Ontario, Canada — Car

Ontario Car Bill of Sale

What you need to complete a lawful private car sale in Ontario — UVIP, 13% RST, 6-day registration deadline, Safety Standards Certificate, and bill of sale contents.

Pricing is in US dollars.

To generate your Ontario car bill of sale, open the generator and enter province code ON in the state/province field.

Create Car Bill of Sale Full Ontario Guide

UVIP Requirement for Car Sales

Cars are subject to the UVIP requirement under the Highway Traffic Act.

$20, paid by Visa or Mastercard. Can be ordered online at ontario.ca (sent within 5 business days of online purchase, allow up to 10 days total for delivery) or purchased in person at any ServiceOntario centre (issued the same day). To order, the applicant must provide the VIN or licence plate number and their Ontario driver's licence number or registrant identification number (RIN) or name and address.

Seller Checklist

1. Obtain and provide the UVIP to the buyer ($20 from ServiceOntario).
2. Complete and sign the bill of sale (the UVIP includes a bill of sale section, or use a separate document).
3. Remove your licence plates — plates stay with the seller in Ontario.
4. Give the buyer the vehicle portion of the ownership permit with the Application for Transfer completed on the back.

What the Bill of Sale Must Include

Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Make, year, and power source (gas, diesel, electric)
Body type, colour, and model (if available)
Purchase price, including taxes collected and HST/GST number if applicable (the HST/GST number applies to dealer sales only; private sellers do not have one)
Name, address, and signature of the seller (current owner, dealer, or leasing company)
Name, address, and signature of the buyer (ontario.ca: the bill of sale must be signed and dated by both the buyer and seller)
Sale or purchase date

Sales Tax

In most cases, the buyer pays 13% Retail Sales Tax (RST) — not HST — on private used-vehicle sales in Ontario. RST is paid at the time of registration (not to the seller directly). The taxable amount is the higher of the actual purchase price or the vehicle's Canadian Red Book wholesale value. If the buyer paid less than the Canadian Red Book value, the buyer may obtain an independent appraisal before transfer; tax then applies to the higher of the purchase price and the appraised value. Vehicles 20 years old or older require an appraisal. RST exemptions include: family-gift transfers accompanied by the Sworn Statement for a Family Gift, qualifying diplomats, and Status Indians. The applicable legislation is the Retail Sales Tax Act (the specific section number could not be independently confirmed from a readable official source); see also ServiceOntario, 'Buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario'.

Licence Plates

Licence plates stay with the seller — in Ontario, plates travel with the driver, not the vehicle. At sale, the seller removes the plates from the vehicle and keeps the plate portion of the ownership permit. The seller can transfer those plates to another vehicle or request a refund for any full months remaining on the plate stickers. The seller gives the buyer the vehicle portion of the owner's permit with the Application for Transfer (on the back) completed and signed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a UVIP to sell my car privately in Ontario?

Cars are subject to the UVIP requirement under the Highway Traffic Act. The seller is legally required under the Highway Traffic Act to provide a UVIP to the buyer at the time of sale. Failing to do so is an offence. The UVIP costs $20 from ServiceOntario.

What sales tax does the buyer pay on a private car sale in Ontario?

The buyer pays 13% Retail Sales Tax (RST) at the time of registration at a ServiceOntario centre — not to the seller. RST applies to the higher of the actual purchase price or the vehicle's Canadian Red Book wholesale value. Family-gift transfers accompanied by the Sworn Statement for a Family Gift are exempt.

How long does the buyer have to register an Ontario car?

The buyer must register as the new owner within 6 days of the purchase date at a ServiceOntario centre, bringing proof of insurance, Ontario driver's licence, the UVIP with signed bill of sale, Safety Standards Certificate (if applicable), and the completed Application for Transfer.

Is a Safety Standards Certificate required for an Ontario car transfer?

Yes, in most cases. The vehicle must pass an inspection at a DriveON Vehicle Inspection Centre. The buyer can register without an SSC but cannot affix licence plates without one. The SSC is not required for spouse-to-spouse transfers (a spousal declaration is used instead).

What must an Ontario car bill of sale include?

It must include: VIN; make, year, and power source; body type, colour, and model (if available); purchase price; seller name, address, and signature; buyer name and address; sale date. Both parties must sign an original document.

Sources

Last verified: 2026-09-05