Registering a Truck Weighing Over 3,000 Kg
You must register your truck weighing over 3,000 kg at an SAAQ service outlet.
A A road vehicle having a net weight of more than 3,000 kg, designed and outfitted primarily for freight transport or for carrying equipment that is permanently attached to the vehicle. However, a 2-axle road vehicle with a net weight of 4,000 kg or less is not considered to be a truck if it is not used for commercial or employment-related purposes, is owned by a natural person, is equipped with a separate enclosed cab and has (or originally had) an open truck box and tailgate. is a vehicle with a net weight of more than 3,000 kg, designed or outfitted primarily for freight transport or for carrying equipment permanently attached to it.
It may belong to an individual or a business.
This vehicle category also includes military-type vehicles weighing more than 3,000 kg, provided:
- they have the same configuration as road vehicles intended for use on public roads
- they have the equipment required to be compliant for road use
- they are equipped with tires and not tracks
- they have undergone an inspection by an engineer who is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (this inspection is not required for vehicles registered for restricted use)
- after having received a favourable report from an engineer, they have undergone a mechanical inspection and been declared compliant.
However, A 2-axle road vehicle with a net weight between 3,000 and 4,000 kg owned by an individual, which is not used for commercial or employment-related purposes, and is equipped with a separate enclosed cab and has (or originally had) an open truck box and tailgate. used for personal purposes that have two axles and a net weight of more than 3,000 kg but less than 4,000 kg are considered passenger vehicles. Refer to the procedure to register such vehicles.
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).
Registration in the Registraire des entreprises (enterprise register)
If the truck is to be used for your business, the business must be registered in the Registraire des entreprises (REQ). You can then provide your Québec enterprise number (NEQ) when you register your truck.
Registration with the commission des transports du québec
If the truck's A vehicle's weight, including its maximum load capacity, according to the manufacturer's specifications. is 4,500 kg or more and the truck is used for commercial purposes, you must be registered in the register of owners and operators of heavy vehicles of the Commission des transports du Québec .
If you are not registered with the CTQ, you can still register your truck, but you cannot put it into operation.
Mechanical inspection
If the truck is a used vehicle, the most recent mechanical inspection must have been performed:
- within the past 12 months for all trucks weighing more than 3,000 kg
- within the past 6 months for trucks weighing more than 3,000 kg used by a driving school
You must present the mechanical inspection certificate confirming that the vehicle meets the applicable standards when you register your truck.
If the Truck Is Prohibited From Being Put Into Operation or Has Been in Storage for One Year or Longer
It cannot be put back into operation until it has undergone a mechanical inspection carried out by a road vehicle inspection agent authorized by the SAAQ and a mechanical inspection certificate has been issued confirming that the vehicle meets the applicable standards.
When acquiring a truck that has been in storage, the date as of which a mechanical inspection becomes required is based on the date the former owner put the vehicle into storage.
Documents required
The buyer and the seller must present their driver's licence or another official photo ID document.
If the truck is new
You must present the Attestation de transaction avec un commerçant and Description du véhicule neuf forms that you received from the dealer.
If the truck is used
The documents you must present when you register your truck are different depending on the person or business you bought it from. In all cases, you must indicate:
- the truck's odometer reading
- the maximum number of axles on a combination of road vehicles
| Bought from a dealership | 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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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 do not have a driver's licence
Phone us to find out what documents you must bring with you when registering your truck.
If you cannot come to the service outlet in person
If your business owns the truck, the person who goes to the service outlet to register it must present the original of a power of attorney to act on behalf of the business.
If you are an individual, the person who goes to the service outlet to register the truck for you must bring the original of the Power of Attorney (PDF, 657.0 KB) form completed by you.
If your truck travels outside Québec
Check to see whether the vehicle or combination of road vehicles qualifies for the International Registration Plan(IRP).
If the truck is from outside Québec
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 vehicle is authorized for road use in Québec. To find out more, visit the Registering a vehicle from outside Québec web page.
Registration fees
To find out the cost to have a truck weighing over 3,000 kg 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 truck is new or used, you must pay the GST and QST if you buy it from a dealership, business or self-employed worker registered for the GST and QST.
For more information, phone Revenu Québec .
If the vehicle is purchased from an individual, you are only required to pay the QST.
Before going to an SAAQ service outlet
Call Revenu Québec if the truck was manufactured more than 40 years ago.
You must have a civil liability insurance policy contracted from a private insurer providing minimum coverage of $50,000. The minimum is $1 million if you are a carrier and $2 million if you haul hazardous materials.
If you are not insured and you are 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 road use
- you will be fined $325 to $2,800 or, if you are a carrier, $750 to $7,300
Last update: June 26, 2025