Free Manitoba Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Selling a motorcycle in Manitoba requires the same Certificate of Inspection (COI) that applies to cars when the registered owner changes. The buyer needs a valid COI from a Manitoba inspection station to register the bike at an Autopac agent — the seller can provide one or tell the buyer to get it. The 7% RST applies to the higher of the sale price or the Canadian Blue Book average wholesale value, and — as with all Manitoba vehicle sales — the seller keeps their licence plates, not the motorcycle.
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Manitoba Motorcycle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Tax Details
RST at 7% applies to private motorcycle sales in Manitoba, assessed on the higher of the sale price or the average wholesale value in the Canadian Blue Book.
Exemption: Gifts from a qualifying family member (such as a spouse, parent, child or grandparent) are exempt from RST if the giver paid the tax, with a written note from the giver. Gifts from a sibling are taxed.
Inspection Requirements
In Manitoba, a motorcycle needs a Certificate of Inspection (COI) when it gets a new registered owner. Some close-family transfers are exempt. The inspection must be performed at a Manitoba inspection station. Inspectors will check brakes, tires, lights, steering, and other safety-critical components.
Manitoba Motorcycle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Seller gets a Certificate of Inspection (COI) at a Manitoba inspection station, or tells the buyer to get one. For motorcycles, the inspector checks brakes, tires, lights, mirrors, handlebars, and throttle/clutch controls.
- Prepare a bill of sale with the motorcycle VIN, make, model, year, engine displacement (cc), odometer reading, sale price, and both parties' full names and addresses.
- Record any included accessories (saddlebags, windshield, heated grips, etc.) in the bill of sale.
- Seller keeps their Manitoba licence plates — they do not transfer with the motorcycle.
- Buyer takes the bill of sale, the signed TOD, and the COI to any Autopac agent — register and insure the vehicle before driving it.
- Buyer pays 7% RST, obtains new motorcycle plates, and purchases MPI Autopac insurance at the broker.
- Both parties keep signed copies of all documents for at least 6 years.
Common Pitfalls
- Motorcycle-specific inspection: while the COI requirement is the same as for cars, motorcycle inspections include components that cars don't have — chain/belt condition, handlebar width, and clutch operation. Factor in inspection time when planning your sale timeline.
- Seasonal plate considerations: Manitoba motorcycle plates often differ from car plates (M prefix). Sellers keep their plates; buyers get new motorcycle plates. Confirm the plate type required for the buyer's new registration.
- Accessories documentation: aftermarket exhausts, custom lighting, or engine modifications may trigger additional inspection scrutiny. Be upfront with the inspector about any non-stock modifications.
- Cold-weather sales: safety inspections must be conducted with the motorcycle operational. Selling a stored winter bike in December may require warming it up sufficiently for the inspection — factor this into your timeline.
Pro Tip
Motorcycle inspections in Manitoba are more involved than car inspections, so book one early — popular shops fill up quickly in spring and early summer. Have the bike fully operational and all lights working before the inspector arrives. A clean Certificate of Inspection, the signed TOD, a detailed bill of sale, and a straightforward Autopac appointment is all it takes to complete a Manitoba motorcycle sale properly.