Make sure that you\u2019re covered to boat safely and legally in British Columbia with the proper licencing. Here’s what you need to know!<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you own and operate a boat in Canada, you\u2019ll likely need to licence and register it, depending on your boat type. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many boats are considered pleasure crafts in Canada, which means they\u2019re used for fun and daily living. You probably have a pleasure craft if you\u2019re spending your time going to the cottage, waterskiing, or leisurely going out on the water, meaning that you\u2019ll need to license your pleasure craft<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your pleasure craft must be licenced if it has a 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) motor or more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Canada, boat registration<\/a> is required for commercial vessels, government-owned vessels, barges, commercial river rafts, vessels with a marine mortgage and vessels travelling outside of Canada. Pleasure crafts are just required to be licenced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pleasure crafts in British Columbia are required to be equipped with a Pleasure Craft Licence, with the following exceptions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that after this 90-day grace period, pleasure craft boaters are required to carry documentation with their name, address, and purchase date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To apply for a Pleasure Craft Licence in British Columbia, you can apply online or complete a mail-in application<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The application can be printed and mailed alongside all required documents or can be completed electronically, and the following documents are required when you register a new pleasure craft:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no charge for the issuance of a Pleasure Craft License in British Columbia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, any pleasure craft caught operating without a licence will be charged a fee of $250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To transfer ownership to your new pleasure craft, complete the application for a Pleasure Craft Licence and write \u201ctransfer ownership\u201d in the field marked for application reason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The following documents are required to transfer ownership to a pleasure craft:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your British Columbia pleasure craft must display the licence number at all times on both sides of the boat\u2019s bow in a contrasting colour and a size of at least 7.5 centimetres (or 3 inches) high. The Pleasure Craft Licence itself must always be carried on the boat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, any Pleasure Craft Licence issued after 2010 is valid for ten years. However, if you move or your name changes, make sure you update your boat’s registration with the new information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll also need a license to operate the boat<\/a> legally in BC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Boats](\"http:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/KE_Boat_FL_2024-253-crop-1024x684.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Do I Know If My Boat Needs to Be Registered?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Boats Are Exempt?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"A](\"http:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/05\/Red-boat-moored-at-end-of-dock-1024x651.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Do I Licence My Boat in British Columbia?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How Much Does it Cost To Licence a Pleasure Craft in British Columbia?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Do I Transfer Ownership To My New Pleasure Craft?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Else Do I Need to Know About British Columbia Boat Registration?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"http:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/KE_Boat_FL_2024-173-crop-1024x684.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBoat Safely and Legally in British Columbia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n