Registering a New or Used Motorcycle Bought from a Dealer
If you purchase or rent a motorcycle from a motorcycle dealer or other retailer, you must register it at an SAAQ service outlet.
If the model year of the motorcycle is prior to 1981
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.
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).
You must go to one of our service outlets shortly after the delivery of the motorcycle to register it in your name.
If you want a green licence plate for your electric motorcycle, be sure to go to a service outlet that issues that type of licence plate.
Documents required by the SAAQ
- Your driver's licence or another official photo ID document
AND
- If the motorcycle is new:
- the forms entitled Attestation de transaction avec un commerçant and Description du véhicule neuf, provided by the dealer
- If the motorcycle is used:
- the form entitled Attestation de transaction avec un commerçant
AND
- the registration certificate signed by the former owner and the dealer
Before Going to an SAAQ Service Outlet
Call Revenu Québec to find out which documents are necessary for the calculation of QST in the following cases:
- if the vehicle is 25 years old or older (40 years old or older, in the case of a truck)
- if the vehicle is a used luxury vehicle less than 25 years old and not listed in the reference guide used by Revenu Québec (luxury vehicles that are not listed: Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Hummer, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati and Rolls Royce)
- if the vehicle comes from outside Canada
- if the used vehicle is damaged or has unusual wear
If you are under age 18
You must also bring:
- the Consent of a Person Having Parental Authority (PDF, 128.7 KB) form completed by your father, mother or legal guardian
OR
- the form entitled Attestation de transaction avec un commerçant
If you do not have a driver's licence
Phone us to find out what documents you must bring with you when registering your motorcycle.
If you cannot go in person
The person registering the vehicle on your behalf will need to provide:
- the original Power of Attorney (PDF, 657.0 KB) form completed by you
- OR
- the form entitled Attestation de transaction avec un commerçant, provided by the dealer
If the motorcycle is from outside Québec
It is considered to be animported 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 legally operate your vehicle, you must affix your temporary paper licence plate to your vehicle while waiting to receive your metal licence plate in the mail. Your metal plate will be delivered by mail within 10 to 20 business days to the primary address in your SAAQ file.
Your temporary paper licence plate will be issued to you by the service outlet agent. It must be affixed in the top left corner of the windshield or to another visible place on the vehicle.
This video (MP4, 29.8 MB) shows how.
Registration fees
To find out the cost to have a new or used motorcycle bought from a dealer registered, visit the Rates and Fines section. Before receiving your payment notice, you can also use the to get an estimate of the amount you will have to pay to renew your motorcycle registration.
Payment options
At our service outlets, we accept payment:
- in cash
- by Interac (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
If the motorcycle is bought from a dealership, you must pay the GST and QST to the dealer on delivery.
The vehicle registration fee will be higher if…
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:
- your driver's licence or your right to obtain one could be suspended
- all of your vehicles may be prohibited from being put into operation
- you will be fined $325 to $2,800
Last update: July 16, 2025