Temporary Registration

A temporary registration certificate, or "transit", can be issued by the SAAQ or a dealer to allow a vehicle to operate on public roads in Québec for a limited period of time.

Various types of temporary registration certificates can be issued. Here are the most common cases:

  • a vehicle sold by a dealer
  • a stored vehicle purchased by a dealer, a non-resident of Québec or someone else
  • a mechanical inspection
  • a vehicle registered for operation in a location that is not connected to the Québec road network
  • a trip permit for a heavy vehicle

For more information on other situations where you could obtain a temporary registration certificate, consult the Politique sur l'immatriculation temporaire (PDF, 52.6 ko)This file does not meet the Web accessibility standard. (in French only) or phone us.

A temporary registration certificate cannot be issued for:

  • a discarded vehicle, unless a valid mechanical inspection certificate is provided
  • an unregistered hand-crafted vehicle, unless a valid mechanical inspection certificate is provided or the vehicle is a hand-crafted trailer weighing 900 kg or less
  • a severely damaged vehicle, unless a technical compliance certificate and a valid mechanical inspection certificate are provided
  • an unrebuildable vehicle (total loss)
  • an ATV, a snowmobile or any other vehicle not designed for operation on public roads

This means that these vehicles must always be towed or transported to be moved.

Vehicle sold by a dealer

A temporary 10-day registration certificate can be issued by a dealer to allow a vehicle to operate on public roads and be registered at one of our service outlets.

You must affix the certificate on the upper left side of the vehicle's rear window and keep the Attestation de transaction avec un commerçant form that you received from the dealer in the vehicle.

Stored vehicle purchased by a dealer, a non-resident of Québec or someone else

We can issue a temporary 4-day registration certificate if any of the following applies to your vehicle:

  • it is registered to be used exclusively on a private road
  • it has been purchased in Québec by a non-resident
  • it has been stored and now needs to be repaired, modified, weighed, checked or inspected
  • it belongs to a duly licensed dealer
  • it has been sold by a duly licensed dealer or a manufacturer for delivery purposes

To request a 4-day certificate

Come to one of our service outlets and present the following documents:

  • your driver's licence or another official photo ID document

AND

  • one of the following documents:
    • the vehicle registration certificate issued in Québec
    • the vehicle registration certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
    • the Title form or the Salvage Certificate signed by the former owner (if the vehicle comes from the United States) as well as the sales contract or invoice in your name
    • the vehicle registration certificate in the name of the former owner as well as the sales contract or invoice in your name
    • the Description du véhicule neuf form or the Certificate of Origin for a Vehicle
    • the vehicle import form
    • a valid mechanical inspection certificate, if the vehicle has been stored or has not been authorized for road use for more than 12 months

If you cannot come to the service outlet in person

  • If you are an individual, the person who goes to the service outlet to request a temporary registration certificate for you must bring the original of the Power of Attorney (PDF, 298.8 ko) form completed by you.
  • If your business owns the vehicle and none of its directors can be present, the person responsible for requesting the registration certificate must bring the original of a document authorizing that person to act on its behalf.

Mechanical inspection

We can issue a temporary 12-hour registration certificate if:

  • you have invoices or proof demonstrating that the mechanical defect indicated on the mechanical inspection certificate has been repaired
  • the mechanical inspection certificate indicates that a minor defect was not repaired within 48 hours or that neither the SAAQ nor a mechanical inspection centre has verified if your vehicle meets standards
  • your vehicle, which is required to undergo a periodic mechanical inspection, does not have a valid inspection sticker because you did not follow the mechanical inspection calendar

Your vehicle must not:

  • have been discarded
  • have been declared a severely damaged or unrebuildable vehicle

A temporary 12-hour registration certificate cannot be renewed. This registration certificate is issued free of charge.

To request a 12-hour certificate

Go to one of our service outlets and present the following documents:

  • your driver's licence or another official photo ID document
  • the vehicle registration certificate

If you cannot come to the service outlet in person

  • If you are an individual, the person who goes to the service outlet to request a temporary registration certificate for you must bring the original of the Power of Attorney (PDF, 298.8 ko) form completed by you.
  • If your business owns the vehicle and none of its directors can be present, the person responsible for requesting the registration certificate must bring the original of a document authorizing that person to act on its behalf.

Vehicle registered for operation in a location that is not connected to the Québec road network

We can issue a temporary 1-month registration certificate for a passenger vehicleA motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, a moped and a minibus. This vehicle must be owned by a natural person, carry up to 9 occupants (where such transportation does not require a permit from the Commission des transports du Québec), and be used mainly for personal purposes. registered for operation in a location that is not connected to the Québec road network. During that month, the vehicle will be allowed to travel on any public roads.

To request a 1-month certificate

Go to one of our service outlets and present:

  • your driver's licence or another official photo ID document

If you cannot come to the service outlet in person

  • If you are an individual, the person who goes to the service outlet to request a temporary registration certificate for you must bring the original of the Power of Attorney (PDF, 298.8 ko) form completed by you.
  • If your business owns the vehicle and none of its directors can be present, the person responsible for requesting the registration certificate must bring the original of a document authorizing that person to act on its behalf.

Trip permit for a heavy vehicle

If you own a heavy vehicleVehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,500 kg or more, as indicated on the compliance label. registered in another Canadian province or territory, or in the United States, and used for the transportation of goods or passengers in Québec, you must obtain a trip permit.

A trip permit is valid for 10 days and allows the vehicle to be driven through Québec or to go a particular location in Québec and return to the point of origin.

A trip permit is not required if the vehicle is registered under IRP and fees have been paid for Québec.

To request a trip permit

Go to one of our service outlets and present the following documents:

  • your driver's licence or another official photo ID document
  • the vehicle registration certificate or a photocopy of the registration certificate
  • the fuel tax registration number provided by Revenu Québec or the licence issued in accordance with the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)

If you cannot come to the service outlet in person

  • If you are an individual, the person who goes to the service outlet to request a temporary registration certificate for you must bring the original of the Power of Attorney (PDF, 298.8 ko) form completed by you.
  • If your business owns the vehicle and none of its directors can be present, the person responsible for requesting the registration certificate must bring the original of a document authorizing the person to act on its behalf.

Last update: May 16, 2022