Free Newfoundland and Labrador Trailer Bill of Sale
Trailer transfers in Newfoundland and Labrador go through the Motor Registration Division — the same agency and same process as car transfers. No safety inspection is required, and 15% RST is assessed on the greater of the price paid or the approved guide's wholesale value. Accurately recording the trailer serial number is critical, as many trailers use shorter manufacturer serial numbers rather than 17-digit VINs.
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Newfoundland and Labrador Trailer Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Tax Details
15% Retail Sales Tax (RST), not HST, applies to private trailer sales in NL. RST is calculated on the greater of the price paid or the average wholesale value in the Canadian Red Book or another guide the Minister approves.
Inspection Requirements
No safety inspection is required for private trailer sales in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Newfoundland and Labrador Trailer Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Locate the trailer serial number on the tongue or main frame; record every character exactly
- Prepare a bill of sale: buyer/seller names and addresses, serial number, trailer make/type/year/length/GVWR, and sale price
- Complete the Bill of Sale on the back of the trailer's Vehicle Registration Document
- Buyer brings signed registration document, bill of sale, valid NL driver's licence, and insurance (if required) to MRD
- Buyer pays 15% RST (not HST) on the greater of the price paid or the approved guide's wholesale value
- Confirm with MRD whether the licence plate stays with the trailer or goes with the seller
- Both parties retain a signed copy of the bill of sale
Common Pitfalls
- Short or partial serial numbers — trailer serials vary widely in length; capture the full serial number exactly as stamped.
- GVWR registration threshold — confirm with MRD whether the trailer's GVWR requires provincial registration.
- Boat trailer transfers are separate from boat transfers — two distinct documents and two separate processes when selling a boat-and-trailer package.
- Rust-obscured serial number plates — NL's salt air and coastal climate accelerate corrosion; check the serial number plate condition before listing the trailer.
Pro Tip
The Motor Registration office in Mount Pearl serves the St. John's area, and Corner Brook serves western NL. You can also transfer online at MyGovNL. Bring the signed registration document and bill of sale; arriving without the signed registration document is a common cause of a wasted trip.