Tool Vehicle
A business that owns a tool vehicle must have it registered at an SAAQ service outlet.
The following is a partial list of vehicles considered to be tool vehicles:
- graders
- back loaders
- mobile cranes
- power shovels
- backhoe loaders
- snow blowers
- street sweepers that are not mounted on a truck chassis
If you only use a tool vehicle a few months a year, you may put it in storage. You may be entitled to a partial reimbursement of the registration fees, depending on when you put the vehicle into storage.
If you are a farmer, you are not required to register your farm machinery, except for the farm tractor used in the operation of your farm. For more information on the steps to have your farm tractor registered, visit Registering a Farm Tractor.
The vehicle cannot be registered…
If the buyer or the seller has an unpaid fine for an offence under the Highway Safety Code or under a municipal traffic or parking bylaw.
The Bureau des infractions et amendes and municipal courts are responsible for collecting fines. You cannot pay a fine at an SAAQ service outlet.
To check whether the vehicle can be registered, you can use SAAQclic . You can also use our automated telephone services by calling 1-800-361-7620 (choose option 4, then option 5, then option 4 again).
To register a tool vehicle to a business
The business must be registered with the Registraire des entreprises (enterprise register), because you need to provide your Québec enterprise number (NEQ) to register your tool vehicle.
To avoid unpleasant surprises
Before buying a used tool vehicle, check with the Registre des droits personnels et réels mobiliers (register of personal and movable real rights—in French only) to make sure it is free of debt. If you buy a vehicle that has not been paid for in full, it can be seized by the creditor.
You can also request a copy of the vehicle record from the SAAQ to find out:
- how many people have owned it
- how it has been used
To obtain a copy of the vehicle record, you can:
- go to one of our service outlets
- submit the Vehicle Record Request (PDF, 218.5 KB) form
Documents required
The buyer and the seller or their representatives–must present their driver's licence or another official photo ID document.
If the tool vehicle is new
The buyer must present the Attestation de transaction avec un commerçant form given by the dealer.
If the tool vehicle is used
The documents you must present when you register your tool vehicle are different depending on the person or business selling the vehicle.
| Bought from a dealership | Bought from an individual | Bought from a business or a self-employed worker A business or self-employed worker that is registered for and collects the GST and QST. For more information, phone Revenu Québec. |
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If the person registering the vehicle does not have a driver's licence
Phone us to find out what documents to bring when registering the tool vehicle.
If none of the business's directors can come to the service outlet in person
The person registering the vehicle will have to present the original copy of a document authorizing that person to act on its behalf.
If the vehicle comes from outside Québec
A vehicle from outside Québec is considered to be an imported vehicle, which means there are other documents the buyer will have to provide so that we can verify whether the vehicle can be used in Québec. Refer to Registering a vehicle from outside Québec section for more information.
Registration fees
To find out the cost to have a tool vehicle registered, visit the Rates and Fines section.
Payment options
At our service outlets, we accept payment:
- in cash
- by debit card (not available at some service outlets)
- by one or more pre-authorized debits (a cheque specimen must be provided)
- by cheque or money order
Payment by credit card is not accepted.
Payment of the GST and QST
Whether the tool vehicle is new or used, the buyer must pay the GST and QST if the vehicle is bought from a dealership, business or self-employed worker registered for the GST and QST.
For more information, phone Revenu Québec .
If the tool vehicle is purchased from an individual, the buyer is only required to pay the QST.
It is important to check whether you are allowed to install flashing or rotating lights on a tool vehicle.
Last update: February 17, 2026