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Owning and operating a vehicle in Ontario comes with legal responsibilities, including registering your vehicle with the province. With over 10 million registered vehicles in Ontario as of 2021, vehicle registration is mandatory for driving on public roads and serves as proof of ownership in case of theft or accidents. It is important for buyers and sellers to know the registration process, including costs, required documents, insurance, and more.
Registering a vehicle in Ontario depends on whether it’s new or used or whether it’s from outside the province.
New cars: Dealerships usually handle registration, providing all necessary paperwork, license plates, and stickers.
Used cars purchased from a private seller require registration within six days of purchase. Dealerships may assist in registering a used car they have sold or the buyer may need to self-register.
Out-of-province vehicle (another province or outside Canada): Aside from personal identification, you will need: proof of Ontario car insurance, your new Ontario driver’s license (obtainable from any Drive Test office), vehicle registration, and title papers from your previous province, and Safety Standards Certificate.
Generally, here are the documents you must prepare as part of the registration process and to obtain a permit and license plate in Ontario:
- Your Ontario driver’s license or registrant identification number (RIN), if applicable.
- Proof of identity, including your legal name, date of birth, and signature.
- A completed used vehicle information package (required for passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, self-propelled motor homes, or motorcycles).
- Proof of purchase, such as a receipt or bill of sale from the seller.
- Proof of insurance from a licensed Ontario insurance provider.
- The original vehicle permit from the seller, completed with the transfer portion.
- The plate portion of the permit, if you already own license plates that you wish to use for the vehicle.
- Safety Standards Certificate (except for snowmobiles, mopeds, off-road vehicles, and trailers) from authorized inspection stations across Ontario.
In Ontario, the cost of registering a car varies depending on the region, vehicle type, and duration of registration. Below are the registration fees:
| Region | Vehicle Type | 1 Year | 2 Years |
| Southern Ontario | Car | $120 | $240 |
| Motorcycle | $42 | $84 | |
| Northern Ontario | Car | $60 | $120 |
| Motorcycle | $21 | $42 |
These fees cover the registration permit and license plate sticker for the specified duration.