What is a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card?

This is also referred to as a Boating License in Canada and all provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, PEI, British Columbia, Alberta etc.

November 18,2009. The Pleasure Craft Operator Card is a boating competency card. The laws requiring you to get certified are being phased in over the next year.

By September 2009 all Canadian power boat operators will need to write a boater exam in Canada and have to be certified! . To obtain your Card, you will be required to pass a Transport Canada Accredited exam. By passing the boating exam you’ve proven that you’re a competent boater. The exam covers aspects of general boating safety, navigation, marker buoys and emergency preparedness. Once obtained, your Boating License is good for life !

How Do The Rules Apply to Me?
Right now, all young boaters in Ontario and all provinces and those that operate small pleasure craft need a card:

• Many anglers operate smaller boats, including those less than 4 metres (13.1 feet) in length. Right now, all operators of powered boats less than 4 metres in length need an Operator Card – no matter what your age or the horsepower of your boat.

• Also, any person born after April 1, 1983 needs their card now – regardless of the size of craft being operated.
  
  

Should I get my card now or wait until 2009?
Very soon all power boat operators will need to write a Boating test. By September 15, 2009 all operators of power-driven craft will require a Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Transport Canada is not approving any new course operators because it is reviewing the current system of issuing boating licenses. The rules will change! It will become much more difficult to acquire the card next year. The Ministry of Transport is holding meetings right now to determine how the course will be changed! Don't wait.

Each year the cost of certification increases. By obtaining your card now, you will be able to get a Boat License at a lower cost – and your card is good for life. Get it now and you'll have met the legal requirements for a boating test in Canada.

The Cost through this program to get what is referred to as a Boating License is only $ 44.95 and you never have to RENEW. If you plan to boat for the next 20 years; your cost will only be around $ 2.00 a year!

Keep in mind:

• Once obtained, your Boat icense card is good for life
• Without the card you cannot operate PWCs (personal watercraft) or powered boats less than 4 m (13.1 ft) in length – even if you are just borrowing the craft.
• Once certified, you may be eligible for insurance discounts
• The card is recognized in Canada and for out of state boaters
  in the USA
  
  

How Can I Get An Operator Card?
You can obtain your Boating License Operator Card by taking the boater exam. You must receive a grade of at least 75% on the Boating test, which consists of 36 question multiple choice questions. The current course has a very high pass rate, click here for a sample question. If you obtain a score of 75% or greater, you can print a temporary card immediately and your official operator card will be mailed to your home in 2 – 4 weeks.

How Do I Prepare For The Exam?
You can prepare for the exam by taking the Boating License Canada course or by studying the online Guide.
The Study Guide is a comprehensive home study resource that includes all the knowledge you need to pass your exam. Available in both book and interactive CD-ROM format, you can purchase the Study Guide at participating locations.

Prefer to study online? You can access the Boating License free online study guide for helpfull information.

What Happens If I Don’t Have My Card?
If stopped by enforcement officers without your Boating License, you will be fined. Fines vary from province to province, but generally range between $280 and $320. For example, if you’re stopped in Ontario and don’t have your card, you will be issued a fine of $305 under the Competency of Operators Pleasure Craft Regulations.

What If I Lose My Operator Card?
If you lose your card you can get for a replacement operator card. For a small fee replacement boat license cards can be mailed out to those boaters who obtained their original Operator Card Boating license.