How to Transfer a Pleasure Craft Licence After Buying a Used Boat in Canada

Transfer the existing licence into your name within 30 days

If a used pleasure craft already has a Canadian Pleasure Craft Licence, Transport Canada requires the new owner to transfer that licence within 30 days of the ownership change.

The licence number normally stays with the pleasure craft. Transport Canada specifically tells sellers not to cancel the Pleasure Craft Licence simply because the boat was sold; instead, the buyer transfers the existing licence into their name.

A Pleasure Craft Licence identifies the craft and licence holder for enforcement and search-and-rescue purposes. It is not proof of ownership, which is why Transport Canada separately requires evidence such as a bill of sale when you apply.

Check whether the boat needs a Pleasure Craft Licence

For recreational use in Canada, a pleasure craft generally requires a Pleasure Craft Licence when it:

• has one or more engines totalling at least 10 horsepower (7.5 kW), even if the engine is installed only temporarily; and
• is principally operated and maintained in Canadian waters.

A craft that is registered in Canada does not also need a Pleasure Craft Licence. Transport Canada also identifies circumstances in which vessel registration, rather than licensing, is appropriate, including when an owner wants a registered vessel name or needs to register a marine mortgage.

If the boat you bought has no existing Canadian Pleasure Craft Licence, this is not a transfer application: Transport Canada directs you to apply for a new licence instead.

What documents do you need for the transfer?

Transport Canada requires three core items for a new or transferred Pleasure Craft Licence:

• valid government-issued ID for all owners;
• proof of ownership; and
• a photo of the pleasure craft.

If another person is applying for the owner, a third-party authorization letter is also required. A pleasure craft held in the name of a business requires authorization for an application submitted on behalf of the legal entity.

What ID does Transport Canada accept?

Transport Canada requires a copy of valid signed government-issued identification for all owners. Accepted examples include provincial or territorial birth certificates, certificates of Canadian citizenship, valid Canadian passports, provincial or territorial driver's licences and other government-issued identification, preferably with a photo.

A person who is resident in another country may provide government-issued identification from their own country. Provincial and territorial health cards are not accepted.

What must the bill of sale show?

A bill of sale is one of the documents Transport Canada accepts as proof of ownership. To support the licence transfer, the ownership document should include:

• the name, address and signature of the seller;
• the name and signature of the new owner;
• a description of the pleasure craft, including its make, model and colour;
• the Hull Identification Number (HIN), if available; and
• the existing Pleasure Craft Licence number, if the boat is already licensed.

Other documents may qualify as proof of ownership depending on the transaction, including a signed sale/purchase agreement, will or bequest, separation or divorce agreement, court judgment or declaration under oath.

What if you cannot provide normal proof of ownership?

Transport Canada says a declaration under oath may be used when you do not have other proof of ownership. The declaration must contain enough information to establish that you are legally entitled to license the specific pleasure craft.

Transport Canada provides a sample declaration and identifies information that should be included, such as the owner details, licence number where applicable, make and model, Hull Identification Number, hull material and colour, propulsion type, seller information if known, and an explanation of why normal ownership documents cannot be provided.

How to transfer a Pleasure Craft Licence online

The fastest route is Transport Canada's online Pleasure Craft Licensing service. Prepare your documents before starting.

For an online application, supporting files must be clear and legible, have a resolution of at least 300 DPI, be no larger than 5 MB each, and use PDF, JPG, TIFF or PNG format.

1. Select the Transport Canada service for applying for or managing a Pleasure Craft Licence.
2. Choose the option to transfer an existing Pleasure Craft Licence.
3. Enter the requested owner and pleasure craft information.
4. Upload your government-issued ID, proof of ownership and boat photo, plus any required authorization document.
5. Pay the applicable transfer fee through the available payment method.
6. Submit the application and retain the confirmation and temporary licence provided by Transport Canada.

After an online application is submitted, Transport Canada emails a temporary Pleasure Craft Licence valid for 30 days. It allows the applicant to operate the pleasure craft while the permanent licence is being processed, subject to the applicable federal requirements.

Can you use the boat before the licence transfer is completed?

The Small Vessel Regulations provide a limited transfer period. A pleasure craft that has changed ownership may be operated until the earlier of:

• the day the new owner receives the transferred licence; or
• the 30th day after ownership was transferred.

During this period, documents confirming the new owner's name and address and the date of transfer must be carried on board.

If you submit the application online, Transport Canada also emails a temporary licence after submission. Keep the applicable licence and ownership-transfer documents on board.

Can you apply by mail?

Yes. If you cannot apply online, Transport Canada allows a mailed application using Application for Pleasure Craft Licence form 84-0172E.

Mail the completed application, copies of the supporting documents and applicable payment to:

Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
PO Box 2006
Fredericton NB E3B 5G4

For mailed applications, Transport Canada accepts Visa or Mastercard information entered in the payment section of the form, or a money order payable to Pleasure Craft Licensing. Cheques are not accepted.

How much does the transfer cost and how long does it take?

The Small Vessel Regulations establish a $24 base fee for an application to transfer a Pleasure Craft Licence and provide for annual fee adjustment on April 1 based on the Consumer Price Index. Because the amount can therefore change, use the current amount shown by Transport Canada when you submit the application.

An exemption applies where an owner declares on the application that they can exercise a right recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and will operate the pleasure craft for the purpose of exercising that right.

Transport Canada's published service standard is to issue a transferred licence within 5 business days after receiving a complete application.

Incomplete applications take longer. For online applications, if Transport Canada requests missing documents and does not receive them within 90 days, the application is automatically rejected. For mailed applications, the corresponding period is 1 year.

What happens after the transfer is approved?

Once Transport Canada has received all required documentation and payment and processed the application, it sends the Pleasure Craft Licence document by email or mail depending on how you applied.

A newly transferred Pleasure Craft Licence is valid for 5 years before it must be renewed.

You must keep the Pleasure Craft Licence document on board. The licence number must also be displayed:

• on both sides of the bow;
• above the waterline;
• in block characters at least 7.5 cm (3 inches) high; and
• in a colour that contrasts with the background.

If you later need to change owner contact information or boat details, see the Helpydo guide on renewing or updating a Pleasure Craft Licence. If the licence document itself is lost or damaged, use the separate procedure for replacing a Pleasure Craft Operator Card only if it is the operator competency card that is missing; a PCL document and an operator card are different documents.

Common mistakes when transferring a used boat licence

• Missing the 30-day transfer period. Start the licence transfer promptly after buying the boat.
• Assuming the seller should cancel the licence. Transport Canada says the licence number stays with the craft and the buyer transfers it.
• Treating the Pleasure Craft Licence as proof of ownership. The licence identifies the craft but does not establish legal ownership.
• Using an incomplete bill of sale. Make sure it identifies both parties and the boat and includes the required signatures and available HIN and licence information.
• Uploading unclear documents. Online files must meet Transport Canada's format, size and resolution requirements.
• Confusing a PCL with a Pleasure Craft Operator Card. The licence identifies the boat; the operator card is proof of boating competency.
• Ignoring a request for missing documents. An online application can be automatically rejected if requested material is not supplied within 90 days.