Your Official Canadian Boating License
The Transport Canada Boating Course, Test and License. A BOATsmart! card is required for all ages and all horsepowers.
ITS EASY TO GET YOUR BOATING LICENSE
Fast, official and easy. Take your BOATsmart!® Exam online and get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card for life.
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1. STUDY ONLINE
Comprehensive narrations & animations help you learn.
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2. ACE THE TEST
Unlimited free retries guarantee you'll pass.
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3. GET ON THE WATER
Congrats Captain! Your permanent card is in the mail.
831,182 Certified
Proud to be Canada's Boating Educator. Join the crew!
DO YOU NEED A LICENSE TO DRIVE A BOAT?
All operators of motorized boats in Canada are required to obtain and carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card regardless of age, length of boat or engine horsepower. There’s a $250 fine for boating without it.
Try the test for free
Not sure what to expect? Try the Practice Test for free and test your knowledge.
Try it now
Watch, listen
& learn
Animated, narrated & perfect for all ages.
Animated lessons
make it easy
Our animated, narrated and interactive lessons guide your learning experience and help you pass.
Everything you need
included
The BOATsmart!® Course includes all the knowledge you need to pass the test and boat with confidence.
Study at your
own pace
BOATsmart!® automatically tracks your progress on any device. Take it anywhere, anytime.
Designed for all ages
& skill levels
Designed in Canada, by Canadian boaters and subject matter experts just for you.
Made for boaters
by boaters
Excellent
Well thought out and easy to use👍
Gary R
Posted
2 months ago
It was all good. There was a spelling error on Question 14 of 50. It was about the length of the...
Steven R
Posted
2 months ago
Great content
Scott C
Posted
4 months ago
Great- helpful, informative, and quick. Thank you!
Elizabeth M
Posted
4 months ago
Very well done learning program and relevant quizzes. ...
Michel G
Posted
4 months ago
It was very straight forward and easy to understand. However, I think that some of the questions on...
Nicolas C
Posted
4 months ago
It was easy and good
Jaspreet S
Posted
4 months ago
Content was great, would have liked to see which questions I got wrong on the module quizes and on...
Jane M
Posted
4 months ago
Great service
Rinku B
Posted
4 months ago
Good good good
Vincent P
Posted
5 months ago
Save Up To 40%
Purchase more than one boating course, test and license and save up to 40%. Perfect for friends, family & workmates, we include everything you need to get your Official Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
1 BOATER
CANADA'S BOATING
EDUCATOR
Trusted and recognized from coast-to-coast.
The BOATsmart!® Card is good for life and valid in all Canadian provinces and territories including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island", Newfoundland & Labrador, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
25% off your boat insurance
Get certified with BOATsmart!® and save up to 25% on you annual policy premiums – for life. BOATsmart! Assure® is a new way to buy boat insurance. You get premium coverage at consumer direct pricing.
Get the guide
Everything you need to pass the test & boat with confidence.
Replacement cards
Lost? Damaged? Need some back-ups for the cottage or boat?
The most asked questions by our customers
Who needs a boating license?
If you operate a motorized boat in Canada, you need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC or boating license) regardless of your age, length of boat or engine size – even boats equipped with electric trolling motors and sailboats equipped with engines. Operating a motorized boat without a Pleasure Craft Operator Card will result in a minimum $250 fine. Once obtained from BOATsmart!®, your PCOC is good for life.
What happens if I don't pass?
You can retry your official boating test once every 24 hours. If you fail the test more than once, Transport Canada requires that you retake the online boating course. Your one-time fee includes unlimited retries and unlimited access to the online boating course.
Is a boating license the same as a Pleasure Craft Operator Card?
All motorized boat operators in Canada are required to obtain and carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Many boaters commonly refer to the PCOC as a boating license, boat license or boat card.
Is my pleasure craft operator card good for life?
Yes. The Pleasure Craft Operator Card is good for life, no renewal is required.
How old do I have to be to get a pleasure craft operator card?
There is no minimum age to take the online boating course. Boaters of all ages are required to obtain and carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card when operating a motorized boat. Once obtained, your boating license is good for life.
Is the PCOC valid across Canada?
Yes. When you obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator Card from BOATsmart!® it’s valid in all provinces and territories.
How do I get a boating license?
You can get your boating license in 3 easy steps. First, study and pass the official Transport Canada Boating Safety Course online. Then take the 50 questions multiple choice exam. Once passed, print a temporary card immediately and receive your PCOC by mail within 4 weeks.
How do I replace my lost boating license?
BOATsmart!® issues replacement boating licenses in Canada. Call toll free 1-877-792-3926 or order online here. You can print a valid temporary card immediately and your replacement card will arrive by mail within 4 weeks.
What's included in the boating course?
The boating course includes all of the knowledge you need to prepare for the test and obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. The course includes boating basics and terminology, rules & regulations, safety equipment, safe boat operation, navigation and right-of-way rules, marker buoys and emergency preparedness.
Who is BOATsmart!?
BOATsmart!® is Canada’s Boating Educator and a Transport Canada Accredited Course Provider. Since 2003, we’ve educated and certified more than 650,000 Canadian boaters.
How hard is the test?
The online boating test is open book and consists of 50 multiple choice questions. You’ll need at least 75% (38 out of 50) to pass. Everything you need to pass is covered in the BOATsmart!® Course.
Can I get an insurance discount with my boating license?
If you obtain your pleasure craft operator card from BOATsmart!® you are eligible for 25% off your annual policy premium, an exclusive benefit offered through BOATsmart! Assure™.
Canadian Boating Knowledge Base
The BOATsmart! Canada knowledge base will help you prepare for the course and exam.
Learn More