How to Sell a Car Privately in New Brunswick (2026)
This page is the free New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick takes a few specific steps and the right documents. This guide covers exactly what you need: no jargon, no guesswork.
New Brunswick at a glance
Checked September 2026- Plates
- Plates stay with you, not with the vehicle.
- Safety certificate
- You do not have to provide one.A Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) is not required from the seller for a private sale. However, a privately purchased used vehicle must have a valid MVI certificate to be registered by the new owner, regardless of the vehicle's age. The buyer will need one to complete registration. The MVI certificate is valid for 30 days. Sellers may choose to provide one to make the sale easier.
- Transfer tax
- Tax is calculated on the sale price or the province's assessed value, whichever is higher.
- Lien search
- New Brunswick PPSA Search
- Gifting to family
- A gift to a family member is handled differently from a sale.Sign a Family Gift Affidavit in person at a Service NB location (per Bulletin PVTB-104). The donor must have already paid tax. Not valid if another family gift on this vehicle occurred in the past 12 months. Note: stepsiblings cannot gift each other under this exemption.
Source: Service New Brunswick
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New Brunswick bill of sale template
Car sale guide: everything below, plus the checklist as a PDF.
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1
What Documents You Need in New Brunswick
Open this section ↓Bill of Sale
Records the transaction: buyer, seller, vehicle, price, date. Both parties keep a signed copy.
Signed Vehicle Registration Certificate
The seller signs the back of the registration. This is what authorizes the transfer at Service New Brunswick.
2
Step-by-Step Transfer Process in New Brunswick
Complete a bill of sale: New Brunswick has no standard form, so a written bill of sale with date, VIN, year/make/model, sale price, and both parties' full names and signatures is sufficient.Open this section ↓- 1Complete a bill of sale: New Brunswick has no standard form, so a written bill of sale with date, VIN, year/make/model, sale price, and both parties' full names and signatures is sufficient.
- 2Sign the back of the vehicle registration to release ownership.
- 3Give the buyer the signed registration + bill of sale.
- 4Remove your licence plates.
- 5The buyer registers at a Service New Brunswick location. The vehicle must carry a valid NB inspection certificate before the registration can be transferred, whatever the vehicle's age; a passing passenger-vehicle sticker is good for two years (one year for taxis). The 30-day rule people mention is narrower: Service New Brunswick requires proof of an NB safety inspection completed within the past 30 days only where the bill of sale value is $1,000 or less.
New Brunswick-specific things to know
- •The seller does not need to provide an inspection certificate, but the buyer will need a valid MVI to register the vehicle regardless of its age. Let buyers know in advance.
- •Private sales are taxed under the Provincial Vehicle Tax (PVT) at 15%, charged on the greater of the sale price or the Red Book / Blue Book value, not HST on the sale price.
- •No standard provincial form exists for the bill of sale. Any written agreement with the required information is valid.
↑ Close this sectionGifting to a family member?
Sign a Family Gift Affidavit in person at a Service NB location (per Bulletin PVTB-104). The donor must have already paid tax. Not valid if another family gift on this vehicle occurred in the past 12 months. Note: stepsiblings cannot gift each other under this exemption.
3
Common Questions
Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car in New Brunswick?Open this section ↓↑ Close this sectionDo I need a safety certificate to sell my car in New Brunswick?
No. New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick PPSA 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 New Brunswick?
In New Brunswick, 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.
When you are ready
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Sign it together insteadCheck 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 New Brunswick PPSA Search →Sources and other provinces
Official sources
- Service New Brunswick: https://fcnb.ca/en/personal-finances/vehicle-ownership
- New Brunswick PPSA Search: https://www2.snb.ca/content/snb/en/sites/corporate-registry/registry.html
Facts checked September 2026
Also see: selling a car in other provinces
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.