Apply for a Permit
New and Existing Permit Holders
The Permit Office is located at the Outer Harbour Marina and opens in May for the upcoming boating season with in-person courses scheduled May through to October.
For new permit applicants, you can call the Permit Office (Tel: 416-778-1230) to schedule a testing appointment. Appointments are available on Thursdays until October. During the early part of the summer, Fridays and Saturdays are also available. Those testing on Saturdays must pay when scheduling their appointment.
The fee for new applicants is $30 which also includes your first year.
Those applicants from 2020 and 2021 completing their in-person test, you are just responsible for your annual renewal fee ($20 / year).
Once you have booked your testing appointment, you will be sent a confirmation email which will also include your study materials, the Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide and the Practises and Procedures of the Toronto Port Authority.
The in-person test is a 2 hour test
- a 45 minute lecture
- a short multi-choice question quiz
- then a practical test where we provide a small Boston Whaler to ensure that you understand and can perform the man-overboard rescue situation.
The lecture and test will be based primarily on the lecture with materials from the Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide and the Practises and Procedures of the Toronto Port Authority.
Here are a number of things to remember please:
- you must bring your PCOC (Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card)
- in-person testing is held at the Outer Harbour Marina, 475 Unwin Ave (bottom of Leslie St)
- the nearest TTC bus stop is a good 20-25 min walk to the Outer Harbour Marina
- turn left just before the Security Gatehouse and park in one of the available spaces
- the testing location is the office trailer on the left
- in-person testing is rain or shine (if raining, bring a jacket)
- if you are feeling unwell, please stay home
- please arrive 15 min early to check in (testing will start on time)
For more information or assistance, please contact the Permit Office at 416-778-1230. Office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit
All Recreational boaters operating a powered vessel within the Port and Harbour of Toronto must be in possession of BOTH a Powered Vessel Operator’s permit and a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
The Pleasure Craft Operator Card is issued by Transport Canada for all Canadian waterways. You can find additional information about the Card on Transport Canada’s website.
The Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit is issued by the Toronto Port Authority. You can renew for your Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit online or download an application if it’s your first time applying.
Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit Programs
There are two types of Powered Vessel Operator’s Permits; Visitor’s Permit & Full Permits.
- VISITOR POWERED VESSEL OPERATOR’S PERMIT
Each Visitors Permit is valid for 14 consecutive days only at a cost of $20.
- FULL POWERED VESSEL OPERATOR’S PERMIT
All Full Permits are valid until December 31st, of the given year and must be renewed on an annual basis at a cost of $20. To obtain this permit you must person take a written and practical test.
If you require more information regarding our permits, please call our permit office at 416-778-1230 (Monday to Friday, between 8am and 4pm)
First-Time Applicants
If it is your first time applying for a Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit (or your permit has expired or been suspended) you will need to call 416-778-1230 and provide your full name, address, telephone number, birth date and provide payment over the phone using a VISA or MasterCard
OR
Download an application form; email to [email protected], mail it along with your payment to the Permit Office OR drop it off in person.
If you are mailing your application, enclose a cheque or money order in the amount of $30.00 payable to the “Toronto Port Authority”. Please do not send cash in the mail. This fee covers the information materials for test preparation, testing, and (upon passing) the Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit until December 31st of that given year.
You will have to contact the Permit Office to schedule an appointment for testing.
Want to apply in person?
The Permit Office is located at:
Outer Harbour Marina
475 Unwin Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
M4M 3M2
Tel: 416-778-1230
From May to October: visit the Permit Office, Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.
From November to April: contact the Office via e-mail at [email protected] or at 416-778-1230.
Payment can be made with VISA, MasterCard, debit, cash or cheque. (debit or cash in person ONLY)
Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit Information
The Toronto Port Authority’s Practices and Procedures require that “No person shall operate a powered vessel within the Port and Harbour of Toronto unless authorized to do so.” Acquiring such permit (also known as a harbour licence) comprises of 2 parts:
- to obtain a 30-day Learners Temporary Permit, then
- take a written and practical test to obtain the Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit within the 30-day expiry of the Learners Temporary Permit.
Powered Vessel Operator’s Permits are granted to persons 14 years and older, and are for 1 or 2 year duration, all permits expire December 31st of the given year.
(i) Learner’s Temporary Permit
Note: Holders of a Learner’s Temporary Permit MUST be accompanied by a holder of Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit whenever operating a vessel in Toronto waters.
Written application can be made to the Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit office at 475 Unwin Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4M 3M2 (Tel: 416-778-1230) providing full name, address, telephone number, birth date, height and gender. Enclose a cheque or money order in the amount of $30.00 payable to the “Toronto Port Authority”. This covers the information materials for test preparation, testing, and (upon passing your test) your first permit expiring on December 31 of that given year.
or
Application can be made in person at the Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit office or by calling the Permit Office at 416-778-1230.
From May to August please visit the permit office at the Outer Harbour Marina, 475 Unwin Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4M 3M2 (Tel: 416-778-1230) on Mondays – Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
From September to October the permit office at the Outer Harbour Marina will be operating on a reduced hours schedule. It is suggested that you call the office Monday to Friday prior to visiting the office in person.
From November to April please contact the office via e-mail at [email protected] or at 416-778-1230.
Payments can be made using VISA, MasterCard, debit, cash or cheque. (Cash or debit in-person ONLY)
(ii) Testing
Powered Vessel Operator’s Permits are issued subject to the passing of written (multiple choice) and practical tests within the 30-day term of the Temporary Permit. Tests are typically conducted on Thursdays commencing in early May through late September from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment only – arranged through the permit office.
If the Temporary Permit expires before passing the test, another Temporary Permit must be obtained at a further $5.00. The testing office is located at 475 Unwin Ave. (Outer Harbour Marina).
A $25.00 re-examination fee is required each time the test is taken. When the temporary permit is endorsed by the examiner, a permanent permit is mailed to the applicant.
Failure to renew a permit prohibits the operator from navigating a powered vessel in the Port and Harbour of Toronto. If you fail to renew your permit for 1 to 2 consecutive years, the permit may be reinstated by the payment of the fee for the outstanding year(s) plus the current year. If 3 consecutive years are missed, the operator will be required to retake the test but will not be required to pay for missed year(s). All fees and charges would apply as for a first time applicant.
Offsite Testing
Special arrangements can be made through the permit office for group instruction and/or testing. Applicants (clubs, marinas, groups, etc.) are responsible for obtaining their Temporary Permits not less than 2 weeks prior to the test date and may co-ordinate same into a single batch if required.