How to Sell a Car Privately in British Columbia

The British Columbia bill of sale

A bill of sale isn't the primary transfer document in BC — that's the Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T) — but a signed bill of sale is strongly recommended alongside it as a record both parties can point to.

• VIN, year, make, model, and colour
• Sale price and odometer reading
• Both parties' full names, addresses, and signatures
• Date of sale

The APV9T (Transfer/Tax Form) is the document ICBC actually requires — all four pages complete with original signatures. Your bill of sale should match the price declared on the APV9T.

Create your free British Columbia bill of sale

Steps at a glance

1. Price the vehicle and list it for sale.
2. Complete the Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T) with the buyer.
3. Sign over the vehicle registration and remove your plates.
4. Cancel or transfer your ICBC insurance.
5. Visit an Autoplan broker with the buyer to complete the transfer.

Seller checklist (British Columbia)

• Complete the Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T). All four pages must be complete with original signatures from both parties. The sale price you declare here should match the number on your bill of sale, but ICBC may still charge PST on the vehicle's average wholesale value if it's higher than the declared price.
• Provide the signed registration and remove your plates. Give the signed vehicle registration portion to the buyer and remove your licence plates before the buyer drives away. Plates stay with the seller in BC.
• Cancel or transfer your ICBC insurance. Once the sale is signed and plates are off, contact your Autoplan broker to cancel the policy or move coverage to another vehicle. Don't leave insurance running on a vehicle you no longer own.
• Visit an Autoplan broker to complete the transfer. ICBC recommends going to the Autoplan broker together with the buyer to complete the registration transfer. Keep a signed copy of the bill of sale for your records — print two copies so both parties have one.

Buyer steps after the sale

• Arrange insurance through an Autoplan broker before driving the vehicle — ICBC requires insurance at transfer.
• Complete the Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T), sign all pages, and bring the signed vehicle registration, the bill of sale, and ID to the broker.
• Take the registration and APV9T to an Autoplan broker within 10 days of the sale to transfer and register the vehicle — late transfers can attract penalties.
• PST is collected by ICBC at transfer on the greater of the average wholesale value or the purchase price of the vehicle (effective October 1, 2022) — a flat 12% for most private vehicles, with higher rates (15% / 20%) only on luxury vehicles above $125,000 / $150,000. If you believe the wholesale value overstates the vehicle's condition, a Motor Vehicle Appraisal Form (FIN 320) can support a lower value.
• If the vehicle is coming from outside BC, a passed inspection at a Designated Inspection Facility is required before ICBC completes the transfer — budget for cost and timing.

Documents you’ll need

Additional notes

• BC PST bulletin PST 308 confirms PST is calculated on the greater of the vehicle's average wholesale value or the purchase price, not simply the price declared on the APV9T — a common misconception. Keep the bill of sale price accurate, but expect ICBC to compare it to average wholesale value at transfer.
• Out-of-province vehicles need a passed Designated Inspection Facility (DIF) inspection before ICBC will register them. Schedule the inspection before you set a transfer date so it doesn't delay plates and insurance.
• Don't leave insurance running on a vehicle you've sold — contact your broker the same day to cancel or transfer coverage. Liability on a vehicle you no longer drive is unnecessary risk.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• ICBC — Selling a used vehicle
• gov.bc.ca — PST Bulletin 308 (PST on Vehicles)
• gov.bc.ca — Notice 2018-003 (PST rate change, vehicles $125,000+)