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How to Sell a Car Privately in British Columbia (2026)

This page is the free British Columbia guide. No sign-in. Read on, or take the checklist as a PDF.

Facts checked September 2026 · See what changed · How we check

Selling a car privately in British Columbia takes a few specific steps and the right documents. This guide covers exactly what you need: no jargon, no guesswork.

British Columbia at a glance

Checked September 2026
Plates
Plates stay with you, not with the vehicle.
Safety certificate
You do not have to provide one.No safety inspection is required for private sales of BC-registered vehicles. Exception: if the vehicle was most recently registered in another province, a passed inspection at a Designated Inspection Facility is required before ICBC completes the transfer.
Transfer tax
Tax is calculated on the sale price or the province's assessed value, whichever is higher.
Lien search
BC Personal Property Registry Search
Gifting to family
A gift to a family member is handled differently from a sale.Use FIN 319 (Gift of a Vehicle). Both of you sign it at or before registration (you can sign it ahead of time), then bring the completed form to an ICBC Autoplan broker. No notarization required for a vehicle already registered in BC. The donor must have already paid BC PST (a vehicle brought in from another province may not qualify). Limit: one gift per 12 months on the same vehicle.

Source: ICBC

Gifting to a family member? →

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British Columbia bill of sale template

Car sale guide: everything below, plus the checklist as a PDF.

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British Columbia bill of sale template
  1. 1

    What Documents You Need in British Columbia

    Open this section ↓

    • Bill of Sale

      Records the transaction: buyer, seller, vehicle, price, date. Both parties keep a signed copy.

    • Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T)

      Required by ICBC. All four pages must have original signatures from both buyer and seller.

    • Signed Vehicle Registration Certificate

      The seller signs the back of the registration. This is what authorizes the transfer at ICBC.

    ↑ Close this section
  2. 2

    Step-by-Step Transfer Process in British Columbia

    Complete the Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T): all four pages require original signatures from both buyer and seller. This form is mandatory; a bill of sale alone is not sufficient.Open this section ↓
    1. 1
      Complete the Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T): all four pages require original signatures from both buyer and seller. This form is mandatory; a bill of sale alone is not sufficient.
    2. 2
      Complete a bill of sale as supplementary proof of the transaction.
    3. 3
      Remove your licence plates before the buyer drives away. Plates stay with you in BC.
    4. 4
      Give the buyer the signed APV9T, signed vehicle registration (Owner's Certificate), and bill of sale.
    5. 5
      The buyer must submit the completed APV9T to an Autoplan broker within 10 days of the sale date.
    6. 6
      Cancel or transfer your ICBC insurance. It does not transfer with the vehicle.

    British Columbia-specific things to know

    • •The APV9T form is mandatory. A standard bill of sale alone will not transfer ownership.
    • •Transfer tax (PST) is charged on the greater of the purchase price or the vehicle's average wholesale value. Rates are tiered: 12% under $125,000, 15% from $125,000 to $149,999, and 20% at $150,000 and above. The buyer may owe more tax than expected if the wholesale value exceeds the sale price.
    • •Plates and insurance do not go with the car. Both stay with the seller.
    • •The buyer has 10 days from the sale date to register at an Autoplan broker.

    Gifting to a family member?

    Use FIN 319 (Gift of a Vehicle). Both of you sign it at or before registration (you can sign it ahead of time), then bring the completed form to an ICBC Autoplan broker. No notarization required for a vehicle already registered in BC. The donor must have already paid BC PST (a vehicle brought in from another province may not qualify). Limit: one gift per 12 months on the same vehicle.

    Official source →Full gift-vehicle guide for BC →

    The form BC sales live or die on

    The APV9T Transfer/Tax Form is mandatory for every BC private sale. A bill of sale alone won't transfer ownership.

    Form APV9T, explained →
    ↑ Close this section
  3. 3

    Common Questions

    Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car in British Columbia?Open this section ↓

    Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car in British Columbia?

    No. British Columbia does not require a safety inspection for private vehicle sales. The vehicle can be sold as-is.

    What happens if there's a lien on the vehicle?

    If you have an outstanding loan on the vehicle, you must pay it off and obtain a lien release before transferring ownership. Selling a vehicle with an undisclosed lien is illegal and exposes you to serious liability. You can check for liens using the BC Personal Property Registry Search.

    How do I handle payment safely?

    Bank drafts and certified cheques are safest for large amounts. They cannot bounce. For e-transfer, confirm the funds have arrived in your account before signing anything. Never hand over keys until payment is fully cleared and in your possession.

    How is transfer tax calculated in British Columbia?

    In British Columbia, transfer tax is calculated on the higher of the actual sale price or the average wholesale book value. Understating the price to save on tax is illegal and won't work. The registry checks the book value.

    ↑ Close this section

When you are ready

Bill of Sale & transfer package$12

  • Province-correct · built for registry requirements · disclosures covered
  • Helps avoid a rejected transfer or missing disclosure
Preview free, download when ready

See a full sample (PDF)

Everything in the package, plus Sign Together: your buyer signs online through a secure private link

or $19 with Sign Together: your buyer fills in their own half and signs from their phone, and you both leave with the finished file.

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Bill of Sale
Bill of SaleBritish Columbia private vehicle sale

Built by Nathan, nine years in the Canadian Army, paperwork done the hard way first.

Private Car Sale Package with Sign Together

$19

Both of you sign online from your own devices, through a secure private link, and neither of you creates an account.

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Check for liens before you buy

Run a PPSA lien search before finalizing any purchase. It takes 5 minutes and can save you from inheriting someone else's debt.

Search BC Personal Property Registry Search →

Sources and other provinces

Official sources

Facts checked September 2026

Also see: selling a car in other provinces

OntarioAlbertaManitobaSaskatchewanNova ScotiaNew BrunswickPrince Edward IslandNewfoundland & LabradorQuebec

Informational guide only. Guidepost is not a law firm. This guide explains the typical process and is not legal advice. Requirements can change. Verify current rules with the relevant government authority or a qualified professional before you act.