How to register a used vehicle bought from a private seller in Ontario, Canada

Registering a privately purchased used vehicle in Ontario

There is no single federal process for transferring and licensing an ordinary used vehicle throughout Canada. Vehicle registration requirements are administered by the province or territory where the vehicle will be registered. For a private sale in Ontario, the buyer completes the ownership transfer through ServiceOntario.

The most important deadline is 6 days from the date of purchase. Within that period, the buyer must register their name as the vehicle's new owner.

Documents you need to transfer ownership

For a typical private purchase of a used passenger vehicle in Ontario, prepare your identification, proof of Ontario insurance, the original vehicle permit signed by the seller, the Used Vehicle Information Package when required, the bill of sale and the applicable safety documentation.

Bill of sale requirements

The buyer should receive a signed and dated bill of sale. Ontario's official used-vehicle guidance requires the bill of sale to identify the seller and buyer and show the date and purchase price. The bill of sale section included in the UVIP can be used.

Ontario states that a photocopy or facsimile of a bill of sale is accepted only in specified circumstances, including when the original is viewed and photocopied at a ServiceOntario centre, when the original and photocopy are both presented there, or when a facsimile is sent directly from the seller to the ServiceOntario centre.

Used Vehicle Information Package

For vehicles covered by the UVIP requirement, the private seller is legally required to provide the package to the buyer. A buyer may also purchase the UVIP before the sale or when registering the transfer.

The UVIP includes vehicle details, Ontario registration history, lien information, vehicle status, wholesale value information used for Retail Sales Tax purposes and a bill of sale section. It costs $20 if ordered separately. An online order is sent within 5 business days and may take up to 10 days for delivery. A UVIP purchased at a ServiceOntario centre can be issued the same day.

A UVIP is not required for every transaction or vehicle. Ontario lists exemptions including certain family transfers, purchases from registered used vehicle dealers, vehicles previously bought or sold outside Ontario and certain vehicle classes such as heavy trucks weighing 2,200 kg or more, mopeds and motorized snow vehicles.

Insurance required before registration and licensing

You must have insurance for the vehicle before registering it for normal road use. Ontario requires vehicle insurance from a private insurer, and proof of insurance must be presented for registration. Ontario law requires at least $200,000 in third-party liability coverage for vehicles driven on Ontario roads.

Do you need a Safety Standards Certificate?

A Safety Standards Certificate confirms that the vehicle met Ontario's minimum safety standards on the date of inspection. It is not a warranty of the vehicle's condition.

A vehicle that requires a Safety Standards Certificate must pass an inspection at a DriveON vehicle inspection centre licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. The certificate is valid for 36 calendar days after the inspection. Inspection prices vary by inspection centre because Ontario does not regulate the amount charged.

Ontario permits a vehicle to be purchased and registered without a Safety Standards Certificate in some circumstances, but licence plates cannot be attached for normal road use when a required safety certificate has not been provided. The registration rules specifically exempt trailers, mopeds, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles from the standard Safety Standards Certificate requirement described for vehicle registration.

How much does it cost to register a privately bought used vehicle?

The standard Ontario vehicle permit fee is $32. If you need a new or replacement licence plate, the licence plate with permit costs $59. Different fees apply to some vehicle classes.

If you already own Ontario licence plates that you want to use on the newly purchased vehicle, bring the plate portion of your existing vehicle permit to ServiceOntario. Ontario plates generally stay with the plate owner rather than with a vehicle when it is sold.

Ontario sales tax on a private used vehicle purchase

The buyer generally pays 13% Ontario Retail Sales Tax when registering a specified vehicle purchased privately from a person in Canada who is not a GST or HST registrant. The tax is paid to ServiceOntario, not to the private seller.

For an automobile, van or truck with an empty weight of 2,200 kg or less bought privately within Ontario, the taxable value is generally the higher of the stated purchase price or the applicable Canadian Red Book wholesale value. Ontario provides special rules and exemptions for certain transactions, including qualifying family gifts and other specified circumstances.

Where to register the vehicle

The ownership transfer for a private Ontario vehicle purchase is completed at a ServiceOntario centre. You may be able to book an appointment for your visit. Although some supporting services, such as ordering a UVIP, are available online, the standard private-sale vehicle ownership transfer itself requires a ServiceOntario visit.

How long does the transfer take?

You must complete the ownership registration within 6 days after buying the vehicle. If your documents, insurance and required safety certification are in order, Ontario states that standard vehicle permits and licence plates are issued immediately at the ServiceOntario centre.

What happens after registration?

After ServiceOntario completes the transfer, the vehicle permit identifies you as the registered owner. If the vehicle meets all applicable insurance, safety and registration requirements, your existing eligible plates can be attached or new plates can be issued.

Passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds may qualify for Ontario's automatic licence plate renewal system when the applicable conditions are met, including valid insurance and no outstanding fines, fees or tolls that prevent renewal.

What if the vehicle does not yet have a safety certificate?

Ontario provides a temporary licence plate sticker for eligible vehicles that need short-term road use while requirements such as a Safety Standards Certificate are being completed. The temporary sticker is valid for 10 days from the date of issue, costs $15 and must be obtained at ServiceOntario. Eligibility conditions apply, including vehicle permit status and proof of insurance, and Ontario limits temporary stickers to two per vehicle identification number and registrant identification number combination within a 365-day period.

Vehicles 20 years old or older

Additional valuation requirements can apply to older vehicles. Ontario's vehicle registration guidance states that a vehicle that is 20 years old or older may require an appraisal, while its private-sale guidance states that an appraisal is required for applicable vehicles 20 years old or older for tax purposes. Check the current ServiceOntario and Ministry of Finance requirements for the specific vehicle before attempting the transfer.

Buying a vehicle privately in another Canadian province

If you buy the vehicle privately in another province or territory but intend to register it in Ontario, additional rules can apply. Ontario generally charges 13% Retail Sales Tax on the purchase price of a specified vehicle bought privately elsewhere in Canada and brought or delivered into Ontario, subject to the applicable exemptions and special valuation rules. Registration requirements may also differ from those for an Ontario-to-Ontario private sale.