The Transport Canada Boat Licence Application Process Explained

Here in Canada, you don’t need to register recreational vessels with Transport Canada, but you do need a specific licence in order to operate a pleasure craft. Now, you might be thinking that this is going to be like getting your driver’s licence, but the process is actually fairly different. It will mostly just involve the application form, which you can find here on our website. However, before that, you will need to go through the process of getting your own operator card. None of this is particularly complicated, but it will involve some attention to detail throughout the process in order to avoid mistakes and delays in the application.

The Process For You to Get Your Operator Card

The first thing you should know about the process to get a licence is that it has a few different steps you will go through before receiving the official document,

• Safety Test – The first thing that you will need in order to get your licence will be to take the official Transport Canada exam, known as the Canada Boating Safety Test (TCBS Test for short). You will have two attempts to pass the test. Just remember, in case you fail the first attempt, you will have to wait twenty-four hours before the second one.

• Temporary License – Once you pass the Canada Boating Safety Test, you will be able to print the online course completion document. This can act as a temporary boating licence in all Canadian provinces while you wait to receive the actual license.

• Operator Card – Now, between two to three weeks, you will be receiving your pleasure craft operator card in the mail. This permit will be recognized in all Canadian provinces, so don’t worry about where you are setting sail to within the country.

Vessel Documentation Forms