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VINAUDIT CANADA / BUYING & SELLING
Car Bill of Sale Template Canada: Free Sample & Provincial Requirements
A vehicle bill of sale records the agreement between a buyer and seller. Use the sample below to document a private vehicle sale, then check the forms and ownership-transfer requirements in your province or territory before completing the transaction.
WHAT TO WRITE DOWN
What should a car bill of sale include?
For a private vehicle sale in Canada, a bill of sale normally identifies the parties, vehicle and agreed price. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so official local forms take priority when they are required.
Vehicle and sale details
- Date and location of sale
- Year, make, model and VIN
- Agreed purchase price and payment details
- Odometer reading and its units, when applicable
Buyer and seller details
- Full legal names and addresses
- Signatures of all required buyers and sellers
- Any deposit, balance owing or special sale conditions
- Any agreed representations or warranties
A bill of sale is a useful record of the transaction, but signing it does not automatically complete registration or release a vehicle from a lien. Depending on the jurisdiction, you may also need signed registration papers, a transfer form, inspection documents and proof of insurance.
COPY OR PRINT
Sample vehicle bill of sale
This blank sample is intended for a private transaction. Both parties should complete the details accurately, sign the agreement and retain a copy. If your province or territory requires its own form, use that form for the official transfer.
Vehicle Bill of Sale
Private sale of a used motor vehicle
The seller agrees to sell, and the buyer agrees to purchase, the vehicle described above on the stated terms. Both parties confirm that the information recorded here is accurate to the best of their knowledge.
OFFICIAL CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS
Bill of sale and vehicle transfer rules by province or territory
Use the following government and public-insurer resources to confirm the paperwork for a private vehicle sale. The requirements differ by jurisdiction, especially for ownership transfer, registration, insurance and inspections.
| Province or territory | What to know and where to check |
|---|---|
| Alberta | A standard bill of sale is required for a private sale. It should identify both parties, the vehicle, purchase price and signatures. Alberta: standard bill of sale ↗ |
| British Columbia | ICBC requires the signed registration documents and Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T). A separate sales receipt does not replace them. ICBC: sell a used vehicle ↗ |
| Manitoba | Complete a signed bill of sale and Transfer of Ownership Document (TOD). The buyer also needs to meet inspection requirements for registration. MPI: buying and selling ↗ |
| New Brunswick | Transfer the signed registration certificate through Service New Brunswick and retain a bill of sale documenting the purchase, including for tax purposes. New Brunswick: registration transfer ↗ |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Use the bill-of-sale section on the registration document and submit the required Notice of Sale. Additional documentation may apply. NL: selling a vehicle ↗ |
| Nova Scotia | Complete the signed registration transfer and certificate-of-sale sections. Keep a written bill of sale with the purchase details. Nova Scotia: vehicle transfer ↗ |
| Ontario | A private seller generally provides the UVIP where required. The buyer needs a signed bill of sale with the transaction details for registration. Ontario: buy or sell a used vehicle ↗ |
| Prince Edward Island | The seller signs the vehicle permit. The buyer needs a bill of sale or receipt, insurance and other required transfer documents. PEI: transfer ownership ↗ |
| Québec | Transfer registration through the SAAQ or SAAQclic, if eligible. The SAAQ recommends making a written sales agreement. SAAQ: transfer between individuals ↗ |
| Saskatchewan | SGI offers a bill-of-sale form; the signed transfer section of the registration is also important when changing ownership. SGI: new and used vehicles ↗ |
| Northwest Territories | For registration or a used-vehicle ownership transfer, present a completed registration transfer or executed bill of sale. NWT: buying or selling ↗ |
| Nunavut | The government provides a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale form for private transactions; the buyer submits it as part of registering the vehicle. Nunavut: buying or selling ↗ |
| Yukon | Use a signed and dated bill of sale, with the previous registration and valid insurance when registering a used vehicle. Yukon: register a vehicle ↗ |
For dealer sales, out-of-province vehicles, gifts, estate transfers or special vehicle types, different requirements may apply. Confirm your specific transaction with the appropriate authority.
A PRIVATE SALE, STEP BY STEP
How to complete a vehicle sale and transfer ownership
- Check the seller and VIN. Verify the seller’s identity and authority to sell. Compare the VIN on the vehicle with the registration documents and bill of sale.
- Research the vehicle. Review available vehicle-history information, consider a pre-purchase inspection and check for outstanding liens before payment.
- Agree on the terms. Record the price, method of payment, deposit or balance owing, and any conditions the parties have accepted.
- Complete and sign the documents. Sign the bill of sale and the required provincial or territorial ownership-transfer forms. Keep signed copies for both parties.
- Register and insure the vehicle. The buyer should follow the local transfer deadline and registration requirements. The seller should make any required notification and address plates and insurance.
Notarization is not a universal requirement for ordinary private vehicle bills of sale in Canada. Certain transfers or supporting declarations may require a sworn statement, witness or additional authentication depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances.
BEFORE YOU SIGN
Checks that complement a bill of sale
Confirm vehicle history and registration
Compare the vehicle’s VIN and description with available records. A VIN history check can help you research reported vehicle-status, registration and other matching information.
Check for liens
Ask about financing or secured interests and obtain any required discharge documents. Read the Canadian lien-check guide and use the appropriate official registry when verification is needed.
Check theft records and inspect the vehicle
Use the CPIC stolen-vehicle search, compare vehicle identification markings and arrange a physical inspection before buying.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Canada?
Requirements vary by province or territory. Some jurisdictions require a bill of sale for a private sale or registration; others use a signed vehicle permit or transfer form. Consult the official requirements for the vehicle’s jurisdiction.
Can I write my own vehicle bill of sale?
In some jurisdictions, a written bill of sale containing the necessary information is acceptable. Others provide specific forms or require a bill of sale along with official transfer documents. Alberta and Manitoba publish guidance on required bill-of-sale details, while British Columbia requires ICBC’s Transfer/Tax Form.
Does a car bill of sale need to be notarized in Canada?
Not usually for an ordinary private vehicle sale, but requirements can differ for unusual transfers or declarations. Check with the local registration authority before signing.
Does a bill of sale transfer vehicle registration automatically?
No. A bill of sale documents the transaction, but the buyer generally must complete the prescribed ownership-transfer and registration process with the provincial or territorial authority.
Should a bill of sale include the VIN and odometer reading?
Include the full VIN and verify that it matches the vehicle and registration documents. An odometer reading and its units are useful for both parties and may be specifically required by local rules or forms.
Does a bill of sale prove there are no liens on the vehicle?
No. A signed agreement does not itself remove or conclusively rule out a secured interest. Confirm outstanding liens and obtain proof of discharge when applicable.
Do the buyer and seller both need a copy?
Both parties should retain a signed copy, along with the relevant registration transfer, payment confirmation and any other documents associated with the sale.
RESEARCH BEFORE YOU BUY
Check the vehicle before completing the sale
A bill of sale records the purchase. A vehicle-history check can help you understand the available records linked to the VIN before you commit.