Small Vessel Licensing Regulations

Transport Canada has made it effective January 6, 2026 that all boats’ Pleasure Craft Licenses (PCL) now have an expiry date, and a $24 fee applies to new, renewed, transferred, or replaced PLCs.

Important note: this is different than the “Pleasure Craft Operator Card” that is issued in your name; this is for your boat(s) and a copy must be carried on board at all times.

If you have a boat that was licensed in 1974 or earlier, you must 'renew' by March 31st this year, or face fines. If licensed between 1975 and 1985, you have until the end of 2026, etc. The new standard will be a 5-year renewal period for PLCs. Get all the details - including a renewal deadline chart by boat license date – from a link in the “Latest News” on FOCA’s webpage: https://foca.on.ca/boating/

Link to the Transport Canada website here.