If you live in Ontario, Canada, and you’d like to navigate the waters in the region on a boat, you’ll need to acquire the required credentials or permit. The credentials you’ll need is the Ontario boating license. To get this license, you must go through the Ontario boater registration process. This boating permit is called the PCOC or Pleasure Gift Card. Let us uncover each step involved in getting this document.

Acquiring the License

Here are the stages you must pass to get your license and the time required for the process:

Preparing and studying for the boating course

To receive your Ontario boating permit, you must study for the safety course for Canada boating. Once you pass this exam, you’ll be ready for the certification. It is a short course that takes a maximum of 4 hours to complete. This Ontario boater education course covers areas like safety rules in boating, rules for navigation, and emergency measures. It can either be done in-person or online under the supervision of an accredited organization like the Canadian Red Cross.

Writing the exam

After you have finished the course, you’ll be asked to write an exam that consists of 50 questions that can last for an hour or two hours. The pass score for this safety exam is 75 percent.

Getting the boating permit

After passing the course, you’ll be given your permit. Note that this card can be used for life because it does not expire. However, you must carry it whenever you want to hit the waters of Ontario on a boat.

How long does it take to get the boating permit?

When you calculate the 3 to 4 hour timeline used in preparation of the exam, 1 to 2 hours used to complete it, it could take you about 6 hours to obtain the document. This is the case because you will be issued your permit immediately. However, it can take 4 weeks to receive it after passing the course depending on the delivery method used to send it to you.