Alberta Bill of Sale & Private Car Sale Checklist

Alberta requires a standard bill of sale for private vehicle transfers. This checklist covers what the seller does before handoff and what the buyer needs at the registry agent, including insurance, plates, and the fact that Alberta doesn't charge provincial sales tax on private vehicle sales.

The Alberta bill of sale

Alberta requires a standard bill of sale for private vehicle transfers — it's the document a registry agent uses to move the vehicle into the buyer's name.

Full names and addresses of buyer and seller
VIN, make, model, year, and colour
Sale price and the odometer reading at the time of sale
Signatures from both parties
Optional: phone numbers, witness signatures, lien and payment terms

Alberta.ca's standard bill of sale lists these optional fields as worth filling in for your own records.

Create your free Alberta bill of sale

Steps at a glance

Price the vehicle and list it for sale.
Meet the buyer safely and let them inspect or test-drive the vehicle.
Complete and sign the standard Alberta bill of sale.
Remove your licence plates before the buyer drives away.
Cancel or transfer your insurance.
Give the buyer the signed bill of sale so they can register at a registry agent.

Seller checklist (Alberta)

Complete the standard Alberta bill of sale. Include full names and addresses of buyer and seller, VIN, make/model/year/colour, the sale price, the odometer reading at the time of sale, and signatures from both parties. Alberta.ca's standard bill of sale lists optional fields (phone numbers, witness signatures, lien and payment terms) that are worth filling in for your own records.
Remove your licence plates before the buyer drives away. In Alberta, plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle. Take them off before the buyer leaves. The buyer gets new plates from the registry when they register the vehicle in their name.
Cancel or transfer your insurance. Once you've signed over the vehicle and removed your plates, contact your insurer to cancel the policy or move coverage to another vehicle. Don't leave the policy running on a vehicle you no longer own.
Give the buyer a signed bill of sale plus any supporting documents. The buyer needs the signed bill of sale to register the vehicle at a registry agent. Keep a signed copy for yourself — print two copies so both parties have one.

Buyer steps after the sale

Arrange insurance before driving the vehicle — Alberta registry agents require proof of insurance at the transfer.
Bring the signed bill of sale, government-issued ID, and proof of insurance to any registry agent to transfer the registration and get plates.
Alberta registry agents run a lien search (PPSA) as part of the transfer — if a lien turns up, the transfer can't complete until it's discharged.
No provincial sales tax applies to private vehicle sales in Alberta. GST does not apply on private-to-private sales either.

Documents you’ll need

Document	Where to get it	Cost
Bill of sale	Create free with AutoBill, or use Alberta.ca's standard bill of sale	Free
Registration certificate	Buyer completes at any registry agent	Registry agent fee applies

Additional notes

Alberta doesn't require a safety inspection for most private transfers, but buyers often request an independent pre-purchase inspection — especially for out-of-province vehicles, which may need an out-of-province inspection before registering.
Alberta has no provincial sales tax on private vehicle sales, but keep the price on the bill of sale accurate — it's the primary record if there's a dispute, an insurance claim, or a later lien question.
Alberta.ca lists optional bill-of-sale details (phone numbers, witness signatures, lien information, payment terms) that are worth filling in when money is staged or the buyer is taking delivery later.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay GST when registering a vehicle from a private sale in Alberta?

No. GST does not apply to private-to-private vehicle sales — it only applies when you buy from a GST-registered dealer. Alberta also has no provincial sales tax, so most private sales are tax-free at the registry.

Is a safety inspection required to sell a car privately in Alberta?

Alberta doesn't require a safety inspection for most private transfers. Buyers sometimes arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection, and out-of-province vehicles may need an out-of-province inspection before registering.

Do licence plates stay with the car in Alberta?

No. In Alberta, plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle. Remove them before the buyer drives away — the buyer gets new plates when they register the vehicle in their name.

Is a bill of sale required to sell a car privately in Alberta?

Yes. Alberta requires a standard bill of sale for private vehicle transfers, with full names and addresses, VIN, vehicle details, sale price, odometer reading, and both parties' signatures.

How to Sell a Car Privately in Alberta