Get Your Manitoba boating license
The Official Online Transport Canada Boating Course, Test and License.
The Official Online Transport Canada Boating Course, Test and License.
822,485 COURSES COMPLETED & COUNTING
“It’s all about freedom. no roads, no lines, no boundaries to guide my adventures.”
Calvin T. – Lake of the Woods, Ontario
Excellent
On the quizzes, it would be nice to know what you got wrong so you could go back and learn more...
Ashley I
Posted
1 day ago
The course had great information. There were quite a few errors in the content: audio not including...
Kaitlyn H
Posted
1 week ago
Audio cuts out part way through each module
Kayleigh N
Posted
2 weeks ago
Some of the videos are too slow and repetitive but overall well done.
Bill G
Posted
4 weeks ago
The coarse was very helpful and easy to follow. A lot of the pages would not play the audio though.
DANIEL P
Posted
1 month ago
The course was well done and I learned a lot. My only complaint is that many of the pages had audio...
Michelle L
Posted
1 month ago
The site was very easy to use and the lessons were engaging. The program well prepaires you for...
David O
Posted
1 month ago
Relevant and not over done.
Ryan B
Posted
1 month ago
Great course
AUSTEN B
Posted
1 month ago
Very thorough course. I liked the addition of the videos and audio voiceover.
Esther V
Posted
2 months ago
Captain
in 1, 2, 3
1. Take the course
2. Ace the test
3. You’re the captain now
Who needs it?
Approved,
Accredited
& awesome
We've been making smart boaters for more than 15 years. BOATsmart! is Canada's largest Transport Canada Accredited Course Provider. Your BOATsmart! Card is also accepted in most U.S. states. We’ve got you covered!
We've been making smart boaters for more than 15 years. BOATsmart! is Canada's largest Transport Canada Accredited Course Provider. Your BOATsmart! Card is also accepted in more than 40 U.S. states. We’ve got you covered!
822,485 Smart
Boaters & growing
Made for boaters, by boaters. The BOATsmart! Course is the fastest, easiest way to get your Official Canadian Boating License. Study at your own pace and we'll automatically track your progress. We include 24/7 access, live customer support and a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Plus, exclusive partner discounts.
Other courses
Official BOATsmart! Course
Go Boldly
Canadian Boating Knowledge Base
Boating in Manitoba
Trusted and recognized from coast to coast
Manitoba boaters have the boating lifestyle down to a science. Known as the ‘Land of 100,000 Lakes’, there’s no shortage of boating destinations to choose from here. If you’re in search of some top-notch spots to cast off, check out Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park with its Caribbean-blue waters, or Whiteshell Provincial Park, which boasts over 200 lakes.
How to get a boat license in Manitoba
Do I need a Pleasure Craft License?
You can obtain a 10 year license for free from Service Canada. You must renew the license after the 10 year period has expired.
How to get a pleasure craft 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
Manitoba Boating Laws & Fines
Manitoba’s laws for boating & alcohol
A boat operator’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level cannot exceed 80 mg.
This is the legal alcohol limit in Manitoba.
There is NO difference between drunk driving & drunk boating.
Boat passengers may consume alcohol on board a boat in Manitoba so long as the boat is licensed for alcohol consumption, or the boat has a permanent toilet, cooking facilities, sleeping facilities and it is anchored or docked.
Contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for more information about the laws for boating with alcohol in Manitoba.
Manitoba’s Age & Horsepower Restrictions
Can operate a boat without supervision so long as the engine is not more than 10 horsepower and they have proof of competency. They are not allowed to operate a PWC under any conditions.
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.
Can operate a boat or PWC without supervision or horsepower restrictions so long as they have proof of competency.
$250
$250
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$500
Manitoba Boating FAQs
Is a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) the same as a Boating License?
A Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is better known by Manitoba’s boaters as a boating license. It’s a federal competency card that you carry with you (like a driver’s license for your boat), and it is required to operate motorized boats in Canada. Once you’ve got your PCOC it will be good for life – no renewal will ever be needed.
Do I need a Canadian Boating License in Manitoba?
Yes, your Canadian Boating License (the PCOC) is legally required to operate any type of motorized boat in Canada. The Pleasure Craft Operator Card can also be used to go boating in more than 40 U.S. states. You just have to get certified once and you’ll be covered.
How long does it take to get my Manitoba Boating License, and become a certified boat operator?
The BOATsmart! Online Course & Test take approximately 3 hours to complete. Once you pass the Official Transport Canada Boating Test you’ll get your permanent Manitoba Boating License Card in 4 weeks. But there’s no need to wait! Once you pass you can print a temporary Boating License and hit the lake.
Is boat insurance mandatory in Manitoba?
No, boat insurance is optional in Canada. However coverage is highly recommended. You can save up to 25% of your annual boat insurance policy with BOATsmart! Assure.
How can I keep my knowledge up-to-date if I never need to renew my Manitoba boating license?
Boating rules and regulations in Manitoba may change as the years pass, and it can be really helpful for boaters to refresh their knowledge on boating skills like how to dock your boat in the wind or how to anchor your boat for an overnight stay on the water. There’s also lots to remember each season about the safety equipment you need to have on your boat. That’s why we’ve created our free BOATsmart! Knowledge Base and if you would like to have a boating handbook with you on the boat, you can do that too! Order a BOATsmart! Study Guide for a handy on-the-water reference.
Can I drive a boat in other provinces with my Manitoba Boating License?
Yes, your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is valid for boating anywhere in Canada, including any of Canada’s public waterways.
How do you get a Boating License in Manitoba?
You must take the Transport Canada Approved BOATsmart! Course and pass the Boating Safety Test to get your Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card. It’s easy! Simply take the official Transport Canada Test from home, online, print your Temporary Card and you can go boating right away.
How old do I need to be to get my Manitoba Boating License?
There is no minimum age to get your boating license in Manitoba, however, Canada does have age and horsepower restrictions for young boaters, depending on the engine horsepower and type of boat being operated.
What are the laws in Manitoba for boating & alcohol?
The RCMP enforce the laws for drinking and boating in Manitoba and they patrol the waterways regularly to make sure boaters are safe out there.
Do I need a boating license in Manitoba to rent a boat?
When renting a boat, you can use your completed boat rental safety checklist as your proof of operator competency. However, it’s a super smart idea to get your official BOATsmart! Card. A checklist won’t teach you how to respond if your pontoon boat runs aground or how to respond to cold water emergencies during remote fishing trips!
Go Boating in Manitoba
Feeling adventurous? Check out West Hawk Lake. This 115 metre deep lake was created by a meteor, and has become a really popular scuba diving location in Canada. For a more relaxing day on the water, Glad Lake and Goose Lake are both prime fly fishing spots. Just be sure to check out Manitoba’s Fishing regulations before you head out, and make sure you pick up a Manitoba fishing license!
Your next Manitoba boating adventure awaits! Get your Canada Boating License and hit the water today.
Helpful resources for boaters in Manitoba
Lake Winnipeg, MB
Lake Manitoba, MB
Lac du Bonnet, MB
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