Transferring car ownership in Ontario is a paperwork process, not a negotiation — but skip a step and the car stays in your name, with tickets and tolls following you home. Here's the full process, the documents you need, and the mistakes that cost sellers real money. Selling to a dealer? We handle the transfer for you.
Before the sale: get your documents ready
Gather everything before the buyer arrives — a sale stalls fast when a document is missing. The seller provides:
Signed vehicle ownership
The green slip — your proof of ownership. Sign the transfer section on the back.
Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP)
$20 at ServiceOntario, legally required for private sales. Shows history, lien status, and wholesale/retail values.
Safety Standards Certificate
Needed if the buyer is plating the car without their own inspection. Valid for 36 days from issue.
Bill of sale
Two signed copies showing price, date, VIN, and odometer reading. One for you, one for the buyer.
All keys
Every key and fob that came with the car — buyers expect them and their absence can hold up a sale.
The buyer brings a driver's licence and proof of insurance. If there's a lien on the car, the seller needs a lender discharge letter — the lien must be cleared before or at the transfer.
Step 1: Agree on the sale and sign the bill of sale
Record both parties' names and addresses, year/make/model/VIN, odometer reading, sale price, and date. Both sign; each keeps a copy. This is your proof of the transaction — even for family sales.
Step 2: Remove your licence plates
In Ontario, plates stay with the owner, not the car. Remove them before the buyer drives away. Transfer them to your next vehicle or return them to ServiceOntario.
Step 3: The buyer registers at ServiceOntario
Within 6 days the buyer registers with the signed ownership, UVIP, bill of sale, insurance, and safety certificate. The buyer pays retail sales tax on the sale price or the UVIP wholesale value (whichever is higher), unless it's a qualifying family transfer.
Step 4: Confirm the transfer happened
Most sellers skip this and regret it. Until the buyer registers, the car is still in your name — parking tickets and 407 bills come to you. Go with the buyer to ServiceOntario if possible; keep your bill of sale and follow up within a week. Never let a buyer drive away on your plates or your insurance.
Special cases
Selling to a dealer
We handle the transfer paperwork for you — no ServiceOntario visit, no plate-return trip. See our sell-your-car page for a no-obligation cash offer.get your cash offer
Family transfers
No retail tax for spouses and certain relatives, but the UVIP and registration steps still apply. The exemption is specific — confirm eligibility with ServiceOntario before assuming the transfer is tax-free.
Lien on the car
It must be discharged before or at transfer. If you're still paying off the car, read our guide on selling a car with a loan.
Deceased owner
The estate process applies — the executor handles the transfer with the appropriate documentation. Contact ServiceOntario for the specific forms required.
Unfit vehicles
The transfer can register, but no plates are issued until the car passes a safety inspection. The buyer takes ownership but can't legally drive it until it's certified.
Common mistakes that cost sellers money
These are the errors that show up after the sale, when a ticket or toll arrives in your name. Avoid all five:
- Leaving the plates on the car
- No signed bill of sale
- Skipping the UVIP
- Accepting “I'll register next week”
- Forgetting to discharge the lien
For the complete sale process beyond just the transfer, see our Ontario selling guide — it covers pricing, safety, and the full paperwork walkthrough.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the buyer have to register the car?
Six days from the sale. You remain liable for the vehicle until the buyer registers it in their name, so keep your signed bill of sale and follow up within a week.
Who pays the tax on a private car sale?
The buyer pays retail sales tax at ServiceOntario, calculated on the sale price or the UVIP wholesale value — whichever is higher. The seller does not pay tax on a private sale.
Can I transfer car ownership online in Ontario?
For most private sales the transfer still happens in person at a ServiceOntario counter. Some dealer-assisted transfers and specific cases may differ, but plan for an in-person visit.
What if the buyer never registers the car?
Your signed bill of sale is your evidence. Use it to dispute any parking tickets or 407 charges that arrive in your name, and report the sale to ServiceOntario so the record shows the vehicle left your possession on the sale date.
Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car?
Only if the buyer is plating it right away — they need a valid Safety Standards Certificate to register and plate the car. When you sell to a dealer, the dealer handles that part, so no safety certificate is required from you.