You can purchase your next car from another province and register it in Ontario. Before you send payment, though, make sure you’ve done your due diligence regarding ownership, liens, transportation, insurance, out-of-province tax rules and Ontario’s requirements for vehicle inspection and registration.
To map the purchase from payment through Ontario registration, our MyChoice team reviewed Ontario’s out-of-province registration guide, Ontario’s Safety Standards Certificate rules, Ontario’s specified-vehicle tax bulletin, and Transport Canada’s U.S. vehicle-import FAQ.
This guide explains what to check before paying, which documents Ontario may require, how dealer and private tax paths differ, and when a U.S. purchase becomes a separate federal import project.
Can You Buy An Out-Of-Province Car And Register It In Ontario?
Yes, but before purchasing, confirm that you can legally transfer, transport, insure and register the vehicle in Ontario.
Make sure you have the correct ownership/bill of sale paperwork and can pass an Ontario safety inspection so it can be registered and receive Ontario road plates as a vehicle fit to drive.
Check the requirements for transporting or driving the vehicle back to Ontario, as some provinces will let you purchase temporary permits or plates.
Tax requirements vary depending on who is selling you the vehicle, whether GST/HST applies, and Ontario’s rules for buying a car from a private party. Tax paid in another province may or may not be credited/refunded.
Before You Buy: An Out-Of-Province Vehicle Checklist
| Check | Proceed only when you have |
|---|---|
| Seller and title | The seller’s legal name is the same as the name on the ownership/title document; The seller has authority to sell the vehicle. |
| Liens | If you’re planning on purchasing an out-of-province vehicle, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting an up-to-date search from the vehicle’s jurisdiction of origin and have a game plan in writing for how you’ll clear the lien. |
| Vehicle identity | Make sure that the VIN matches up on the vehicle, ownership documents, bill of sale and vehicle history report. |
| Condition | An independent pre-purchase inspection, or a written decision to accept the risk if you skip it |
| Ontario eligibility | Confirmation that the vehicle can be registered and is not branded non-repairable |
| Transport | Written permit, plate and insurance instructions from the origin province, or a carrier contract |
| Tax | Dealer invoice or private-sale calculation as appropriate for your seller. |
| Total cost | Determine what you want to spend on the entire transaction, including purchase, transport/freight, inspection, repairs, taxes, permit, plates, insurance, etc. |
A vehicle-history report can help when buying a vehicle, but don’t assume that it will flag all accidents, liens, and title problems.
Verify the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Ask the seller’s province’s official registry (personal-property) search system to check for liens and title issues.
What Documents Do You Need To Register It In Ontario?
Requirements vary depending on the type of vehicle you have and the nature of the transaction. For example, if you’re registering a standard used passenger vehicle, you’ll need to bring your original identification, your out-of-province title/ownership, a bill of sale listing all items, proof of Ontario auto insurance, an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate, and registration forms or supporting documents ServiceOntario requests.
Ontario generally requires a used vehicle to be registered within six days after purchase. The Safety Standards Certificate confirms the vehicle meets Ontario’s minimum safety standards, but it is not a warranty. This certificate is good for 36 calendar days from the day it was inspected.
Visit Ontario’s out-of-province registration page to make sure you have the most up-to-date registration requirements before visiting ServiceOntario.
Read More: See How to Register a Car in Ontario
Should You Drive The Vehicle Home Or Ship It?
| Option | What you must arrange | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Drive it to Ontario | Temporary registration or permits, plates if applicable, and confirmation that you have insurance during transit. | You can assess the vehicle on the trip, but mechanical failure, weather, permit and insurance issues are yours to manage |
| Use an open carrier | A written pickup and delivery agreement, condition report, cargo-liability details and insurance confirmation | Usually less protection from weather and debris than enclosed transport |
| Use an enclosed carrier | The same written protections, plus confirmation that the quoted service is actually enclosed | More physical protection, normally at a higher quoted price |
Get a written, comprehensive quote to ensure you understand the total cost. Costs vary depending on your exact location, your vehicle details, the service you choose, and the service date.
How Ontario Tax Works On An Out-Of-Province Purchase
| Seller | Likely path | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| GST/HST-registered dealer in Canada | The final tax treatment depends on the dealer’s location and delivery details. You may owe an additional 8% provincial HST at ServiceOntario. | What tax appears on the final invoice, including delivery location and trade-in treatment? |
| Private seller elsewhere in Canada | The province of Ontario charges 13% RST on the purchase price of a specified vehicle that is brought into Ontario for use. Please note that certain exemptions and special rules may apply. | Does the transaction meet an Ontario exemption or antique rule? |
Always check the rules on taxes for out-of-province purchases, both in the province where the purchase was made and for what Ontario/the CRA considers the final tax treatment before you count on a tax refund or tax credit.
Read More: Review Ontario Taxes on Used Vehicles
Calculate The Total Landed Cost Before You Commit
Don’t focus only on a vehicle’s purchase price, especially if it’s out of province.
You should take additional fees into consideration when buying from a dealer, or private-sale documentation and registration costs. Also, it’s important to look into transportation costs such as travel, hotel, gas, or a shipping estimate; any fees to have it released such as permits, registration, or licence plates; sales tax such as GST/HST or Ontario RST based on seller type; mandatory Ontario safety inspection, Ontario registration, permit and plate fees; and any anticipated repairs.
Remember that you’ll be responsible for insuring it when risk transfers to you. Compare the total landed cost to similar Ontario vehicles, not just the advertised price.
Factor in a little extra money for repairs/inspection, especially on an older vehicle.
A U.S. Vehicle Is A Separate Import Decision
Importing a vehicle into Canada can be complicated and may include recall-related documentation, border processing, modifications, Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) requirements, RIV inspection, etc.
Before you put a deposit on a U.S. vehicle, make sure you’ve done your research and understand federal admissibility requirements set by Transport Canada, export requirements (from the U.S.), duties/taxes at the border, RIV requirements, the process/timelines involved and requirements for registering the vehicle in Ontario.
Vehicles that ultimately cannot pass the RIV inspection process must be exported to the United States or destroyed under customs supervision. This guide is Ontario-specific, but does not address every possible consideration for importing from the U.S. Please refer to a checklist for a comprehensive guide to U.S. imports.
What To Confirm With Your Insurer
Confirm registration and permit requirements with ServiceOntario and the jurisdiction you’re buying from, and get written confirmation from your insurer before moving your vehicle.
- Your insurer accepts the vehicle’s VIN.
- You can have your insurance become effective before you receive the vehicle. Tell them who will be driving it, the temporary license plates/permit you’ll be using, what province you’re driving from and what route you’re taking.
- What information is needed for your proof of insurance so it is valid for your drive to Ontario as well as registering there. Get it in writing.
Read More: Review Ontario’s Vehicle-Ownership Transfer Steps