Motorcycle Sold Between Individuals
ChangeWhen a motorcycle is sold between individuals, both the buyer and seller must go to an SAAQ service outlet to have the motorcycle registered in the buyer's name.
The motorcycle may be considered a vehicle with restricted-area use. Such a motorcycle may only be operated on roads where the speed limit is 70 km/h or less.
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 the 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 our online service. You will be charged a fee for this service.
Before buying a used motorcycle from an individual, check 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 motorcycle 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:
To obtain a copy of the vehicle record, you can:
It cannot be re-authorized for road use until it has passed a mechanical inspection carried out by a certified business and a valid mechanical inspection certificate has been issued.
The buyer and seller must show their driver's licence or another official photo ID document.
The buyer must also supply the motorcycle's odometer reading.
To find out which documents are necessary for the calculation of QST, call Revenu Québec:
You must also present the Consent of a Person Having Parental Authority (PDF, 123.4 ko) form completed by your father, mother or legal guardian.
Phone us to find out what documents you must bring with you when registering your vehicle.
The person registering the vehicle on your behalf will need to provide the original Power of Attorney (PDF, 224.7 ko) form completed by you beforehand.
It is considered to be an imported vehicle. In that case, there are other documents you have to present so that we can verify whether the motorcycle is authorized for road use in Québec. To find out more, visit the Registering a vehicle from outside Québec web page.
To find out the cost to have a motorcycle sold between individuals registered, visit the Rates and Fines section.
At our service outlets, we accept payment:
Payment by credit card is not accepted.
At the time of registration, you are required to pay the QST, even in the case of a used vehicle. The SAAQ collects the QST on the agreed selling price or the estimated value of the vehicle, whichever is greater.
The buyer does not have to pay the GST because the sale is between individuals.
The motorcycle is considered a high-risk motorcycle, that is, a motorcycle designed for performance and recognized as such by its manufacturer.
You must have a civil liability insurance policy contracted from a private insurer providing minimum coverage of $50,000.
If you are not insured and you are pulled over by the police or involved in a traffic accident that causes more than $500 in damage to the property of another party:
The seller remains the owner and person liable for the motorcycle until...
The motorcycle is registered in the buyer's name.
This means that should the buyer commit an offence or be involved in an accident with a motorcycle that is still registered in the seller's name, it is the seller who would be held responsible.
Last update: October 26, 2022
