Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car in Newfoundland & Labrador?

No. Newfoundland & Labrador 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 NL 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 Newfoundland & Labrador?

In Newfoundland & Labrador, 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.

Sell my car

How to Sell a Car Privately in Newfoundland & Labrador (2026)

This page is the free Newfoundland & Labrador 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 Newfoundland & Labrador takes a few specific steps and the right documents. This guide covers exactly what you need: no jargon, no guesswork.

Newfoundland & Labrador 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 inspection certificate is required at the point of sale. However, the vehicle must be capable of passing a safety inspection to be registered by the buyer. The buyer arranges this. The inspection certificate is valid for 30 days, so timing matters.
Transfer tax: Tax is calculated on the sale price or the province's assessed value, whichever is higher.
Lien search: NL PPSA Search
Gifting to family: A gift to a family member is handled differently from a sale.Newfoundland & Labrador has no published named or numbered gift form. Declare the gift through the MyGovNL vehicle transfer process. There is no separate downloadable gift form. Visit the Motor Registration Division page for current steps.

Source: Motor Registration Division

Gifting to a family member? →

Free, on this page

Newfoundland & Labrador bill of sale template

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

Download free

Newfoundland & Labrador bill of sale template

1
What Documents You Need in Newfoundland & Labrador
Open this section ↓Close ↑
- 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 Motor Registration Division.
↑ Close this section

2
Step-by-Step Transfer Process in Newfoundland & Labrador
Complete the bill of sale: include date, buyer's name and driver's licence number, year/make/model, plate number, VIN, purchase price, and seller's name and signature.Open this section ↓Close ↑
1. 1
  Complete the bill of sale: include date, buyer's name and driver's licence number, year/make/model, plate number, VIN, purchase price, and seller's name and signature.
2. 2
  Sign the Express Notice of Sale on the reverse of the Vehicle Registration Document.
3. 3
  Submit the Notice of Sale to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of the sale. This is a legal requirement.
4. 4
  Remove your licence plates: in Newfoundland & Labrador plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. Keep them for another vehicle or cancel them with Motor Registration.
5. 5
  The buyer registers the vehicle and obtains a safety inspection certificate (valid 30 days) to complete registration.
Newfoundland & Labrador-specific things to know
- •Remove your licence plates before handing over the vehicle. Plates belong to the owner and do not transfer with the car.
- •You must file the Notice of Sale within 10 days of the sale date; this is a legal obligation, not just recommended.
- •Provincial Sales Tax (PST) at 15% is on the higher of the declared sale price or the Canadian Red Book wholesale value. If the declared price is lower than the Red Book wholesale value, buyer and seller must supply an affidavit, or Motor Registration collects PST on the Red Book value.
- •The bill of sale must include the buyer's driver's licence number. Have it ready at the time of sale.
Gifting to a family member?
Newfoundland & Labrador has no published named or numbered gift form. Declare the gift through the MyGovNL vehicle transfer process. There is no separate downloadable gift form. Visit the Motor Registration Division page for current steps.
Official source →Full gift-vehicle guide for NL →
↑ Close this section
3
Common Questions
Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car in Newfoundland & Labrador?Open this section ↓Close ↑
Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car in Newfoundland & Labrador?
No. Newfoundland & Labrador 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 NL 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 Newfoundland & Labrador?
In Newfoundland & Labrador, 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.

Instant download · 30-day money-back guarantee

Bill of SaleNewfoundland & Labrador 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.

Sign it together instead

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 NL PPSA Search →

Sources and other provinces

Official sources

Facts checked September 2026

Also see: selling a car in other provinces

Ontario Alberta British Columbia Manitoba Saskatchewan Nova Scotia New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Quebec

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.