Free Quebec Trailer Bill of Sale
Selling a trailer in Quebec follows the SAAQ process for all registered vehicles: the buyer and seller complete the transfer at an SAAQ service outlet (trailers cannot use SAAQclic), and the buyer pays QST at 9.975%. One key Quebec rule applies to trailers as well: the licence plate stays with the seller unless the seller chooses to transfer it. Very light trailers may be exempt from SAAQ registration entirely — if your trailer is under the registration threshold, the bill of sale alone transfers ownership.
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Quebec Trailer Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Tax Details
QST at 9.975% applies to private trailer sales in Quebec. Assessed on the higher of the declared sale price or the estimated value; a vehicle not listed in the value guide is usually taxed on the agreed price.
Exemption: Agricultural trailers used exclusively for farming may be eligible for QST relief. Confirm with Revenu Québec.
Inspection Requirements
No mandatory pre-sale safety inspection for private trailer sales in Quebec. Buyers should inspect the coupler, safety chains, lights, tires, and brakes (if equipped) before purchase.
Quebec Trailer Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Confirm whether the trailer requires SAAQ registration based on its GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) — check saaq.gouv.qc.ca or call SAAQ.
- If registration is required, both parties complete the transfer at an SAAQ service outlet, with photo ID.
- Prepare a detailed bill of sale: trailer make, model, year, type (utility, cargo, boat, snowmobile, etc.), VIN, GVWR, and sale price.
- Decide before the sale whether the seller keeps the licence plate (Quebec default) or transfers it to the buyer.
- Inspect all safety equipment: lights, brakes (if equipped), coupler and safety chains, tires, and load-securing points.
- Buyer completes the SAAQ transfer (for registered trailers) and pays 9.975% QST.
- Both parties retain signed copies of the bill of sale.
Common Pitfalls
- Plate confusion: as with cars, a Quebec plate stays with the seller unless the seller chooses to transfer it. Sellers who want to reuse the plate on another trailer should remove it before the handover.
- Skipping registration check: selling a trailer as registered when it is exempt (or vice versa) creates problems at SAAQ. Confirm the trailer's registration status before listing.
- Incomplete VIN documentation: trailer VINs are sometimes hard to find (stamped on the tongue or frame rail). Locate and record it before the sale — SAAQ requires it for registered trailers.
- Missing safety chain and light documentation: a trailer sold without working lights or safety chains may fail the buyer's SAAQ registration inspection if one is required, leading to post-sale disputes.
Pro Tip
Trailer sales in Quebec are straightforward once you have confirmed the registration requirement. For registered trailers, the SAAQ transfer plus a detailed bill of sale covers you. For unregistered trailers, the bill of sale alone is sufficient but must be thorough. Either way, sort out the plate question before the handover — remove yours if you want to keep them, or confirm in writing that they are included in the sale.