A bill of sale is a legal document that records the sale of a vehicle between a buyer and seller. In most Canadian provinces and territories, it is required to transfer ownership, register the vehicle, and calculate applicable taxes.
What Is a Bill of Sale for a vehicle in Canada?
A bill of sale is a written record of a vehicle transaction between a private seller and a buyer. It serves as proof of purchase and may be required when registering the vehicle with your provincial or territorial licensing authority.
A bill of sale typically includes:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Vehicle make, model, and year
- Purchase price
- Date of sale
- Seller information and signature
- Buyer information and signature
Is a Bill of Sale Required in Canada?
In most provinces and territories, yes.
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Generally required:
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- New Brunswick
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
-
Recommended but not always required:
- Quebec
- Nova Scotia
-
Not generally required for ownership transfer:
- British Columbia
Requirements may change over time. Always verify current registration requirements with your provincial or territorial licensing authority.
Why Is a Bill of Sale Important?
A bill of sale helps:
Transfer Ownership
It documents the legal transfer of a vehicle from the seller to the buyer.
Register the Vehicle
Most provinces require a bill of sale when registering a privately purchased vehicle.
Calculate Taxes
The purchase price listed on the bill of sale may be used to determine applicable provincial sales taxes.
Protect Buyers and Sellers
A bill of sale creates a record of the transaction and may help resolve future ownership disputes.
What Information Should Be Included?
A vehicle bill of sale should generally include:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Vehicle description (make, model, year, colour, mileage)
- Purchase price
- Sale date
- Seller name, address, and signature
- Buyer name, address, and signature
Both parties should review the information carefully before signing.
Private Sale vs. Dealership Purchase
Requirements differ depending on whether you purchase from a private seller or a licensed dealership.
When buying from a private seller, additional documentation may be required depending on your province, such as:
- Vehicle registration documents
- Safety certificates
- Vehicle history reports
- Provincial ownership transfer forms
Licensed dealerships typically manage much of the paperwork on behalf of the buyer.
Registering a Vehicle
Registration requirements vary by province and territory. Buyers may need additional documents such as:
- Proof of insurance
- Vehicle registration
- Safety inspection certificates
- Ownership transfer forms
- Government-issued identification
Always check with your local vehicle registration authority for current requirements.
Buying or Selling a Vehicle on Kijiji
Whether you’re buying or selling a used vehicle, keeping transactions local, verifying ownership documents, and using a properly completed bill of sale can help make the process safer and smoother.