Boat licensing

Why your boat needs a licence

Our precious 200 year old, 2,200 mile network of canal and river navigations takes a lot of care and maintenance to keep it in a condition for boaters and the public to continue using and enjoying through the decades. This currently costs in excess of £140 million each year. About half of this comes from taxpayers who are free to use the towpaths. We rely on boaters for £23 million p.a., which we raise through licence and mooring fees.

Parliament gave us powers to raise this income though a succession of primary and secondary legislation starting with the nationalisation of the canals in 1948.

This website aims to provide all the information that boaters need to fulfill licensing formalities with minimum fuss. It's a new site and if you have suggestions for improvements, please email us.