Official Transport Canada Approved Yukon 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 Yukon?
Yes, in order to legally drive a motorized boat in the Yukon you must first obtain your Canada Boating License (Pleasure Craft Operator Card. This is a federal competency card and will be accepted in any of Canada’s provinces and territories.
There is a $250 fine that boaters will receive from law enforcement if caught operating a boat without a boating license on board.
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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.
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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.
Yukon Boating License Requirements
WHAT IS A PLEASURE CRAFT OPERATOR CARD?
A Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is a federally mandated competency card required to legally operate any motorized recreational boat in Canada. Commonly called a boat license, the PCOC cannot be suspended or revoked and, once obtained, is good for life. Operators must carry their boat license on board their boat at all times during operation. Photocopies are not accepted as proof of competency.
WHERE CAN I GET MY YUKON BOATING LICENSE?
You can obtain your official 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 THE YUKON?
All boat operators, including those who are less than 16, are required to obtain a boating license to operate a recreational motorized boat in Canada. There are no minimum age requirements to get certified. Keep in mind that there are certain age and horsepower restrictions that apply to operators who are less than 16 years of age. For more information on engine horsepower restrictions, see below.
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 boating safety course takes about three hours to complete. Upon completing the course, and passing the Transport Canada Boating Safety Test, operators can print a temporary card and go boating immediately. Operators will receive their permanent card in the mail within 4 weeks. Boaters 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?
BOATsmart! offers a free Knowledge Base that contains all of the information you need to keep up-to-date on the latest boating rules and regulations. Learn about boating safety equipment requirements, docking, PWC operation and tips to keep you safe and confident on the water. Quebec boaters can also obtain a printed BOATsmart! Study Guide to keep on board as a reference guide. The BOATsmart! Study Guide is available online and at Canadian Tire.
DO I NEED A LICENSE TO RENT A BOAT IN THE YUKON?
In order to rent a boat in the Yukon, 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 PCOC is preferable, 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.
Boating and alcohol in Yukon
YUKON BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS
Boat passengers may legally consume alcohol on board a boat in the Yukon so long as the boat has a permanent toilet, cooking facilities, sleeping facilities and it is anchored or docked.
Contact the Yukon RCMP for more information about the laws for boating with alcohol in the Yukon.
YUKON BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS
In the Yukon, the fines and penalties for driving a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are the same as those applicable to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There is NO difference between drunk driving and drunk boating.
Boat passengers may legally consume alcohol on board a boat in the Yukon so long as the boat has a permanent toilet, cooking facilities, sleeping facilities and it is anchored or docked.
Contact the RCMP for more information about the laws for boating with alcohol in the Yukon.
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 Yukon regardless of age are required to obtain and carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or face a $250 fine.
Yukon'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 Yukon FAQs
WHO ENFORCES THE YUKON’S BOATING LAWS?
Both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local municipal police detachments patrol the Yukon’s waterways.
Boating Emergencies:
Call 911 for emergencies on the water, like a boating accident or drowning.
Non-Emergencies:
Call 1-888-310-1122 for non-emergency inquiries such as questions about regulations.
CAN I USE MY YUKON BOATING LICENSE TO GO BOATING IN OTHER PROVINCES?
Yes. Your Yukon Boating License or PCOC can be used to legally drive a powerboat anywhere in Canada!
How To Get a Boat License in Yukon
DO I NEED A PLEASURE CRAFT LICENSE?
All motorized boats and PWCs in the Yukon 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 THE YUKON
Buying a boat in the Yukon? 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 Land of the Midnight Sun
Yukon Boating Destinations
You want to talk about water? This beautiful Northern Territory is a watershed of the Yukon River, which is the second largest river in Canada! The Yukon also is speckled with tons of glacier fed lakes, making it a seriously scenic boating destination. Head out for an evening boat cruise on Lake Laberge and get an unmatched view of Canada’s Northern Lights, or paddle out on the famous Emerald Lake, with its sparkling green-blue waters. Wherever you choose to launch your boat, boating in the Yukon is an amazing northern experience that you can’t get anywhere else in Canada! Use Discover Boating’s Marina and Boat Launch finder to make your Yukon trip planning a breeze!
For avid anglers, the fishing experience of a lifetime is to cast a line on the Yukon River. Try your luck at catching some of the Yukon’s trophy-sized fish species! Just be sure to check out the most recent fishing regulations before you start reeling ‘em in!
Helpful resources for boating in Yukon
Yukon's top boating destinations!