How to Sell a Car Privately in British Columbia

In British Columbia, ICBC requires the Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T) and the signed vehicle registration to transfer ownership. This checklist covers what the seller does before handoff, what the buyer needs at the Autoplan broker, and how PST and out-of-province inspections fit in.

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 drives the PST calculation at transfer — it should match the number on your bill of sale.
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 based on the purchase price declared on the APV9T — a flat 12% for most private vehicles, with higher rates (15% / 20%) only on luxury vehicles above $125,000 / $150,000. The number on your bill of sale should match.
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.

Additional notes

ICBC calculates PST on the purchase price declared on the APV9T, so keep that number aligned with the bill of sale — mismatches raise questions at the broker and can slow the 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.

Official sources

ICBC — Selling a used vehicle