Registration in Quebec runs through the SAAQ, and buying from a dealer makes it markedly simpler than a private sale. Here is the sequence.
What the dealer does
Buying from a dealer, the registration is normally completed at delivery. If the dealer uses SAAQ online services, you avoid a trip to a service outlet entirely. Otherwise you get a temporary registration certificate and complete it at an SAAQ outlet.
What you bring
- Your valid Quebec driver's licence or other official photo ID
- Proof of liability insurance
- If registering at an SAAQ outlet rather than with the dealer: the transaction attestation form plus the registration certificate signed by the previous owner and the dealer
Plates and timing
Register in your name promptly after delivery. Fit the temporary paper plate right away; the permanent plate is mailed to the primary address on your file, typically within about ten to twenty business days.
What it costs
Annual registration for a standard passenger vehicle runs a little over $200 in most regions, made up of registration rights, the SAAQ insurance contribution and administrative fees, with lower totals in outlying regions. There is also a small transaction fee, and a new plate costs slightly more than reusing one.
Two surcharges catch people out. Vehicles seven years old or newer valued above $40,000 carry an additional 1% on the amount above that threshold, and it applies to used vehicles too, every year. Large-displacement engines of roughly 4.0 litres and up carry both an annual surcharge and a one-time acquisition charge. If you are shopping a big V8 or a recent luxury vehicle, budget for these before you buy, not after.
Rates are set annually, so confirm current figures on the SAAQ site.
Insurance before you drive away
Bodily injury coverage comes through Quebec's public plan, but liability and damage coverage for the vehicle is private and mandatory. Call your insurer with the vehicle identification number before pickup day; most will bind coverage in minutes.
The winter tire rule for new buyers
Winter tires are mandatory in Quebec from 1 December to 15 March on every vehicle registered here, with fines from $200 to $300. There is one exemption worth knowing if you are buying in December: a vehicle within seven days of purchase is exempt, which gives you a week to get tires fitted. Do not treat that week as optional.
Keep the paperwork
Keep the bill of sale, the registration certificate and the warranty details together. You will want them for insurance, for your own records, and when you eventually sell or trade the car.
Next: the full guide to buying used in Quebec · browse our inventory
Information on this page reflects Quebec rules as of August 2026 and is provided for general guidance only. It is not legal or financial advice. Rules and fees change; confirm current details with the Office de la protection du consommateur, SAAQ or Revenu Québec.