Free British Columbia ATV Bill of Sale
British Columbia ties the quad to the land it rides on: under the Off-Road Vehicle Act, operating an ORV on Crown land requires the owner to register it and display an ICBC-issued number plate or sticker — the Certificate of Registration and plate cost $48 — mounted clearly on the front, back, or left exterior and securely fastened horizontally. Because BC is overwhelmingly Crown land, that registration is the practical price of riding anywhere worth riding. The bill of sale is what moves that registration to the new owner.
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British Columbia ATV Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Tax Details
12% PST on the higher of the declared sale price or Canadian Black Book average wholesale value. The same luxury tier escalation applies — 15% for $125K–$149,999; 20% for $150K+ — though this rarely affects motorcycles.
Inspection Requirements
No pre-sale inspection required for BC-registered motorcycles. Out-of-province motorcycles require a DIF inspection before they can be registered in BC.
British Columbia ATV Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Identify the machine: make, model, year, engine displacement (cc), and the VIN or frame serial number exactly as stamped.
- Confirm the ORV is registered with ICBC and that the number plate or sticker is present — Crown land use requires it.
- Hand over the Certificate of Registration with the bill of sale so the buyer can transfer it (registration and plate run $48).
- Check the plate is mounted as BC requires: clearly visible on the front, back, or left exterior, horizontal and securely fastened.
- Record the price and terms; PST applies to the private sale of an ORV, and the buyer settles it at transfer.
- Note the hour-meter reading and disclose known mechanical issues in writing — sold as-is means as-is only if it is written.
- Both parties sign and keep copies of the bill of sale.
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming a quad needs no registration because it never sees a road: in BC it is Crown land use that triggers the requirement, and Crown land is where most riding happens.
- Taking delivery without the Certificate of Registration: the buyer cannot transfer or legally operate on Crown land without it.
- Mounting the plate wrong: BC specifies front, back, or left exterior, clearly visible, horizontal and secure — a stashed sticker is a ticket.
- Skipping the written condition disclosure on a well-used machine: BC quads live hard lives in the backcountry.
Pro Tip
In BC the question is never "is it a road vehicle" but "will it touch Crown land." If yes, it is registered, plated, and transferable — and the bill of sale plus the Certificate of Registration are what make the buyer the legal owner.