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A boater licence is mandatory to boat on Canadian waters. Sign up to get your official Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) in Alberta!
Drive a Boat Canada is a Transport Canada approved Canadian provider of the official boating safety course, test and licence.
You need to get certified to operate a motorized boat of any size in Alberta. This certification is called a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). It is not really a licence. It is the official proof of competency required under Canadian federal law. An Alberta driver’s licence does not qualify you to drive a boat.
Join over 2 million Canadians who trust Drive a Boat Canada’s Transport Canada-accredited online boating course. Since 1999, we have delivered a top-tier boating safety course for Alberta residents. We’ll help you get fully prepared for safe and enjoyable boating.
Take the online course, pass the exam, and get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card!
Unbeatable group discounts! Pay once and get lifetime access.
You can get a replacement boater card from Drive A Boat Canada. You will need to provide your name, date of birth and shipping address, and pay a fee. You may also need to provide proof that you previously held a PCOC.
Your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is valid for life and will never expire. Once you get your card, remember to stay aware of local boating safety regulations and activity-specific certifications.
You can complete our accredited online boating safety course in about three hours. Some students take less time and others take more. It depends on how much you already know, how much you study, and how quickly you want to learn.
A Pleasure Craft Operator Card and a boating licence are the same thing in Canada. Pleasure Craft Operator Card is the official term, but many boaters simply call their certification a boating licence or PCOC.
There is no minimum age requirement to obtain a boating licence (Pleasure Craft Operator Card, or PCOC) in Alberta. However, there are age and horsepower restrictions for operating motorized boats:
16 years and older: Can operate any pleasure craft regardless of horsepower.
Yes! You need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) to legally operate any motorized boat in Alberta, regardless of the boat’s size or engine horsepower.
The Transport Canada approved Drive A Boat boating course and exam are available 100% online.
No specific documents are required. The PCOC is obtained by completing the Transport Canada-approved boating safety course and passing the test.
If you are caught operating a boat without a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) in Alberta, the penalties include:
Always carry your PCOC while operating any motorized watercraft in Alberta.
No, you do not need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) to operate non-motorized boats in Alberta, such as kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards.
Yes. If you are renting a motorized boat in Alberta, it is mandatory to have your proof of competency with you on board. This can be fulfilled by the PCOC or the rental safety checklist.
You do not need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) to go fishing in Alberta if you are using a non-motorized boat (e.g., kayak, canoe). However, if you are operating a motorized boat, regardless of engine size or type, you are required by law to have a PCOC on board while fishing.
Drive a Boat Canada offers a fun and stress-free experience for obtaining your Pleasure Craft Operator Card in Alberta. Millions of Canadian boaters have been certified with us. Sign up today and get your official boating licence in one afternoon!
