First of all, the Canada boater exam® is a boating exam, not a replacement for a full boating education.  The Canadian boating exam® is what you will have to pass to obtain your Pleasure Craft Operators Card.

The Pleasure Craft Operators Card became mandatory as of September 15, 2009 for all motorized pleasure craft.

The was initiated to make sure all boaters have at least the bare minimum of safety education before heading out on the water.  Unlike driving a car, boaters in Canada have never had to pass a test or have a license to operate a boat.

While the Canada boater exam® will teach you the basics of safety and the basic navigational skills you will require, it certainly is not a replacement for a full boating course and practical experience from a knowledgeable boater.

It is easy to go out and buy a boat and head out on the water.  What is not so easy is learning the skills you may one day need in an emergent situation.  The $250 fine you could receive for not having your Pleasure Craft Operators Card is perhaps the least of your worries.   If you do not have the basic boating skills you or one of you passengers may well end up injured or worse, dead.

If you are a knowledgeable boater, by all means, take the simple online boaters exam® and have a wonderful summer on the water.

If you are a beginner boater, take the boater exam® and also enroll in a full boating course in your area.  The skills you will learn will serve you well and you will be confident when heading out on the water that you are prepared for most situations.

If you are going to take the boaters exam® online, make sure it is from a Transport Canada accredited site.  I got my Pleasure Craft Operators Card from Boater Exam®

If You Are Considering Taking Your Boater Exam® Online, Here Is What You Need To Know:

There several online sites where you can get the Pleasure Craft Operator Card.  However, not all of these sites are equal.

I spent considerable time surfing around and finding all the sites where I thought I could get my pleasure craft operating card.  Once I had a list of all the sites, I cross referenced them with the official Government of Canada approved sites.

What I found was a little surprising.  Here is what I discovered:

1. Not all the sites that claimed to be approved are actually approved
2. Some of the sites have had their rights removed by Transport Canada
3. Most sites offer the boater exam® for $49.95, but some charge as much as $74.95
4. Many sites only let you write the test once.  If you fail you have to pay to re-write.
5. Some sites are accepting credit card payment over a Non-Secured site (very dangerous)

After realizing that not all Pleasure Craft Operating Card examination sites are created equal, I decided to make a short list of the best ones.  That way I could recommend a good site when it came up in conversation with others.  Additionally, I wanted to make sure that when I paid my $50.00 I actually would receive my card once I passed the boaters exam®.

With no exception, the best site I found is Boater Exam®

- Boater Exam® charges $49.95

– Boater Exam® gives you a Free study guide

– Boater Exam® Gives you unlimited retries (One per 24 hour period)

– Boater Exam® lets you print a temporary Operators Card to use until the real one arrives in the mail

– Boaters Exam® uses a secure internet connection to accept payment

– Boater Exam® is a Canadian Company, based out of Ottawa, ONT.

– Boater Exam® is approved by the Better Business Bureau

If you spend a little time surfing around as I did, I am certain you will discover the same results; not all of the Pleasure Craft Operators Card testing sites are equal.  If you are looking for a no-hassle, reliable, and authorized site to take your boaters exam®, then hands down, I recommend Boater Exam® Good Luck on the test!