Can You Sell a Car Without Registration in British Columbia?
In British Columbia, you can legally sell a vehicle without current registration under specific circumstances, provided you comply with applicable legal requirements and understand the limitations that apply to such transactions.
Legal Framework and Regulations
The legal authority for vehicle registration and sales in British Columbia is established under the Motor Vehicle Act, RSBC 1996, c 318, which governs the requirements for vehicle permits, registration, and ownership transfers. The Act stipulates that while vehicles must be registered for operation on public highways, the sale of unregistered vehicles is permissible under certain conditions.
Section 3(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act requires that vehicle owners must register the motor vehicle with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), obtain a licence for its operation, and obtain an owner's certificate before the vehicle is used or operated on a highway. However, these requirements apply specifically to highway use and do not prohibit private sales of unregistered vehicles when the vehicle will not be immediately operated on public roads.
Under British Columbia law, sellers must provide specific documentation regardless of the vehicle's registration status. Sellers are required to provide the signed vehicle registration document (APV250) and complete a Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T) to facilitate the legal transfer of ownership.
Private Vehicle Sales Without Registration
Permissible Circumstances:
- Private party transactions between individuals where the vehicle is sold for off-road use, parts, or restoration purposes
- Non-operational vehicles being sold exclusively for parts, scrap, or repair without the intention of highway operation
- Vehicles sold for off-highway use where the buyer does not intend to register the vehicle for use on public roads
- Industrial or farm equipment vehicles used exclusively on private property or for agricultural purposes as outlined in Section 2(5) of the Motor Vehicle Act
When selling a vehicle without current registration, sellers must clearly communicate the vehicle's registration status and intended use to buyers. Buyers should be informed that they will be responsible for completing all registration requirements if they intend to operate the vehicle on public highways. The seller must provide the buyer with all available documentation, including the signed vehicle registration portion of the ownership document, even if the registration has expired.
For estate sales involving deceased owners, executors must provide additional documentation including the death certificate, probate documents, and proper authorization to transfer vehicle ownership.
10-Day Registration Grace Period
British Columbia legislation requires that buyers must register the vehicle with ICBC within 10 days of purchase. This mandatory registration period is established under the Motor Vehicle Act and applies to all vehicle purchases where the buyer intends to operate the vehicle on public highways.
During this 10-day period:
- Buyers may transfer licence plates from their previously owned vehicle to the newly purchased vehicle, provided specific conditions are met as outlined in ICBC's plate transfer provisions
- The buyer must carry the signed Transfer/Tax Form, the original registration from the seller, valid insurance papers, and proof of the previous vehicle sale
- Both vehicles must be the same type, and neither can be a leased vehicle
- Vehicles with prorate or restricted plates do not qualify for this grace period
- After 10 days, the vehicle must be properly registered with valid licence plates or removed from public roadways
Buyers must visit an Autoplan broker to complete the registration process, presenting proof of insurance, valid identification, the completed Transfer/Tax Form, the signed vehicle registration, and payment for prescribed fees and taxes. Failure to register within the 10-day period constitutes a violation of provincial vehicle registration requirements under Section 3 of the Motor Vehicle Act.