Apply for a new licence or manage an existing licence
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- Apply for a new pleasure craft licence
- Transfer a pleasure craft licence
- Renew a pleasure craft licence
- Get a duplicate of a pleasure craft licence
- Update information on your pleasure craft licence
- Cancel a pleasure craft licence
- Apply for a new Dealer Demonstration Licence
- Claim an abandoned pleasure craft
Apply for a new pleasure craft licence
A new pleasure craft licence is only needed when the pleasure craft hasn’t been licensed before. An existing licence stays with the pleasure craft but the licence needs to be transferred into the new owner’s name.
If you bought or built a new pleasure craft, you will need a new pleasure craft licence. If the pleasure craft is coming from another country to be used mostly in Canada, you will need a new Canadian pleasure craft licence or registration.
A pleasure craft can’t be licensed in both Canada and another country. It can have only one set of identifying numbers. You need to remove the old marking before marking the pleasure craft with the new Canadian licence number. Displaying both numbers can result in a fine.
To get a new pleasure craft licence you need to complete an online application. You can also apply by mail by downloading an application form and printing it.
In both cases you also need to provide these supporting documents:
- proof of ownership or the bill of sale
- a copy of a signed valid government-issued I.D. for each owner
- full side-view colour photograph of the pleasure craft
- a third-party authorization letter (if the person applying is someone other than the owner(s))
- authorization to submit a pleasure craft licence application for a legal entity (if the craft is in the name of a business)
Apply online (preferred method)
There are many advantages to applying for your licence online. One is that as soon as your application is submitted, we will send you an email with a temporary pleasure craft licence that will allow you to use your craft immediately. This temporary licence is valid for 90 days and must be kept onboard at all times.
Apply by mail
Download, complete and print the Application for Pleasure Craft Licence, form 84-0172E (includes instructions) [PDF, 1.1 MB].
NOTE: Provide signed photocopies of your supporting documents, originals are not required. For privacy reasons, we don’t keep any copies of supporting documents and all copies will be destroyed.
To avoid delays, please read all instructions before completing and submitting the form. If your application has errors or is missing information, it will be returned to you by mail with a letter explaining what’s missing.
Mail your application and documents to:
- Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
- PO Box 2006
- Fredericton NB E3B 5G4
Transfer a pleasure craft licence
A transfer is needed if the pleasure craft is already licensed.
A pleasure craft licence has to be renewed every 10 years.
If you’re buying a pleasure craft that’s already licensed, you must transfer the licence from the previous owner. The licence must be transferred within 90 days of the day of transfer of ownership of the pleasure craft.
To transfer a licence, you need the licence number and to complete an online application. You can also apply by mail by downloading an application form and printing it.
In both cases you also need to provide these supporting documents:
- proof of ownership or the bill of sale
- a copy of a signed valid government-issued I.D. for each owner
- full side-view colour photograph of the pleasure craft
- a third-party authorization letter (if the person applying is someone other than the owner(s))
- authorization to submit a pleasure craft licence application for a legal entity (if the craft is in the name of a business)
Apply online (preferred method)
There are many advantages to applying for your licence online. One is that as soon as your application is submitted, we will send you an email with a temporary pleasure craft licence that will allow you to use your pleasure craft immediately. This temporary licence is valid for 90 days and must be kept onboard at all times.
Apply by mail
Download, complete and print the Application for Pleasure Craft Licence, form 84-0172E (includes instructions) [PDF, 1.1 MB].
NOTE: Provide signed photocopies of your supporting documents, originals are not required. For privacy reasons, we don’t keep any copies of supporting documents and all copies will be destroyed.
To avoid delays, please read all instructions before completing and submitting the form. If your application has errors or is missing information, it will be returned to you by mail with a letter explaining what’s missing.
Mail your application and documents to:
- Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
- PO Box 2006
- Fredericton NB E3B 5G4
Renew a pleasure craft licence
A pleasure craft licence has to be renewed every 10 years.
You can check the expiry date of your pleasure craft licence with your licence number. You can only start a renewal 3 months before your expiry date or after it has expired. To renew your pleasure craft licence, you need the licence number and to complete an online application. You can also apply by mail by downloading an application form and printing it.
In both cases you also need to provide these supporting documents:
- a copy of a signed valid government-issued I.D. for each owner
- a third-party authorization letter (if the person applying is someone other than the owner(s))
- authorization to submit a pleasure craft licence application for a legal entity (if the craft is in the name of a business)
Apply online (preferred method)
There are many advantages to applying for your licence online. One is that as soon as your application is submitted, we will send you an email with a temporary pleasure craft licence that will allow you to use your pleasure craft immediately. This temporary licence is valid for 90 days and must be kept onboard at all times.
Apply by mail
Download, complete and print the Application for Pleasure Craft Licence, form 84-0172E (includes instructions) [PDF, 1.1 MB].
NOTE: Provide signed photocopies of your supporting documents, originals are not required. For privacy reasons, we don’t keep any copies of supporting documents and all copies will be destroyed.
To avoid delays, please read all instructions before completing and submitting the form. If your application has errors or is missing information, it will be returned to you by mail with a letter explaining what’s missing.
Mail your application and documents to:
- Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
- PO Box 2006
- Fredericton NB E3B 5G4
Get a duplicate of a pleasure craft licence document
If your pleasure craft licence document has been lost, damaged or stolen, you need to get a duplicate by completing an online application. You can also apply by mail by downloading an application form and printing it.
Getting a duplicate pleasure craft licence does not change the expiry date. You will still need to renew your licence on its expiry date. You can check the expiry date of your pleasure craft licence with your licence number.
In both cases you also need to provide these supporting documents:
- a copy of a signed valid government-issued I.D. for each owner
- a third-party authorization letter (if the person applying is someone other than the owner(s))
- authorization to submit a pleasure craft licence application for a legal entity (if the craft is in the name of a business)
Apply online (preferred method)
There are many advantages to applying for your licence online. One is that as soon as your application is submitted, we will send you an email with a temporary pleasure craft licence that will allow you to use your pleasure craft immediately. This temporary licence is valid for 90 days and must be kept onboard at all times.
Apply by mail
Download, complete and print the Application for Pleasure Craft Licence, form 84-0172E (includes instructions) [PDF, 1.1 MB].
NOTE: Provide signed photocopies of your supporting documents, originals are not required. For privacy reasons, we don’t keep any copies of supporting documents and all copies will be destroyed.
To avoid delays, please read all instructions before completing and submitting the form. If your application has errors or is missing information, it will be returned to you by mail with a letter explaining what’s missing.
Mail your application and documents to:
- Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
- PO Box 2006
- Fredericton NB E3B 5G4
Update a pleasure craft licence
If your name, address, phone number or email address changes or there are changes to the pleasure craft you need to update your pleasure craft licence information. You have 90 days from the date of these changes.
Updating your pleasure craft licence does not change the expiry date. You will still need to renew your licence on its expiry date.
To report one or more changes, you will need your licence number and to complete an online application. You can also apply by mail by downloading an application form and printing it.
In both cases you also need to provide these supporting documents:
- a copy of a signed valid government-issued I.D. for each owner
- a third-party authorization letter (if the person applying is someone other than the owner(s))
- authorization to submit a pleasure craft licence application for a legal entity (if the craft is in the name of a business)
If you’re updating your name, you will need a copy of one of these documents:
- an adoption order
- a divorce decree
- a legal change of name document
- a marriage certificate or marriage registration
- a request to amend a record of landing or a confirmation of permanent residence
They can be uploaded in the additional document slot in the document upload section of the online application, or you can send a photocopy by mail. Please do not send original documents.
Apply online (preferred method)
There are many advantages to applying for your licence online. One is that as soon as your application is submitted, we will send you an email with a temporary pleasure craft licence that will allow you to use your pleasure craft immediately. This temporary licence is valid for 90 days and must be kept onboard at all times.
Apply by mail
Download, complete and print the Application for Pleasure Craft Licence, form 84-0172E (includes instructions) [PDF, 1.1 MB].
NOTE: Provide signed photocopies of your supporting documents, originals are not required. For privacy reasons, we don’t keep any copies of supporting documents and all copies will be destroyed.
To avoid delays, please read all instructions before completing and submitting the form. If your application has errors or is missing information, it will be returned to you by mail with a letter explaining what’s missing.
Mail your application and documents to:
- Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
- PO Box 2006
- Fredericton NB E3B 5G4
Cancel a pleasure craft licence
If you sell your pleasure craft do not cancel the licence. A pleasure craft licence number remains with a pleasure craft for its entire life. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to transfer the licence to their name.
You should only cancel your pleasure craft licence if:
- you decide to register your pleasure craft (instead of licensing it)
- it’s no longer seaworthy
- it has been destroyed
- it’s no longer principally maintained or operated in Canada
To cancel a pleasure craft licence, you need the licence number and to complete an online application. You can also apply by mail by downloading an application form and printing it.
In both cases you also need to provide these supporting documents:
- proof of ownership or the bill of sale
- a copy of a signed valid government-issued I.D. for each owner
- full side-view colour photograph of the pleasure craft
- a note explaining the reason for the cancellation which includes:
- the name and address of the owner(s)
- the pleasure craft licence number (if applicable)
- why you’re cancelling the licence
Apply online (preferred method)
There are many advantages to applying for your licence online. One is that as soon as your application is submitted, we will send you an email with a temporary pleasure craft licence that will allow you to use your pleasure craft immediately. This temporary licence is valid for 90 days and must be kept onboard at all times.
Apply by mail
Download, complete and print the Application for Pleasure Craft Licence, form 84-0172E (includes instructions) [PDF, 1.1 MB].
NOTE: Provide signed photocopies of your supporting documents, originals are not required. For privacy reasons, we don’t keep any copies of supporting documents and all copies will be destroyed.
To avoid delays, please read all instructions before completing and submitting the form. If your application has errors or is missing information, it will be returned to you by mail with a letter explaining what’s missing.
Mail your application and documents to:
- Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
- PO Box 2006
- Fredericton NB E3B 5G4
Apply for a Dealer Demonstration Licence
We provide boat dealers with the option of requesting a Dealer Demonstration Licence. This licence is issued to a dealer so customers can test drive unlicensed pleasure craft in the dealer's possession. It does not apply to any one pleasure craft.
The Dealer Demonstration licence must:
- be in both the name of the business and a person with signing authority for the business
- never be transferred to a consumer
The Dealer Demonstration Licence number is not to be permanently affixed to, or painted, on any pleasure craft. The licence number needs to be:
- removable when not in use
- clearly visible from each side of the pleasure craft
- marked in block characters
- not less than 75mm high
- in a colour that contrasts with the background
- clearly marked "Dealer's Licence"
There is a limit of 6 Dealer Licences per business. Should you require more, contact Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety directly to justify your request.
A request for a Dealer Demonstration Licence can only be submitted by mail.
You also need to provide these supporting documents:
- proof you are in the business of selling pleasure craft (business licence or notarized affidavit)
- authorization to submit a pleasure craft licence application for a legal entity
- a copy of a signed valid government-issued I.D. of the person signing the application form
Apply by mail
Download, complete and print the Application for Pleasure Craft Licence, form 84-0172E (includes instructions) [PDF, 1.1 MB]. Only complete section A, section B, and section F.
NOTE: Provide signed photocopies of your supporting documents, originals are not required. For privacy reasons, we don’t keep any copies of supporting documents and all copies will be destroyed.
To avoid delays, please read all instructions before completing and submitting the form. If your application has errors or is missing information, it will be returned to you by mail with a letter explaining what’s missing.
Mail your application and documents to:
- Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
- PO Box 2006
- Fredericton NB E3B 5G4
Claim an abandoned pleasure craft
To salvage and claim an abandoned or found craft, contact local police to make sure the vessel wasn’t stolen or involved in a crime. If you claim the craft, you will need to decide if you want to licence or register it.
If you decide that you want to licence or register the craft and it was found on shore or in Canadian waters, contact your region's Receiver or Wreck through Transport Canada's Navigation Protection Program.
If you know the craft’s licence number, you can choose to keep it or get a new number. If you want a new number, you can choose which province code will appear in the licence number.
If you decide to licence the pleasure craft, you will need:
- a copy of a signed valid government-issued I.D. for each owner
- a declaration under oath from the person who found the abandoned craft or the person who is now applying for the pleasure craft licence explaining how they got the craft
- documentation from Transport Canada’s Receiver of Wrecks (ROW) that notes the original owner of the craft hasn’t laid claim to the craft and the ROW has released the craft to you
For an abandoned craft not found on shore or in Canadian waters (for example: found by the roadside, abandoned in a forested area, or claimed from a garbage dump), you will need to supply an official property report completed by an enforcement agency (municipal, provincial, or federal).
This report will act as proof of ownership and must be submitted before a licence is issued.
A pleasure craft licence for a claimed abandoned craft must be done by mail and not online.
Apply by mail
Download, complete and print the Application for Pleasure Craft Licence, form 84-0172E (includes instructions) [PDF, 1.1 MB].
NOTE: Provide signed photocopies of your supporting documents, originals are not required. For privacy reasons, we don’t keep any copies of supporting documents and all copies will be destroyed.
To avoid delays, please read all instructions before completing and submitting the form. If your application has errors or is missing information, it will be returned to you by mail with a letter explaining what’s missing.
Mail your application and documents to:
- Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
- PO Box 2006
- Fredericton NB E3B 5G4
Sections
- Do you need a PCL?
- What you need before you start
- Apply for a new licence or manage an existing licence
- After you apply
- Additional information
