Buying a new or used vehicle is an exciting time. If it’s your first-ever vehicle, you’re getting that new sense of freedom you’ve dreamed of. If it’s replacing your old vehicle, you get the excitement of stepping into a new car and out of any of the issues your old vehicle had.
In both cases, you must endure the motor vehicle registration process. While there’s nothing overly scary or intimidating about motor vehicle registration in Canada, there is a lot of paperwork to work through, and it’s certainly not the most enjoyable part of the car-buying process.
Continue reading to learn more about motor vehicle registration in Canada and some of the specifics on each province.
What You Need for Motor Vehicle Registration
No matter where you live in Canada, you’ll need the following items to successfully complete the motor vehicle registration process and receive your vehicle registration certificate.
- A driver's licence
- Bill of sale signed by the buyer and seller
- Transfer of ownership document
- Certificate of title
- A safety inspection number or certificate, known by different names depending on the province
- Proof of insurance (sometimes referred to as a pink slip and possibly other insurance
- Licence plate number
- Other vehicle information, such as the odometer reading and VIN (vehicle identification number)
- Payment of sales tax, which varies by province (some offer sales tax exemptions for gifts between family members)
If you have unpaid fines or parking tickets, you’ll want to take care of those, as Ontario and almost all provinces require payment before allowing you to register a vehicle.
Vehicle Registration Requirements by Province
Each Canadian province has its own motor vehicle registration process, though there are similarities nationwide. Regardless of the nuances in the motor vehicle registration process, it is fairly straightforward. To help you, check out this provincial breakdown of everything you need to register your vehicle.
Note: Remember that you'll need all the required documents above to register a road vehicle in Canada. Any variations for each province will be listed below, if necessary.
Alberta
- Where to Register: Service Alberta
- Registration Fees: $84.45 for one year; $159.45 for two years
- How Long to Register After Purchase: 6 days for used vehicles; 14 days if using old plates on a new vehicle
- Sales Tax Rate: 5%
British Columbia
- Where to Register: Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
- Registration Fees: $18 registration fee; $46 to $142 licence fee, both renewable annually
- How Long to Register After Purchase: 30 days for used vehicles; 10 days if using old plates on a new car
- Sales Tax Rate: 12%
- Other Requirements: Buyer must have Transfer/Tax Form from Autoplan to complete registration (document given by owner); vehicle may have to pass an emissions test in Fraser Valley or Lower Mainland
Manitoba
- Where to Register: Manitoba Public Insurance
- Registration Fees: $129 per year
- How Long to Register After Purchase: 6 days
- Sales Tax Rate: 11%
- Other Requirements: New Vehicle Information Statement (if the vehicle is brand new), typically must purchase insurance from Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), and for cars manufactured before Sept. 1, 2007, the new owner must ensure a vehicle immobilizer is installed
New Brunswick
- Where to Register: Service New Brunswick
- Registration Fees: Done by weight and range from $61 to $189 with annual renewal
- How Long to Register After Purchase: 14 days
- Sales Tax Rate: 15%
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Where to Register: Digital Government and Service NL
- Registration Fees: $80 to $125 annually; $45 to $72 annually for seniors
- How Long to Register After Purchase: 10 days
- Sales Tax Rate: 15%
Nova Scotia
- Where to Register: Access Nova Scotia
- Registration Fees: $13.20 recording fee; $143.30 to $333.90 licence fee (renewable biannually)
- How Long to Register After Purchase: 30 days
- Sales Tax Rate: 15%
- Other Requirements/Notes: The bill of sale in Nova Scotia is referred to as the notice of sale
Ontario
- Where to Register: Service Ontario
- Registration Fees: $32 vehicle permit fee; $59 licence plate fee
- How Long to Register After Purchase: 6 days
- Tax Rate: 13%
- Other Requirements: Buyers must receive a Used Vehicle Identification Package (UVIP) from the seller, as this contains the information necessary to get the vehicle registered; a Safety Standards Certificate must be presented during registration
Prince Edward Island
- Where to Register: Access PEI
- Registration Fees: $100 annually
- How Long to Register After Purchase: 7 days
- Tax Rate: 15%
Quebec
- Where to Register: CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) Quebec
- Registration Fees: $232.74 (outside Montreal) to 277.74 (within Montreal) annually
- How Long to Register After Purchase: 30 days
- Tax Rate: 14.975%
- Other Requirements: The Canadian Automobile Association of Quebec recommends the buyer and seller sign a contract, although it isn't mandatory; sellers must also disclose all defects through the Warranty of Quality, and if they don't, the buyer has three years to settle the case in or out of court
Saskatchewan
- Where to Register: Saskatchewan Government Insurance
- Registration Fees: Registration fees in Saskatchewan vary by the year, make, and model of the vehicle
- How Long to Register After Purchase: 7 days
- Tax Rate: 11%
Regardless of province, once you've completed the registration process, you'll receive a registration sticker — also known as a decal — to put on your licence plate (or a new licence plate) and registration papers (vehicle permit). Some agencies provide these onsite, while others send them in the mail within five to 10 business days. Regardless of how you receive these documents, put them in your vehicle in case the police pull you over.
The registration of commercial vehicles may also have different requirements from province to province compared to passenger vehicles. Check with the appropriate agency to find out everything you need.
How To Renew Your Motor Vehicle Registration
Most provinces require a vehicle registration renewal either annually or biannually. However, this process is much less involved than the original motor vehicle registration process. In each province, car owners can now renew their registration online, as long as they don't have any changes to the registration. These changes may include a change of name or change of address.
Unless you must go in person to renew your registration, skip the line and use the online service. You only need personal and vehicle information and a debit or credit card (Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted options). Remember that each province may also have a window to renew your registration online before expiry. If you miss this window, you must renew in person.
And if you're forgetful, don't stress. Every province will send you a renewal notice in the mail so you have a few months to renew your registration online.
Plate Transfers and Personalized Plates
Unless you live in Newfoundland and Labrador, the idea is simple: licence plates always stay with the vehicle's seller. Newfoundland and Labrador reverse this idea, and the plates always stay with the vehicle.
Personalized licence plates are a fun way to go if you want to show off your style or set your vehicle apart from the pack. Each province offers plate customizations, allowing you to spell something out in letters or numbers that express your personality.
To obtain custom plates, you must complete a special form. After review, the Ministry of Transportation or a similar governmental organization decides whether to issue the plates based on them passing specific tests (no vulgarity, promotion of crime, etc.). Most personalized plates are renewable annually, regardless of the province.
Does Motor Vehicle Registration Sound Overwhelming? Let Clutch Help
Unless your dream growing up was to work at the Ministry of Transport of Ontario, motor vehicle registration isn't glamorous. But as a driver, keeping you legal, avoiding fines, and streamlining the car buying process is essential.
Keeping things simple makes Clutch a great ally for your next vehicle purchase. Not only do you get perks like a 210-point inspection, a fair value trade-in, and a 90-day, 60,000-km warranty, but you also get to skip the registration process. Instead, we'll do it for you. That's like jumping to the front of the line at Canada's Wonderland. The only thing left for you to do is pop the keys in the ignition and enjoy one of life's greatest pleasures: the freedom to go anywhere.
Disclaimer: Although this blog post touches on many of the points necessary to register a motor vehicle, review local regulations and laws before completing any transactions.
