{"id":136,"date":"2024-03-01T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/\/?p=136"},"modified":"2024-07-30T20:08:28","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T20:08:28","slug":"ok-so-who-needs-a-boating-license-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/ok-so-who-needs-a-boating-license-in-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"Ok, So Who Needs a Boating License in Canada?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><br>Did you know you could become a certified boater today, starting right now? Seriously, you\u2019re only three steps away from getting your boating license, getting out on the water, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/its-your-time-make-it-safe\/\">staying safe<\/a> throughout your boating adventures!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s as easy as pouring yourself a cup of coffee, settling into a comfy chair, and turning on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The BOATsmart! course is online and can be completed from almost anywhere \u2013 even on your dock if you get Wi-Fi there. Is there a better place to take the course than that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1\">How can you get started? Keep reading to learn how to get your boating license in three steps today . . . from anywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/Boating-License-Canada.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/Boating-License-Canada.jpg\" alt=\"Digital tablet computer with isolated screen on old wooden desk.\" class=\"wp-image-3182\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>3 Simple Steps<\/strong> to Getting Your Boating License<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It really is just this easy. With a boating license, you can boat safely (and legally) in the Canada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s how to do it: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>STEP 1: <\/strong>Complete <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/ca\/#three-easy-steps\">Canada\u2019s Official Boating Safety Course<\/a> at BoatSmartExam.com! It\u2019s fully animated, narrated, and designed for all ages!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>STEP 2: <\/strong>Pass the multiple-choice test. Retries are free and limitless! No pressure!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>STEP 3: <\/strong><em><strong>Go Boating!<\/strong><\/em>  You can print a temporary card (i.e., your boating license) immediately! Your official BOATsmart! The card will be in the mail, and once you\u2019ve got it, it&#8217;s good for life! No renewal needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If that sounds too good to be true, it&#8217;s not. You can learn boating safety essentials through the course, take and pass the required exam, and have a card in hand \u2013 all on the same day. <\/p>\n\n\n<h2><strong>OK, So <em>Who<\/em> Needs a Boating License? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">I do. You do. Your neighbour does. Your grandpa, who\u2019s been\u00a0boating for 50 years, does. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">It\u2019s the law, and it <a href=\"https:\/\/tc.canada.ca\/en\/marine-transportation\/marine-safety\/operator-card-pcoc-faq#who\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">applies to all ages<\/a>. If you\u2019re\u00a0operating a motorized boat in Canada, you\u2019re legally required to carry your <strong>proof\u00a0of competency<\/strong> on the boat with you, like a boat\u00a0license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">FYI: The fine for operating a boat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/ca\/canadian-boating-regulations\/#provincial-fines\">without a boat license<\/a> ranges from $250-$10,000. However, the cost of the BOATsmart! course is $49.95+ tax. So, <em>it\u2019s kind of a no-brainer<\/em> to go ahead and get that license! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/Small-Boats-03.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/Small-Boats-03.jpg\" alt=\"A small boat docked on the water, who needs boating license concept. \" class=\"wp-image-3185\" width=\"780\" height=\"520\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>My Boat Engine\u00a0is Really Small. Do I Still Need a Boat License? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">You\u2019ll need a boating license no matter the size of your boat&#8217;s engine your boat. Even small boat\u00a0motors less than 10 HP require one! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">A boat license is required to operate all\u00a0types of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boats.com\/how-to\/motorboat-terms-different-powerboat-types-uses-and-definitions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">motorized boats<\/a>, too. So, if you attach a motor to a rubber dinghy, you better put a\u00a0boating license in your pocket before that &#8220;watercraft&#8221; leaves shore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Still Have Questions?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Canadians have a <em>lot\u00a0<\/em>of questions about Canada\u2019s boating laws and the requirement to obtain and carry a boat license when on the\u00a0water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">We get asked questions like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>What do I need to legally operate my boat?<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>What side of the marker buoy do I go on? <\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>How do I get a boating\u00a0license?<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>What are the rules for boating in Canada?<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We can&#8217;t answer all the questions here, but you&#8217;ll find plenty of answers on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/ca\/canadian-boating-regulations\/#boating-license-requirements\">Boating License FAQs Page<\/a>! We cover many questions about licensing, alcohol and boating, some restrictions for boaters, and more. And if that page isn&#8217;t enough, start your boater education course and find more answers there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also contact our Canadian Customer Care team at 1-877-792-3926 or <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:info@boatsmartexam.com\" target=\"_blank\">info@boatsmartexam.com<\/a>. They love to talk shop with other boaters!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/C8DZZJP3PV.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/05\/C8DZZJP3PV-1024x586.jpg\" alt=\"Get Ready, Get Fresh\" class=\"wp-image-3186\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Build Your Knowledge and Get Licensed Today<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, if your boat\u2019s been sitting in storage, it needs a spring service before launching. You might also need a refresher on your boat\u00a0operating skills and current rules and regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, if you&#8217;re new to boating and have never taken a course, today&#8217;s an excellent day to take the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/ca\/#three-easy-steps\">Canadian course through BOATsmart!<\/a> to get ready for safe boating adventures this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, <strong>have a great summer on the water, Canada!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Originally published March 1, 2020. Content most recently reviewed and updated July 30, 2024.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did you know you could become a certified boater today, starting right now? Seriously, you\u2019re only three steps away from&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":124500,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[663,684],"tags":[692],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v14.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>So, Who Needs a Boating License in Canada? | BOATsmart! Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Who needs a boating license in Canada? 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