Can My Teenager Drive My Boat?
Your teen has been out boating with you all season and you think it’s time for them to take the wheel. Is that legal? Do they have to take a test? How does that work?
Answer to the first question: Yes, teenagers can drive a boat in Canada, but there are age-based restrictions on the type and power of the boat’s motor they can use without supervision.
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Do teens need to take a test to drive a boat?
Yes, teens need to take a test to drive a boat, just like they need to be tested to drive a car.
In Canada, all operators of motorized recreational boats, including teenagers, are legally required to carry proof of competency, most commonly the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), regardless of age or the size or power of the boat. The PCOC is often referred to as a boating license.
This federal requirement applies everywhere, except in Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and means that teens must have successfully obtained their PCOC. This card must be carried while operating a motorized vessel.
Can Canadian teens drive a boat on their own or do they need an adult on the boat with them?
Teens 16 years and older can operate boats with any horsepower rating without supervision.
Ages 12 to under 16: May operate a motorized boat unsupervised only if the motor is 40 horsepower (30 kW) or less.
Under 12 years old: May operate a motorized boat unsupervised only if the motor is 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or less.
Again, all operators, regardless of age, must carry proof of competency, typically the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Without this card, boat operators can face fines.
Should teens take hands-on boat training, too?
Yes, it’s definitely recommended that teen boat operators get hands-on practical training, especially when learning to drive independently or handle more powerful vessels. It will help build their boating skills, confidence, and safety awareness in ways online courses alone can’t give them.
Hands-on boating will give teens real-life boating experience. Immediate feedback from instructors helps teens correct mistakes and reinforces proper boating habits and etiquette.
Is it okay to teach my teen how to drive my boat?
It’s recommended that you personally teach your teen how to drive your boat, provided you follow Canadian boating laws and safety guidelines. You will give your teen hands-on boating experience and help them prepare to get their PCOC. If you’re not comfortable teaching your teen how to drive your boat, check your local marina for any hands-on courses.
Top tips for teen boat drivers
Never boat under the influence
It’s zero tolerance for alcohol and substance use while operating a vessel. Impairment is a leading cause of fatal boating accidents, especially among young men.
It is a criminal offense to operate a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Operating a boat while impaired is treated as seriously as drunk driving a car: fines, possible jail, and license suspensions will apply.
You may not drink alcohol on small recreational boats, such as canoes, fishing boats, runabouts, at any time.
Boat operators may never consume alcohol while operating a boat under any circumstance.
Alcohol may only be consumed by passengers onboard a boat in Canada if all of the following conditions are met:
- Permanent cooking facilities
- Permanent sleeping facilities
- Permanent Toilet
- Boat is anchored, moored, docked and not moving
Always wear a lifejacket or PFD
Make sure everyone onboard wears a properly fitted, Transport Canada-approved lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD), not just when required but at all times underway. Check your PFDs for fit, wear, and function before every boat outing.
Check the weather
Always check the weather forecast before heading out and stay alert for changing weather. Return to shore at the first sign of bad weather.
Know and follow the rules of the water
Learn right-of-way, navigation markers, boating signals, speed limits, and local bylaws.
Don’t boat alone
Bring a friend and make sure that someone knows your plans and when you will return to shore.
Play it safe
Avoid risky behavior including boating after dark or in unfamiliar waters. Slow down for oncoming wakes and waves because they can cause loss of control.
Operate your boat responsibly
Drive at safe speeds, especially near shorelines, docks, and in busy areas. Watch for other boats, swimmers, docks, and floating debris. Do not overload your boat.
To sum it all up
Proper training for teen boaters lowers the risk of accidents, both for the teenage boat operator and for other boaters.
5 boat FAQs
Can boat passengers drink alcohol if the boat operator does not?
No one, either the boat operator or passengers, may consume alcohol on any boat that is underway, meaning that the vessel is free and not secured to anything (anchor, dock, or bottom) and may or may not be moving.
Is driving a boat impaired like driving a car impaired?
Yes, driving a boat impaired is legally and practically equivalent to driving a car impaired by alcohol or drugs. Both activities are criminal offences in Canada. Impairment can be determined by breathalyzer or blood tests.
Why shouldn't a teen go boating alone?
Teens may not have the skills or confidence to manage unexpected situations like sudden weather changes, equipment failure, or medical emergencies without help nearby.
Why is speeding dangerous for a teen boat driver?
Speeding is dangerous for a teen boat driver because teens typically lack the experience and judgment needed to safely control a boat at high speeds. Similar to teen drivers on roads, teens boating at high speeds are more likely to lose control of the vessel and increase the risk of collisions or capsizing.
Should teens know how to swim to drive a boat?
It is recommended that teens know how to swim before driving a boat, but it is generally not a legal requirement in most places, including Canada. Swimming skills are an essential part of staying safe on the water and should be a priority for not only young boaters but all boaters.
