Boat Registration Numbers
Ontario & Canada
Transport Canada Compliant.

What Is a Compliance Label Number on a Boat?

A compliance label number on a boat is the unique identifier assigned by Transport Canada when you license your pleasure craft. This number — formally called the Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) number — follows the format CA-XXXXXXXX (or the older ON#### format for pre-2010 licences) and must be permanently displayed on both sides of the bow above the waterline.

The compliance label number serves multiple purposes: it links your vessel to Transport Canada's registry for safety recalls and stolen vessel tracking, it identifies you during Coast Guard boardings and marine emergencies, and it proves you've met the federal licensing requirement under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. Without a properly displayed compliance label number, your boat is not legally compliant for operation in Canadian waters.

Where to Find Your Compliance Label Number

Your compliance label number appears on your Pleasure Craft Licence document issued by Transport Canada. If you licensed your boat online through the Transport Canada Vessel Registration Portal, the number appears on your digital licence confirmation. For boats licensed before the 2025 renewal mandate (SOR/2025-272), the number may also be on the original paper licence card.

If you've lost your licence document, you can retrieve your compliance label number through Transport Canada's online portal or by calling the Pleasure Craft Electronic Licensing System at 1-800-267-6687. You'll need your hull identification number (HIN) and proof of ownership to recover it.

Compliance Label Number Display Requirements

Under the Small Vessel Regulations (SOR/2010-91), your compliance label number must meet these specific requirements:

• Size: Minimum 76mm (3 inches) in height — about the height of a credit card
• Style: Block characters (no script or decorative fonts)
• Colour: Must contrast with the hull — dark numbers on a light hull, light numbers on a dark hull
• Placement: Both sides of the bow, above the waterline, clearly visible
• Permanence: Must be permanently affixed — painted, applied as vinyl decals, or engraved
• Readability: Must be legible from 100 metres in daylight conditions

Compliance Label Number vs. Registration Number

Many boat owners confuse these two different identification systems. The compliance label number (PCL number) is for non-commercial pleasure craft and is obtained through free licensing with Transport Canada. The registration number (official number) is for commercial vessels, vessels over 15 gross tons, or vessels with a marine mortgage — registration involves a fee and a more detailed process through the Canadian Register of Vessels.

Both systems require permanent hull markings, but the display specifications differ. Licensed vessels display the PCL number on both bow sides. Registered vessels must display the official number on the interior of the hull and the vessel name and port of registry on the exterior stern. If your vessel is registered (not just licensed), you need both sets of markings.

Penalties for Missing or Non-Compliant Numbers

Operating without a properly displayed compliance label number is an offence under the Canada Shipping Act. During a Transport Canada inspection or RCMP marine unit boarding, officers check the compliance label number first. Penalties include fines of $250 to $5,000 for individuals, and officers may order your vessel to return to shore until markings are corrected. The 2026 PCL renewal wave means millions of boats need updated compliance label numbers — don't wait until launch season.