How old do you have to be to get a boating licence?
—Young and Restless
Anyone, at any age, can take the exam to get a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, which is the most common form of the “proof of competency” that Transport Canada requires from anyone operating recreational powered watercraft (no matter the engine size or the length of the boat). But even with a card, there are age restrictions on who can drive a motorized boat. Those under 12 can only operate a powerboat with 10 hp or less, and kids 12 to 15 can only operate a boat with a motor over 40 hp if they’re accompanied by someone 16 or older. For more information, contact Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety.
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