How to Sell a Car Privately in New Brunswick

Service New Brunswick requires the signed registration certificate and an acceptable bill of sale to transfer ownership. This checklist covers what the seller signs, the unusual plate-with-vehicle rule, and what the buyer needs at Service NB.

Seller checklist (New Brunswick)

Sign the registration certificate for transfer. The registered owner must sign both the front and reverse of the registration certificate for a transfer — Service New Brunswick won't complete the transfer without both signatures.
Know the plate rule for private sales. Unlike most provinces, the licence plate stays with the vehicle on a private sale in New Brunswick — unless it's a personalized plate, which stays with the seller. Confirm with the buyer which case applies before completing the sale.
Write and sign an acceptable bill of sale. Include the VIN, year/make/model, sale price, date of sale, and both parties' names, addresses, and signatures. Provincial Vehicle Tax (PVT) at 15% — not HST — applies on private sales in NB, so the number on the bill of sale should match what the buyer declares at Service NB.
Cancel or transfer your insurance. Once the sale is signed and the plate has moved (or stayed, depending on the plate rule), contact your insurer to cancel or transfer coverage so policy doesn't keep running on a vehicle you no longer own.

Buyer steps after the sale

Arrange valid insurance before driving the vehicle — Service NB requires proof of insurance at transfer.
Bring the current registration (signed by the seller), an acceptable bill of sale, proof of valid insurance, and government-issued ID to register the vehicle.
The purchaser's name and address must be provided on the transfer document.
Provincial Vehicle Tax (PVT) at 15% — not HST — is collected on private vehicle sales in New Brunswick. Budget for it on top of the sale price.

Additional notes

The plate-with-vehicle rule catches a lot of buyers and sellers off guard because it's the opposite of most provinces. Confirm up front whether the plate is personalized (stays with seller) or standard (stays with vehicle).
Private vehicle sales in NB are subject to Provincial Vehicle Tax (PVT) at 15%, not HST (HST applies only to dealer purchases). Keep the price on the bill of sale accurate so buyer and seller have the same number on record at transfer.
Cancel or transfer your insurance the same day as the sale — New Brunswick has strict uninsured-vehicle enforcement, and gaps in coverage on a sold vehicle are needless liability.

Official sources

New Brunswick — Motor vehicle registration