Free Newfoundland and Labrador Vehicle Bill of Sale
Private vehicle sales in Newfoundland and Labrador involve the same 15% HST and Canadian Red Book wholesale floor used in Nova Scotia, but without the mandatory pre-sale Motor Vehicle Inspection Certificate. The vehicle must be inspectable to be registered, so buyers should confirm the current registration status and request maintenance records before purchase to avoid post-transfer inspection surprises. This form covers all motor vehicles — cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and pickups.
Free PDF includes a small watermark at the bottom. Remove it for €4.99.
Newfoundland and Labrador Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Tax Details
Newfoundland and Labrador charges 15% HST on private vehicle sales. HST is calculated on the higher of the declared sale price or the Canadian Red Book wholesale value — the same book-value floor used in Nova Scotia. Writing a below-market price on the bill of sale will not reduce HST if the Red Book value is higher.
Exemption: Transfers between immediate family members may qualify for an HST exemption. Contact Service NL for the current statutory declaration requirements.
Inspection Requirements
Newfoundland and Labrador does not require a safety inspection certificate at the time of a private sale. However, the vehicle must pass a safety inspection to be registered. If the current registration is valid and the vehicle was inspected to obtain that registration, the buyer can transfer without a new inspection — but a vehicle that fails inspection after transfer cannot be re-registered until repaired.
Newfoundland and Labrador Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Complete the Transfer section on the back of the existing vehicle registration certificate — both buyer and seller sign
- Prepare a bill of sale recording: full legal names and addresses, VIN, year/make/model, odometer reading, sale price, and date
- Remove your licence plates — Newfoundland and Labrador plates stay with the seller
- Buyer brings signed registration certificate, bill of sale, valid NL driver's licence, and proof of insurance to Service NL Motor Registration Division
- Buyer pays 15% HST — calculated on the higher of declared sale price or Canadian Red Book wholesale value
- Vehicle must be inspectable and registerable in the buyer's name — confirm current registration status before closing
- Both parties retain a signed copy of the bill of sale for at least 6 years
- For trucks and SUVs: note the body type and payload/towing capacity if relevant.
Common Pitfalls
- Overlooking the Red Book floor — NL uses the Canadian Red Book wholesale value as an HST floor. A buyer who negotiated a low price on a high-mileage vehicle may still face HST on a higher Red Book value.
- Plates left on the vehicle — NL plates belong to the seller, not the car. Remove them before handing over the keys.
- Vehicle that cannot pass inspection — while no inspection certificate is required at point of sale, a vehicle in poor mechanical condition may fail inspection and cannot be re-registered by the buyer. Disclose known issues.
- No strict deadline does not mean no urgency — the seller remains the registered owner until transfer is complete. Delays expose the seller to liability for the buyer's actions.
- Out-of-province vehicles require additional checks — confirm with Service NL whether an out-of-province vehicle requires an NL inspection before registration.
- Using a car-specific form for a commercial truck may be rejected — use the generic vehicle bill of sale for commercial vehicles.
Pro Tip
St. John's is the busiest Service NL Motor Registration location, with offices on Kenmount Road and Crosbie Road. Corner Brook serves western Newfoundland. All offices offer walk-in service. With all documents in hand — signed registration certificate, bill of sale, insurance vehicled, and driver's licence — a typical transfer takes 20–35 minutes at the counter.