License your boat | Canal & River Trust
License your boat
From narrowboats to barges, canoes to large river cruisers, you need to license your boat if you want to keep and use it on our canals and rivers.
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What types of boats need a licence?
All types and sizes of boats with or without a motor need a licence. Motorised boats include riverboats, canal boats and houseboats.
All portable, unpowered craft (those without motors), such as canoes, kayaks, dinghies, rowing boats, paddleboards and even light inflatable craft, also require licensing. Further information on unpowered craft can be found in our
paddle sports section
Before you purchase a licence
Please note that the licences we offer are only valid for the Canal & River Trust network, with the exception of the gold licence.
Before you purchase anything, check whether you'll be boating along any of our 96 canals and navigable rivers through our
interactive map
What type of licence do I need?
First of all, you need to decide whether you need a business or private licence.
If you use your boat for any kind of business, such as a floating café or shop, rent it out for people to live on, or use it as a holiday boat, you'll need a
business licence
If the boat is purely for your own private use, there are three choices for a private boat licence.
Long-term licences
You can buy your long-term licence at any time of the year. They start on the first day of the month and last for either three months, six months or 12 months.
Please be aware that you can only buy a three-month licence if you have a home mooring.
Long-term boat licences
More information about what a long-term boat licence includes, costs, and how to buy or renew one
Short-term visitor licences
You can buy a short-term licence at any point of the year. They're valid for one week or one month.
Our 30-day 'Explorers' visitor licence gives you up to 30 days' use, which you can use at any time within 12 months of issue. The days do not need to be consecutive.
Short-term visitor licences
More information on short-term and visitor licences, costs, and how to buy or renew one
Gold licences
If you regularly use both our waterways and those owned by the Environment Agency (EA), you can save money on your boat licence by having a combined gold licence.
All gold licences run from 1 January and expire on 31 December.
If you have not previously held a gold licence, you may be eligible for a part-year licence.
Gold licences
More information gold licences, costs, and how to buy or renew one
Please read our
terms & conditions
for further information regarding all of our private licence options.
Boating elsewhere?
Different navigation authorities have different licences and fees. If you're not boating on our network, you'll need to contact the relevant authority:
The
Environment Agency
(EA) looks after the River Thames, the River Medway and rivers in East Anglia
The
Broads Authority
looks after the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads
For Scottish waterways, visit
Scottish canals
See the
Inland Waterways Association's waterway pages
for any other navigation authorities
Do it all online
Our online portal is a quick and easy way to manage your boat licence, update your contact details or tell us that you've sold your boat
Calculate your licence fee
If you already know what kind of licence you need, use our online calculator to find your licence price
Boat Licensing, Compliance & Enforcement Team
Our team is here to help you with any licence queries
Other information
Boat insurance
Make sure you have the appropriate insurance before licensing your boat
Boat insurance
Make sure you have the appropriate insurance before licensing your boat
Boat Safety Scheme certificate
Before you buy a boat licence, you'll need a valid BSS certificate or exemption
Boat Safety Scheme certificate
Before you buy a boat licence, you'll need a valid BSS certificate or exemption
Licensing FAQs
We've questions we get asked by boaters, new and experienced
Licensing FAQs
We've questions we get asked by boaters, new and experienced
FAQs on boat licence changes
All you need to know about the new considerations you’ll need to take in to account when buying or renewing your licence
FAQs on boat licence changes
All you need to know about the new considerations you’ll need to take in to account when buying or renewing your licence
Boater Report 2024
An overview of how we generate income and how the money is invested in the network for boaters
Last Edited: 2 May 2025
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