoat / NautiSavoir

In the past, I have talked about possible changes to the Pleasure Craft Licensing (PCL) process.

The Pleasure Craft License is the license for the vessel itself as usually noted by the series of letters and numbers found on each side of the bow of a powered vessel of 7.5 kw (9.9 hp) or greater. It is not to be confused with the Pleasure Craft Operator Certificate (PCOC) or other forms of operator competency, required by all operators of powered vessels.

What are the changes to the PCL process?  

Here are the key updates from Transport Canada you should be aware of:  

  • Expiry date: All new, transferred and renewed pleasure craft licenses are valid for 5 years. Licenses 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 licenses. 
  • Updating your information: You must now update your license 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 license have expanded. A license 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 need a pleasure craft license. This will not apply to human-powered boats like kayaks, canoes, or dragon boats. 

Expiry date 

You can check your license expiry date using your pleasure craft license number. For older licenses that didn’t have an expiry date, the following expiry dates will now apply:   

Licence issue date Licence expiry date 
December 31, 1974 or earlier March 31, 2026 
January 1, 1975 to December 31, 1985 December 31, 2026 
January 1, 1986 to December 31, 1995 December 31, 2027 
January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1999 December 31, 2028 
January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2005 December 31, 2029 
January 1, 2006 to April 28, 2010 December 31, 2030 

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 license (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 at https://www.pcl-pep.snbservices.ca/1001/PubWeb/Default.aspx?lang=en-CA.

Learn more 

You can learn more about the new regulations by reading the Regulations Amending the Small Vessel Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

Everything You Need To Know About Canadian Boat Licence Numbers

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Bennington 22 MSB

By Andy Adams

If you’ve already had firsthand experience with a pontoon, you will easily understand the appeal of the Bennington 22 MSB. But if you haven’t, let’s start by reviewing a few of the reasons why pontoon boats have become top sellers in markets across North America.

Pontoon boats began in the early 1950s as basically four steel drums lashed to a frame. They were not unlike the log rafts of ancient cultures and not much more sophisticated at first.

Read More

Destinations

The Best of Two Worlds

By Mathew Channer

Interior British Columbia might not be as famous for recreational boating as Canada’s Great Lakes, yet it is no less a world-class boat­ing destination. The mountains offer their own flavour of marine adventure with their series of long, deep ribbon lakes, and there is perhaps no area that embodies this more uniquely than the iconic Okanagan basin in southern B.C. One could be forgiven for assuming this valley was purpose-built for nautical fun, with a few delightful perks thrown in to make the area entirely irresistible (wine-tasting, anyone?).

Read More

Lifestyle