How to Register a Car in Ontario: What to Bring to ServiceOntario

Last updated: October 29, 2026

How to Register a Car in Ontario: What to Bring to ServiceOntario

Quick answer: To register a car in Ontario, you go in person to a ServiceOntario centre with proof of Ontario insurance, your driver's licence or another accepted ID, proof of purchase, and the original vehicle permit signed over by the seller. A used car from a private seller also needs the Used Vehicle Information Package, and you need a Safety Standards Certificate to put plates on it. Register within 6 days of buying it. ServiceOntario lists $32 for a permit and $59 for a plate with a permit, plus 13% retail sales tax on a private sale.

Registering a car in Ontario takes one visit if you bring the right papers, and two or three if you don't. What you need depends on where the car came from: a private seller, a dealer, another province, the U.S., or a relative.

This guide is an Ontario vehicle registration checklist for the person standing at the counter, whether you bought the car, moved here with it, or were given it. How ownership passes from seller to buyer is covered in our guide to how ownership transfers between seller and buyer. If a sworn statement is part of your registration, Minute Notary commissions it by video or on a mobile visit. Contact us or call (613) 434-5555.

Caption: Check that the VIN on the car matches the permit before money changes hands. ServiceOntario tells both buyers and sellers to do it.

Key Takeaways

What do you need to register a car in Ontario? Everyone brings proof of Ontario insurance and ID. The rest depends on your situation.

Before You Go: Insurance, Safety Certificate, Permit and VIN

Insurance comes first. You need insurance before you register as the owner, from a private insurer licensed in Ontario. Every vehicle must carry at least $200,000 of third-party liability coverage. Your insurer gives you the pink liability card, and you must carry it whenever you drive; not showing it to police can mean a fine of up to $400.

The Safety Standards Certificate. You can buy and register a car without one, but you cannot put plates on it. It is needed when a used vehicle goes to a new owner (unless the new owner is your spouse), when a vehicle comes from another province, territory or country, for a rebuilt vehicle, and to change a vehicle's status from unfit to fit. A vehicle's permit shows its status: "FIT" confirms it met the minimum safety standards, and the UVIP tells you if a car is registered as unfit, in which case it needs a Safety Standards Certificate before its status can change to fit. The inspection is done at a DriveON vehicle inspection centre licensed by the Ministry of Transportation, the price is set by each centre, and the certificate is valid for 36 calendar days.

Check the permit and the VIN. Make sure the seller is the registered owner named on the permit and that the VIN on the car matches it. On a private sale, the seller must give you the Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP). If you need one urgently, ServiceOntario sells it in person at any centre, issued the same day.

You may be able to book an appointment at a ServiceOntario centre ahead of your visit.

What to Bring for an Ontario Vehicle Registration

This is ServiceOntario's list for an Ontario motor vehicle registration, permit and licence plate included:

• your driver's licence, or an accepted proof of identity showing your legal name, date of birth and signature
• the completed UVIP (for a passenger vehicle, light commercial vehicle, self-propelled motor home or motorcycle)
• proof of purchase, such as a receipt or the bill of sale at the bottom of the UVIP
• proof of insurance from an insurer licensed in Ontario
• the original vehicle permit from the seller, with the transfer section on the back completed
• the plate portion of your own permit, if you want to put plates you already own on this car
• the Safety Standards Certificate, to put plates on it

For a private sale, the buy-or-sell page adds the odometer reading, and an annual or semi-annual inspection where one applies. You can fill in the Application for Vehicle Registration (SR-LV-006) before you go.

What you leave with. Permits and plates are issued on the spot; only personalized plates are mailed. The Ontario vehicle permit, the green ownership, now shows your name, and you must carry it when you drive. In Ontario the plates follow the owner, not the car, so the seller keeps theirs.

Caption: Plates go on only after you have insurance and a Safety Standards Certificate. In Ontario they stay with you when you sell the car.

How Much It Costs to Register a Car in Ontario

ServiceOntario publishes these amounts:

ServiceOntario takes Visa, Mastercard, debit, cash and certified cheques.

The tax has a few special cases: a Red Book value under $1,000, a car 20 years or older, and a purchase from a dealer or other GST/HST registrant, which carries HST instead. Our car ownership transfer guide explains each one.

The temporary sticker lets you drive a car registered in Ontario to a garage for its safety inspection, for 10 days; ServiceOntario sells at most two per vehicle and registrant in 365 days. After registration, most passenger vehicle plates renew automatically each year with no fee, as long as your insurance is valid and you have no outstanding fines or tolls.

How to Register a Used Car in Ontario After a Private Sale

This is the most common case. The seller signs the Application for Transfer on the back of the vehicle portion of the permit and hands it over with the UVIP and a bill of sale signed and dated by both of you. You then register within 6 days of the purchase, pay the tax at the counter, and leave with your permit and plates.

What the seller does on their side, how the bill of sale must read, the lien check and the Red Book rules are all in our car ownership transfer guide. If you want a typed bill of sale, our free bill of sale template asks for the details ServiceOntario lists.

Bought From a Dealer

For a new car, ServiceOntario says the dealer usually completes the registration; if not, you register it at a ServiceOntario centre. Its insurance page adds that most dealers do the paperwork for you, so ask before you book a counter visit. An OMVIC-registered dealer does not have to give you a UVIP, and a dealer's bill of sale must be on its letterhead. Since a dealer is a GST/HST registrant, you pay HST on the sale and no retail sales tax at the counter.

A Car From Another Province

ServiceOntario's out-of-province page says to meet the general requirements, prove your identity the first time you register, and bring proof of the lease if the car is leased. In place of an Ontario permit, you bring the out-of-province ownership, with your proof of purchase. A Safety Standards Certificate is required, and no UVIP is needed for a vehicle previously bought or sold outside Ontario.

On tax, ServiceOntario says you may pay 13% retail sales tax if you bought the car privately in another province. People moving to Ontario with a car they already own may qualify for the settler's effects exemption; our car ownership transfer guide lists the Ministry of Finance's conditions.

A Car Imported From the U.S.

Importing comes before registration and is federal. Transport Canada points you to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) compatibility list to check that the car can be imported, and says it must be clear of recalls and declared at the border on the Vehicle Import Form (Form 1), where any taxes and duties are paid. It must then pass an RIV inspection within 45 days to be officially considered imported; a car that fails cannot stay in Canada.

At ServiceOntario you bring the general documents, the customs clearance Form 1 (with the car listed in the imported goods), proof of identity, and a Safety Standards Certificate. ServiceOntario notes you may also owe the 8% provincial portion of the HST on a car brought in from outside Canada; the Canada Revenue Agency (1-800-959-5525) answers those questions.

New to Ontario or New to Canada

If you do not have an Ontario driver's licence yet, ServiceOntario accepts other ID for vehicle registration as long as it proves your legal name, date of birth and signature. A Canadian or foreign passport does all three in one document, as do a permanent resident card with a signature and a study or work permit (IMM 1442).

Get insurance before you go, since it is required to register. ServiceOntario's Special Permit page says a new resident who recently bought a vehicle has 30 days to register it in the province, and sells a 10-day Special Permit ($23.50) to cover the gap. If your situation is unusual, call ServiceOntario on a weekday at 1-800-387-3445 before you rely on a date.

When a Sworn Statement Is Part of Registration

Most registrations involve nothing sworn. These are the ones that do, or that people often think do:

• A car you were given by family. If the relative is on ServiceOntario's eligible list and nothing is paid, the donor and the recipient swear Form 1157E before a commissioner, and the recipient registers in person with it. Only one exempt family transfer of the same car is allowed in 12 months. See gifting a car in Ontario to family.
• Other tax-exempt transfers. ServiceOntario describes Form 1155E as the form that supports an exemption from retail sales tax on a transfer "other than family gifts". The Ministry of Finance names it for a separation settlement and for a car donated to a charity, among others. See our Form 1155E guide.
• A car bought below its Red Book value. This one is not a sworn statement. The Ministry of Finance route is an appraisal on the Motor Vehicle Appraisal Record (Form 1159), by an OMVIC-registered dealer or an appraiser with a Ministry number, for an excessively used or damaged car. Form 1155E does not cover a low price.
• A VIN that does not match the permit. ServiceOntario's list of supporting documents includes a sworn affidavit by the owner explaining the VIN error.
• A lost permit. The owner replaces it at a ServiceOntario centre for $32, with ID and the plate number or VIN. That list has nothing sworn on it. A sworn account is only needed if a buyer, insurer or other office asks for one; our lost or stolen ownership affidavit guide covers that case.
• A company car. The first time a business registers a vehicle, it needs a Registrant Identification Number (RIN), and a notarized Letter of Authorization from someone who can bind the company is one accepted route. See our RIN letter guide.

What a notary can and cannot do: A notary public or commissioner confirms your identity, administers the oath or affirmation, watches you sign, and commissions the sworn statement with their signature and seal. A notary does not register the car, decide whether you qualify for a tax exemption, value the car, or advise you on what to write. ServiceOntario registers the vehicle, and the Ministry of Finance sets the tax rules.

Caption: A gift between eligible relatives can skip the sales tax, but only with Form 1157E sworn before a commissioner.

Someone Else Registering for You

If you cannot get to the counter, a third party can register the car for you with ServiceOntario's Letter of Authorization (form SR-LD-433). The third party brings:

• the original Letter of Authorization (every signature on it must be original)
• an original or a photocopy of your valid Ontario driver's licence or Ontario Photo Card
• their own original Ontario driver's licence or Ontario Photo Card

ServiceOntario's list does not ask for the letter to be notarized. Our vehicle owner authorization letter guide explains when people still choose to.

One warning from ServiceOntario: be careful with anyone who asks you to register a vehicle in your name for them. If it is used in a crime, you can face criminal charges.

Common Mistakes When Registering a Car in Ontario

• Arriving without insurance. It has to be in place before you register.
• Missing the 6-day window, or letting the 36-day safety certificate expire first.
• Accepting a permit with an unsigned back. You need the original permit with the transfer section completed.
• Expecting the seller's plates. They stay with the seller. Bring your own plate portion or buy new plates.
• Treating a low price as a sworn-statement case. Below Red Book means an appraisal; Form 1155E is for listed exemptions.
• Signing a sworn form at home. It is signed in front of the commissioner, after the oath.
• Leaving the address out of date. Your permit must be updated within 6 days of a move.

How the Signing Works with Minute Notary

You only need us when a sworn form is part of your registration: Form 1157E, Form 1155E, or an affidavit ServiceOntario or someone else has asked for.

Why it can be done by video. Under the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, an oath is taken in the commissioner's physical presence unless the regulations provide otherwise (s. 9). O. Reg. 431/20 provides otherwise: you and the notary must be able to see, hear and talk to each other in real time for the whole appointment, the notary confirms your identity and makes sure you understand the document, and the jurat records that the oath was taken under the regulation and where each of you was.

1. Fill in the form and leave it unsigned. Have the vehicle permit or a clear copy handy so the VIN, year, make and model match.
2. Book the appointment. When you book, choose the matching vehicle service, such as Used vehicle transfer sworn statement or Family gift of a used vehicle - Ontario Form 1157E, or contact us or call (613) 434-5555.
3. Everyone who signs joins. Forms 1157E and 1155E are sworn by both parties. They can join the same video call from different places, each with valid government photo ID.
4. On the call: each person swears or affirms and signs while the notary watches.
5. The notary completes the jurat, signs and applies the seal. You receive a PDF to print and take to ServiceOntario. Whether the counter accepts it is ServiceOntario's decision.

If you prefer to sign in person, we come to you on a mobile visit anywhere in Ontario.

Pricing

Note: prices are before HST. Example: a Form 1157E sworn online by a father and his daughter is 2 stamps, $49.90 plus HST. ServiceOntario's fees and the tax are separate and paid at the counter. We commission the form; we do not fill it in or give legal or tax advice.

See every posted rate on our pricing page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to register a car in Ontario?

Proof of Ontario insurance, your driver's licence or another accepted ID, proof of purchase such as a bill of sale, and the original vehicle permit with the transfer section completed by the seller. For a used car from a private seller you also need the Used Vehicle Information Package, and to put plates on the car you need a Safety Standards Certificate.

How much does it cost to register a car in Ontario?

ServiceOntario lists $32 for a vehicle permit and $59 for a licence plate with a permit. On a private sale you also pay 13% retail sales tax at the counter, generally on the purchase price or the Canadian Red Book wholesale value, whichever is greater. A safety inspection is priced by each inspection centre, and any outstanding fines in your name are added.

How long do I have to register a car after buying it?

ServiceOntario says you must register a used vehicle within 6 days of the purchase. The Safety Standards Certificate is valid for 36 days after the inspection, so plan the two dates together.

Can I register a car online in Ontario?

Not the registration itself, as of October 2026. Registration is done at a ServiceOntario centre, where the permit and plates are issued on the spot. What you can do online is the preparation: order the Used Vehicle Information Package, book an appointment where offered, and later check or renew your licence plate.

Do I need a safety certificate to register a used car?

You can register a used car without one, but you cannot put plates on it. A Safety Standards Certificate is required when a used vehicle goes to a new owner (unless the new owner is your spouse) and when a vehicle comes from another province or country. It comes from a DriveON inspection centre and is valid for 36 days.

Can someone else register my car for me?

Yes. ServiceOntario accepts a third party with the original Letter of Authorization signed by the owner, an original or a photocopy of the owner's Ontario driver's licence or Photo Card, and the third party's own original Ontario driver's licence or Photo Card.

What is the Ontario vehicle permit?

It is the green ownership document ServiceOntario issues when a vehicle is registered, with a vehicle portion and a plate portion. It is issued on the spot, a replacement costs $32, you must carry it when you drive, and the address on it must be updated within 6 days of a move.

What ID can I use to register a car without an Ontario driver's licence?

Any accepted document that proves your legal name, date of birth and signature. A Canadian or foreign passport does all three on its own, as do a permanent resident card with a signature and a study or work permit (IMM 1442).

Do I need a notary to register a car in Ontario?

Not for an ordinary registration. A commissioner or notary is needed when a sworn form is part of it: the family gift statement (Form 1157E), the sworn statement for other tax-exempt transfers (Form 1155E), or an affidavit explaining a VIN error. A notarized Letter of Authorization is also one way a business gets its RIN.

What if the seller lost the ownership?

The seller replaces it first. ServiceOntario replaces a lost, stolen or damaged vehicle permit at a ServiceOntario centre for $32, for the owner or someone with the owner's Letter of Authorization. You need the original permit, signed on the back, to register the car in your name.

Final Recommendation

Line the dates up before you pay: insurance on the day you buy, a safety inspection inside its 36 days, and ServiceOntario within 6 days of the purchase. Bring the original signed permit, the UVIP and the bill of sale, your ID and your pink card. If the car comes from a dealer, ask whether the dealer is registering it for you. If it comes from another province or the U.S., add the out-of-province ownership or Form 1 and a safety certificate. Only when a gift, an exemption or a VIN error is involved do you need a sworn form, and that is the part a notary handles.

Book Your Appointment

Need Form 1157E, Form 1155E or a VIN affidavit sworn before you register the car? Minute Notary commissions it by secure video or on a mobile visit, from $24.95 per stamp plus HST.

• Contact us: Ask a question or request an appointment
• Call: (613) 434-5555
• Service page: Vehicle Transfer Documents
• Free template: Bill of sale for a vehicle
• Related guide: How ownership transfers between seller and buyer
• Hours: Every day, Saturday and Sunday included, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Ottawa time)

Sources

• ServiceOntario — Register a vehicle (permit and licence plate)
• ServiceOntario — Buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario
• ServiceOntario — Register and insure a vehicle in Ontario
• ServiceOntario — Safety standards certificate
• ServiceOntario — Used vehicle information package
• ServiceOntario — Register an out of province vehicle in Ontario
• ServiceOntario — Temporary licence plate sticker
• ServiceOntario — Special Permit
• ServiceOntario — Licence plate renewals
• ServiceOntario — Acceptable identity documents
• ServiceOntario — Transfer ownership of a vehicle to a family member
• Ontario Ministry of Finance — Retail Sales Tax, Specified Vehicles
• Transport Canada — Importing a vehicle from the United States and Mexico
• Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.17 (Ontario), s. 9
• O. Reg. 431/20: Administering Oath or Declaration Remotely (Ontario)