Official Transport Canada Approved Newfoundland & Labrador Boating License
The Official Transport Canada Approved Boating Safety Course to obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Unlimited test retries included & good for life.
Do I Need a Boating License in Newfoundland & Labrador?
Newfoundland & Labrador residents who operate a motorized boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC), which is more commonly known as a ‘Sea-Doo’ or ‘Jet Ski’, must get an Official Boating License. The Newfoundland & Labrador Boating License (known officially as a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or PCOC) is required for all Canadian boaters, regardless of age, size of boat, or engine horsepower. Operators of motorized boats in Newfoundland & Labrador and all of Canada, are required to carry this federal proof of operator competency on board during boat operation or they will face a fine of $250.
Excellent!
BOATsmart! has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 8136 ratings and reviews.
Transport Canada Approved
We've been making smart boaters for more than 17 years. BOATsmart! is Canada’s largest Transport Canada Accredited Course Provider and we’re proud to be trusted by more Canadian boaters. Your BOATsmart! Card is also accepted in more than 40 U.S. states. We’ve got you covered.
Kempenfelt Bay, ON
"Amazing Job!"
“Wow, you guys have done an amazing job! Way more interactive and interesting than 8 years ago when I first took the boat exam. I am very impressed.“
Billy Allen
Pro Wakeborder
Watch, Listen & Learn
From anywhere, on any device at any time.
Our animated and narrated Boating Safety Course is perfect for all ages. Study from your Smartphone, Tablet or Desktop and switch between devices at any time. BOATsmart! automatically tracks your progress so you can study at your own pace.
Newfoundland Boating License Requirements
WHAT IS A PLEASURE CRAFT OPERATOR CARD?
All operators of motorized recreational motorized boats in Newfoundland are required to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), commonly called a boating license. Boat operators in Newfoundland are required to carry their boating license on board at all times during operation. Photocopies are not accepted. The PCOC is a federally mandated competency card, and it cannot be suspended or revoked.
WHERE CAN I GET MY NEWFOUNDLAND BOATING LICENSE?
You can obtain your official Newfoundland boating license by taking the BOATsmart! Course online and passing the Transport Canada Boating Safety test. Once you pass the open-book Test you can print your Temporary Card right away and go boating. Your Official BOATsmart! Card will arrive in the mail within 4 weeks at no charge.
HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO GET A BOATING LICENSE IN NEWFOUNDLAND?
While there is no minimum age to obtain your PCOC there are age and horsepower restrictions that apply to boat operators who are less than 16 years of age. See below, to learn more about age and horsepower restrictions that apply to young boaters in Newfoundland.
AGE AND HORSEPOWER RESTRICTIONS
No children under 12 years of age can operate a powerboat with a more than 10 horsepower engine.
Youths, aged 12 to 15 may only operate a boat with a motor up to 40 horsepower unsupervised.
Operators must be at least 16 years of age to operate a personal watercraft, such as a Jet Ski or Sea Doo.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET MY BOATING LICENSE?
The online Newfoundland boating safety course is standardized to a minimum of 3 hours. Once boaters have completed the online course and passed the Transport Canada Boating Safety Test, they can print a temporary boating license immediately. BOATsmart! then mails the permanent Operator Card within four weeks. Boat Operators in Newfoundland may also choose to complete an in-person classroom course and test however, the online course is the fastest way to complete the process.
CAN I GET REFRESHER LESSONS AFTER TAKING THE BOATING COURSE?
It’s important to keep up-to-date on boating laws and regulations in Newfoundland, including safety equipment requirements, licensing requirements, and navigation aids on Canada’s waterways. BOATsmart! has got you covered, with a free BOATsmart! Knowledge Base that includes everything you need to know about boating safety in Newfoundland. Boaters in Newfoundland can also purchase the printed BOATsmart! Study Guide. Keep a copy at the cabin, or on your boat to reference the latest regulations. The BOATsmart! Study Guide is available online and at Canadian Tire.
DO I NEED A LICENSE TO RENT A BOAT IN NEWFOUNDLAND?
In order to rent a boat in Newfoundland, boaters are required to either have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or complete an official rental boat safety checklist in order to prove their competency. Obtaining your Pleasure Craft Operator Card is ideal, as you will learn all of the knowledge you need in order to boat with confidence. A checklist won’t teach you how to respond if your pontoon boat runs aground or if a passenger falls overboard into cold water.
Boating and alcohol in Newfoundland
NEWFOUNDLAND BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS
It is illegal to operate a vessel in Newfoundland while consuming alcohol. Alcohol may only be consumed on board vessels equipped with a galley (kitchen), head (bathroom) and sleeping quarters, and only consumed while at anchor. While underway, open alcohol cannot be transported on any type of boat in Newfoundland. The fines and penalties for operating a boat under the influence of alcohol in Newfoundland are the same as those for operating a motorized vehicle.
Boating and Alcohol regulations in Newfoundland are enforced by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) which is the provincial police service for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Contact the RNC for more information about the laws for boating with alcohol in Newfoundland.
PENALTIES FOR DRINKING AND BOATING
Boating and Alcohol offences in Newfoundland are the same as those for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. There is NO difference between drunk driving & drunk boating.
The legal limit for alcohol consumption in Newfoundland is 80 mg. A boat operator’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) cannot exceed this level.
Age & Horsepower Restrictions
12 YEARS OF AGE & UNDER
Can operate a boat without supervision so long as the engine is not more than 10 horsepower and they have proof of competency. Boaters 12 years of age and under are not allowed to operate a PWC under any conditions.
12-16 years of age
Can operate a boat without supervision as long as the engine is not more than 40 horsepower and they have proof of competency. They are not allowed to operate a PWC under any conditions.
16+ YEARS OF AGE
Can operate a boat or PWC without supervision or horsepower restrictions so long as they have proof of competency.
ALL OPERATORS
All boat operators in Newfoundland regardless of age are required to obtain and carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or face a $250 fine.
Newfoundland and Labrador's Boating Fines
Failure to carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card
$250
Operating a Personal Watercraft (PWC) under 16 years of age
$250
Violation of age and horsepower restrictions
Up to $500
Operating a vessel in an unsafe manner
$500
Insufficient number of Transport Canada Approved lifejackets or PFDs. Fine is applicable for EACH missing or improper lifejacket or PFD.
$200
General Boating Newfoundland FAQs
WHO ENFORCES NEWFOUNDLAND’S BOATING LAWS?
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and other local police forces enforce boating rules and regulations in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Boating Emergencies:
Call 911 for emergencies on the water, like a boating accident or drowning.
DO COMMERCIAL BOAT OPERATORS IN NEWFOUNDLAND NEED A PLEASURE CRAFT OPERATOR CARD?
Commercial boat operators in Newfoundland are subject to different rules and regulations than recreational operators, and require different certification. Be sure that you’re familiar with the type of certification you need for the boat you’ll be operating.
CAN I SEE ICEBERGS WHILE BOATING IN NEWFOUNDLAND?
Yes – depending on the time of year. Boaters in Newfoundland may have the opportunity to see icebergs from late May to early June, along the coast. Be sure to operate at a safe distance, since the vast majority of an iceberg is located underwater.
How To Get a Boat License in Newfoundland
DO I NEED A PLEASURE CRAFT LICENSE?
All motorized boats and PWCs in Newfoundland powered by 10 horsepower or more are required to have a Pleasure Craft License. The number must be displayed on both sides of the bow, above the waterline, as far forward as possible, in block letters at least 7.5cm high that contrast with the colour of the boat.
HOW DO I GET A PLEASURE CRAFT LICENSE?
You can obtain a 10 year license for free from Service Canada. There are two ways obtain the license:
Option 1: Apply for a free Pleasure Craft License online.
Option 2: Download a paper application form and mail the completed form to the Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre at the following address:
Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
P.O. Box 2006
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 5G4
REGISTERING YOUR BOAT
Registering your boat is different than obtaining a Pleasure Craft License for your boat. There are added benefits to registering your boat.
BUYING A NEW OR USED BOAT IN NEWFOUNDLAND
Buying a boat in Newfoundland? Whether it’s a brand new boat from a dealership or a used vessel, you’re required to obtain a Pleasure Craft License. You are also required by law to ensure you carry on board all of the required boating safety equipment for the type and size of vessel.
A Pleasure Craft License or ‘boat license’ is a document and a set of I.D. numbers for your vessel. The document must be on board your boat at all times and the numbers must be displayed on the bow of your boat at all times.
Welcome To The Rock
Newfoundland and Labrador Boating Destinations
Well boaters, they say you can’t buy happiness… but you can go boating in Newfoundland, and that’s pretty much the same thing. As Canada’s easternmost province, Newfoundland & Labrador have more than 29,000 kilometers of coastline to discover by boat. Whether you’re planning a boat tour through Gros Morne National Park, a day of boating in Barachois Pond Provincial Park or wakeboarding on Deer Lake, there’s something for every boater. Just be sure to steer clear of icebergs – sure, they’re pretty nice to look at, and iceberg viewing is a sweet way to spend the day, but you don’t want to be the guy who recreated a scene from Titanic.
Don’t forget to check out Newfoundland’s stunning campgrounds. There are plenty of prime camping spots with boating access, mountainous scenery, and an abundance of wildlife. If there’s an angler in the family, they’re guaranteed to enjoy Newfoundlands abundance of Salmon and Trout fishing spots. Depending on where you plan on luring ‘em in, the fishing regulations for Newfoundland and Labrador will differ, so check them before you head out, and be sure to get your Newfoundland and Labrador Fishing License!
Happy boating Newfoundland! Long may your big jib draw.
Helpful resources for boating in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador's top boating destinations!