How Does Vehicle Registration Work in Canada?

Vehicle registration is the process of registering your car in your province or territory, and it's mandatory wherever you live in Canada. However, the time you get to register your vehicle will vary by province. For example, in Ontario, you have six days after you purchase a car to register it,¹ while in Quebec you have up to 30 days.²

A vehicle registration certificate is an official government document that shows ownership and registration of a vehicle. Depending on where in Canada you live, your vehicle registration certificate might go by a different name, such as a vehicle permit or proof of registration. Be sure to keep this document safe, as it will be required for various official dealings involving your car.

The vehicle registration process will depend on whether you purchased your car from a dealer or from a private seller.

Dealership

Whether you're buying a new or used car from a dealership, the dealer will typically register the vehicle for you. They'll provide you with the completed paperwork, licence plate, and plate stickers (if applicable in your province).

Private sale

When buying a used car from a private seller (such as a friend or through an advertising website), you'll be responsible for transferring the ownership and registering the vehicle yourself. This can be done through your province’s vehicle registration offices, such as a Service Ontario centre³ if you live in Ontario or your local Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) service outlet if you’re in Quebec.⁴

Don’t forget to bring all the necessary paperwork and information to get your car registered. You can check online for specific details, as every province and territory will have its own requirements . For example, when you purchase a used vehicle in Ontario, the seller must give you the car's used vehicle information package, which you'll need for registration purposes.⁵

For both first-time registrations as well as transfers from a private sale, most provinces will require you to visit an official service centre to complete the process in person rather than allowing you to register online — this helps to make sure all your required documentation is verified and legally compliant. Depending on your province or territory, however, you may be able to perform other vehicle registration services (such as renewals) online.

Yes, you'll need to have car insurance to register your vehicle—it's a requirement in all the provinces and territories. So, proof of insurance will be one of the documents you'll need to complete the registration process.

Each province and territory has its own specific list of documents and items you’ll need to have on hand to register your vehicle, so be sure to check provincial or territorial requirements before heading out to your local vehicle registration office, to ensure the process goes smoothly.

There are, however, certain documents and items you’ll likely need to get your car registered, regardless of where you live in Canada. These include:

• valid driver's licence/identification
• proof of purchase/bill of sale
• proof of insurance
• licence plate/plate portion of permit (if you want to use existing plates you already own)
• safety standards certificate (for used cars)
• transfer of ownership (for used cars)

Example: Registering a used car in Ontario

Let’s say you’re buying a used car in Ontario through a private sale. You’ll need to bring the documents listed above to a ServiceOntario centre within 6 days of your purchase—and don’t forget to have the seller complete and sign the transfer portion of the vehicle's existing permit. To complete the registration, you’ll also need your car’s used vehicle information package,⁵ which Ontario law requires the seller to provide to you.⁶

After you've paid your registration fees and registered your car, you'll usually receive documents such as a vehicle permit or vehicle registration certificate, as well as licence plates (unless you're using existing plates you already own). Keep in mind, what you receive on registration will depend on where you live in Canada. But no matter what province or territory you’re registering your vehicle in, these items are key — they prove you've registered your vehicle, and that it can be legally driven.

Every car rolls off the assembly line with a vehicle identification number (VIN), which is a unique 17-character code that functions like your car’s fingerprint: While all cars have a VIN, no two VINs are the same.

As a car owner, you should know how to find your vehicle’s VIN, as you’ll need it for car-related tasks such as renewing your licence plate online or dealing with warranty issues. You can find your VIN on your vehicle permit or vehicle registration certificate, as well as in your car (it will typically be on the dashboard or on the side of the driver's door).

It's important that your vehicle registration stays up to date to comply with local laws and keep your car legally on the road. The specifics of renewing your registration vary from province to province. Keeping track of when and how you need to renew is key to making sure your car stays legally compliant.

Depending on your province, you may be able to check the status of your licence plate online. For example, here’s the Ontario's licence plate expiry check site.

Of course, renewing your vehicle registration is about more than just renewing your licence plate. But since the renewal process typically includes plate renewal, if your province offers an online plate lookup tool, it can be a helpful way to stay on top of your car’s registration renewal requirements.

Most Canadian provinces and territories now offer online renewal services for vehicles such as passenger cars. You can usually make use of online renewal as long as your information remains the same and you don’t need to make any changes to your registration details. 

Also, many provinces — including Ontario and BC — no longer require registration stickers for licence plates, making the renewal process quicker and reducing the amount of physical documentation you need to manage. 

As of July 1, 2024, eligible licence plates in Ontario will be automatically renewed each year.⁷ Eligibility for this automatic renewal hinges on having no outstanding fines or tolls and maintaining valid insurance. The renewal is effective for a year, there’s no fee (or sticker), and you won’t be contacted about the renewal.

The documents you need to have on you while driving will depend on the province or territory, but will typically include:

• Valid driver's licence
• Proof of insurance
• Copy of vehicle registration

New to Canada? Learn more about what's required to drive in Canada in our newcomers' guide.

The majority of provinces and territories in Canada now accept digital proof of insurance. Check the rules in your jurisdiction, and if digital proof is accepted, ask your insurer for a digital version. If you're an Ontario driver, for example, and you're insured with TD Insurance, you can download a digital pink card to your phone's mobile wallet or to the digital wallet in your TD Insurance app.

Feel we should caution that not all provinces except this a bit more explicitly. This link from the digital pink card may be helpful to add: But before you rip up your magical little pink piece of paper, make sure to check the rules where you live.