Where is the hull serial number (HIN) marked on a boat?
PCOC Boating Test overview
PCOC Boating Test: Licences, compliance notices and hull numbers
Pleasure craft licence rules (10 hp threshold, 5-year validity, 30-day deadlines, marking the bow), registration, compliance notices and safe limits, hull serial numbers and buying or building a boat.
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- Every answer explained
- Independent · not a government site
- 18 questions
- Topic drill
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Study reference: Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026), Ch. Getting started — Construction requirements, buying a boat, licensing and registration, pp. 6–11
All 18 questions in this test
Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.
Where is the hull serial number (HIN) marked on a boat?
- Upper starboard corner of the transom
- On the engine mounting bracket
- Inside the console near the helm
- Lower port side of the bow
Above what total engine power must a pleasure craft be licensed, unless it is registered?
- 10 hp (7.5 kW) or more
- 25 hp (18.5 kW) or more
- 5 hp (3.7 kW) or more
- 40 hp (30 kW) or more
Where must the pleasure craft licence number be displayed on the boat?
- Both sides of the bow, above the waterline
- On the transom, just below the boat's name
- On one side of the hull only
- On the stern, near the motor
Where is the Canadian compliance notice attached on a motorized pleasure craft under 24 m?
- At the helm, where it can be seen
- Under the bow seat cushion
- On the trailer tongue
- Inside the engine compartment
Which statement about a pleasure craft licence is true?
- It replaces the operator card
- It is not proof of ownership
- It is issued at Service Canada counters
- It must be renewed every year
You buy a used boat with a 25 hp outboard that you will keep and use in Canada. What does it need?
- A pleasure craft licence
- Only a hull serial number
- Nothing; under 50 hp is exempt
- A provincial boat permit
You just bought a licensed boat from its previous owner. How long do you have to transfer the licence into your name?
- 7 days
- 60 days
- 30 days
- 90 days
How long is a pleasure craft licence valid if you keep your information up to date?
- For life
- 1 year
- 5 years
- 10 years
Which document proves legal ownership of a boat and gives it the right to fly the Canadian flag?
- Pleasure Craft Operator Card
- Pleasure craft licence
- Compliance notice
- Vessel registration
You tow a small dinghy with a 15 hp motor behind your cruiser. Does the dinghy need its own licence?
- No, tenders are always exempt
- Only if it is used after dark
- No, the cruiser's licence covers it
- Yes, tenders with 10 hp or more need one
What is the fine, before provincial surcharges, for operating a pleasure craft that is not licensed or registered when it should be?
- $250
- $100
- $500
- $1,000
Which pleasure craft must carry a hull serial number?
- Only boats built after 2010
- Those made or imported after April 29, 1981
- Only boats longer than 6 m
- Only boats with motors over 10 hp
You apply for a pleasure craft licence online. What lets you go boating while you wait for the licence?
- The application receipt, for 90 days
- A temporary licence valid for 30 days
- Your operator card instead
- Nothing; you must wait
The compliance notice on your 5 m boat shows recommended safe limits. When do those limits apply?
- Only on inland lakes
- In good sea and weather conditions
- Only when the boat is at anchor
- In any weather, day or night
You build a boat in your garage for your own use, not for sale. What applies?
- It needs a compliance notice
- It must still meet construction standards
- It is exempt from all standards
- It needs a manufacturer's ID code
Your 5.5 m outboard boat's compliance notice allows 6 people or 450 kg. Five adults weighing 470 kg in total want to go. What should you do?
- Go ahead, you are under 6 people
- Reduce the load; you are over capacity
- Go ahead if the water is calm
- Add one more person to balance it
Before buying a used boat privately, what check does the guide recommend to avoid buying a stolen boat?
- Check the seller's insurance policy
- Ask Service Canada for its history
- Call the Canadian Coast Guard
- Search the CPIC stolen boat database
What is the minimum height of the characters in a licence number on the bow?
- 15 cm (6 in)
- 5 cm (2 in)
- 7.5 cm (3 in)
- 10 cm (4 in)
Licences, compliance notices and hull numbers: key rules to remember
Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗
Construction requirements and compliance notices
- Small vessels with (or designed for) a motor must meet Part 7 of the Small Vessel Regulations and TP 1332E construction standards.
- A compliance notice is required on pleasure craft under 24 m that have, or are designed to have, a motor; attached to the helm where it can be seen.
- If you bought the boat in Canada it must have a Canadian compliance notice (other notices may also be attached).
- Notices on boats up to 6 m (19'8") show recommended maximum safe limits: motor size (outboard boats only), number of people, total weight.
- The craft is at capacity at the maximum number of people OR the maximum weight, whichever comes first.
Compliance notices and hull serial numbers
- Safe limits apply only in good sea and weather conditions; reduce them in adverse conditions.
- Fines for removing or changing a notice or attaching one with false information.
- Built after April 29, 2010: the manufacturer/importer must provide a missing notice. Built before: ask; no fine if it can't be obtained; get a naval architect assessment for safe limits.
- Hull serial number (HIN) required on pleasure craft made or imported into Canada after April 29, 1981, with or without motors.
- HIN: on the outside upper starboard (right) corner of the transom, or as close as possible; 12 characters; each at least 6 mm (1/4") high and wide.
HIN formats and buying a boat
- Optional 2-letter country code before the HIN (e.g. CA-); not part of the HIN.
- Before buying, search the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) stolen boat database; possessing a boat obtained by crime is illegal.
- New boat: check for HIN, Canadian compliance notice and declaration of conformity.
- Used boat: hire a marine surveyor to check it met the requirements that applied when built.
Building a boat; licensing
- A trailer is considered a motor vehicle: provincial/territorial requirements.
- Building to sell: manufacturer's identification code (MIC), declaration of conformity, compliance notice, HIN.
- Building for personal use: no compliance notice or HIN needed, but the boat must still meet construction requirements.
- A Canadian pleasure craft can be licensed or registered, not both.
- Pleasure Craft Licence required for pleasure craft mainly kept and operated in Canada with engines totalling 7.5 kW (10 hp) or more, unless registered; includes dinghies/tenders carried or towed, and wind-powered pleasure craft over 6 m.
- Licence is not proof of ownership; carry it on board; number marked on both sides of the bow.
- Valid 5 years if contact information is kept current and changes to the boat are reported.
Licence deadlines, fines and marking
- 30 days to: get a licence number, transfer a licence into your name, report changes to contact info or boat description.
- Fine $250 plus provincial surcharges: no valid licence/not registered, or licence not on board.
- Applying online gives a temporary licence valid 30 days; keep it on board.
- Updating information or cancelling a licence is free.
- Number displayed on both sides of the bow, above the waterline, as far forward as practical, easy to see; block letters at least 7.5 cm (3") high, contrasting colour.
Vessel registration
- Registration gives proof of ownership (legal title), the right to fly the Canadian flag, a unique name and official number, and use as security for a marine mortgage.
- Good idea for boats going outside Canada (proof of ownership at the border).
Study the Licences, compliance notices and hull numbers rules as flashcards →
Other topics
- Proof of competency and age limitsWho needs a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, the other accepted proofs of competency, the rental boat checklist, replacing a lost card, the horsepower limits for operators under 16 and which documents to carry.
- Lifejackets and PFDsLifejacket types and sizes, how PFDs differ, inflatable PFD restrictions, fitting children, checking and caring for flotation devices, heaving lines, lifebuoys and reboarding devices.
- Required safety equipment by boat lengthMinimum equipment by boat type and length, how length is measured, the notes on flares, reboarding devices, compasses and radar reflectors, manual propelling devices, anchors, bailers and sound-signalling devices.
- Flares and visual distress signalsRocket parachute, multi-star, hand and smoke flares, their heights and burn times, expiry and storage, electronic visual distress signals, disposing of old flares and other recognized distress signals.
- Fire, fuelling and carbon monoxideFire classes and extinguisher ratings, monthly checks, fighting a fire on board, the fuelling procedure and 4-minute blower rule, carbon monoxide, heavier-than-air vapours and ignition protection.
- Trip planning, weather and loadingSeaworthiness and the pre-departure check, marine forecasts and wind warnings, sail plans, charts and publications, local hazards, loading your boat and the free courtesy check.
- Rules of the road (Collision Regulations)Lookout, safe speed and risk of collision, head-on, crossing and overtaking situations, give-way and stand-on duties, which vessels keep clear of which, narrow channels and restricted visibility.
- Sound signalsShort and prolonged blasts, manoeuvring signals (one, two, three and five blasts), the bend signal, fog signals by vessel type, the Great Lakes difference and required sound appliances.
- Navigation lights and shapesMasthead, side, stern and all-round lights and their arcs, light options for power boats, sailboats and paddle craft, anchor lights and the anchor ball, the motor-sailing cone and towing lights.
- Lateral buoys and daybeaconsPort and starboard hand buoys and the upstream rule, bifurcation, fairway and isolated danger buoys, and port, starboard and junction daybeacons.
- Cardinal and special buoysCardinal buoy colours, topmarks and lights, and the special buoys: cautionary, anchorage, information, hazard, keep out, scientific (ODAS), diving, mooring, control and swimming.
- Buoy numbers, tops, lights and markingsHow buoys are classified, odd and even numbers, flat and conical tops, light and reflector colours, the PRIV marking and how to recognise hazard, keep out, control, mooring and swimming buoys.
- Speed, wake, noise and local restrictionsChoosing a safe speed, wake damage, the muffler rule, the 10 km/h shoreline limit and its exceptions, Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations signs, and rules around marine mammals.
- Sharing the water and local hazardsLarge ships and their blind spots, tugs and tows, diver flags, seaplanes, low-head dams, power lines, historic canal rules, passing through a lock and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
- PWC, towing and paddlingPersonal watercraft age and handling rules, towing water-skiers and tubers (spotter, seats, sunset limit), stand-up paddleboard leashes and safety tips for paddlers, hunters and anglers.
- Impaired boating, fines and visitorsImpaired boating under the Criminal Code, the 2-hour rule, penalties, common contravention fines, who enforces boating laws, provinces without ticketing, and rules for non-resident boaters.
- Marine radio and distress callsVHF channels 16, 68 and 70, DSC and MMSI numbers, the operator certificate, cell phones and beacons, Mayday, Pan-Pan and Sécurité calls, false alerts and the duty to help.
- Person overboard and cold waterRecovering a person overboard, the Anderson and Williamson turns, reboarding, the 1-10-1 principle, signs of hypothermia, and the H.E.L.P. and huddle positions.
- Protecting the waterClean, drain and dry against invasive species, sewage rules (holding tanks, Ontario's ban on discharge and portable toilets), bilge pollution, green boating habits and reporting pollution or suspicious activity.