Steps for selling a used vehicle

All newly purchased vehicles must be registered in the name of the licence holder at an Autoplan broker within 10 days of purchase. The Motor Vehicle Act requires the buyer (“transferee”) to register the vehicle with ICBC within 10 days, along with payment of prescribed fees and taxes on the sale. 

1. Confirm you’re the registered owner 

To ensure a smooth sale and transfer of vehicle ownership, make sure the vehicle is properly registered to you and you’re able to provide the signed registration document (APV250) proving you’re the registered owner. 

If you aren’t the registered owner, don’t have proof of documentation or the vehicle's registered owner has passed away, you may still be able to register the vehicle in your name prior to sale. Talk to your Autoplan broker about your next steps.

2. Prepare your vehicle for sale

• Research the value of your vehicle by comparing it to other vehicles for sale online and in newspapers. You can also ask mechanics how much they would pay for it. 

• Gather all receipts for after-market purchases, maintenance and repairs to show potential buyers.  

• Buy a vehicle history report to show potential buyers. 

• Get an optional pre-purchase inspection done on your vehicle.

• Clean your vehicle inside and out. 

• If the vehicle is currently uninsured and unlicensed, pick up a Temporary Operating Permit from any Autoplan broker. 

3. Advertise that the vehicle is for sale

• Advertise your vehicle for sale online and in local newspapers 

• Put a For Sale sign in your vehicle 

• Tell your friends, family and neighbours 

• Posting notices at your local community centre, library or university 

4. Protect yourself from scams 

If you're inviting potential buyers to your home to look at the vehicle, it's a good idea to have someone with you. 

When it's time to sell, we recommend accepting only cash or a bank draft — not a personal cheque. We also recommend that you verify any bank drafts at the issuing financial institution before finalizing a transaction. 

We strongly recommend going to an Autoplan broker with the buyer to ensure that the registration transfer is processed in a timely manner and that your name and any associated insurance and licences are removed from the vehicle registration record.  

This is important for avoiding any possible liability claims associated with the buyer’s use of the vehicle. If you cannot visit the Autoplan broker with the buyer, keep copies of all related documentation (with original signatures from both you and the buyer) for your records.   

5. Gather the necessary documents

To officially transfer ownership, you'll need to provide the following to an Autoplan broker: 

• Your original signed insurance and vehicle registration. The insurance and registration are actually two parts of the same document (APV250). You need both parts. 

• A Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T) , which you can download and complete using Acrobat Reader. You can also get a copy from any Autoplan broker. Please note that all four pages must be complete and original signatures are still required. 

• Note: if you are transferring your existing insurance policy to another vehicle, you must include the odometer reading of the vehicle you are selling to determine your eligibility for a usage-based discount. You will also need to provide the odometer reading of the vehicle the policy is transferred to. 

6. Transfer ownership

• Remove your licence plates from the vehicle you're selling. 

• Remove your insurance and registration. The insurance and registration are actually two parts of the same document (APV250). Tear off (carefully please!) the bottom, signed vehicle registration portion and give it to the buyer. 

• After you've been paid, fill out and sign the Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T) in full if you haven’t already. Don't forget, each of the four pages must have original signatures. 

• Bring the registration and Transfer/Tax Form to an Autoplan broker. We strongly recommend going with the buyer to ensure that the registration transfer is processed in a timely manner and that your name and any insurance and licence products are removed from the vehicle registration record.  

  • This is important in avoiding any possible liability claims associated with the future operation of the vehicle by the buyer. If you cannot visit the Autoplan broker with the buyer, keep a copy (with original signatures from both you and the buyer) for your records. 

• Remember to cancel your insurance or transfer it to a new vehicle.  

Court-ordered vehicle transfers

If a court orders a transfer of vehicle ownership and one or more owners have not signed the Transfer/Tax form, ICBC requires that the court order must include:

• A specific direction or authorization for ICBC to transfer vehicle ownership without the signature(s) of certain owner(s); and

• The vehicle description (make, model and Vehicle Identification Number)

The vehicle recipient(s) named in the court order must attend an Autoplan broker’s office to process the transfer of ownership into their name.

If you have questions about a court-ordered transfer of vehicle ownership, talk to your Autoplan broker.

Using plates from your old vehicle for up to 10 days 

If you have a new vehicle, you can drive it using the licence plates from your old one for 10 days from the purchase date if all the following conditions are met: 

• The vehicle you're switching plates to is registered in B.C. (or was purchased from a licensed B.C. auto dealer) 

• You have sold or otherwise disposed of your old vehicle 

• Both vehicles are the same type (for example, passenger vehicles) 

• The licence plates are valid B.C. plates 

• Neither your "old" or "new" vehicle is a leased vehicle 

Prorate and restricted plates

Vehicles with "prorate" and "restricted" plates do not qualify for this 10-day grace period.

If any of these conditions are not met, contact an Autoplan broker to find out how to properly license your vehicle. 

For the 10 days, keep the following in your vehicle: 

• The signed Transfer/Tax Form for your new vehicle 

• The original registration from the seller  

• The valid insurance papers for your old vehicle  

• Proof, such as the "seller's" copy of the Transfer/Tax Form, that you sold your old vehicle. 

Plates must be returned to ICBC

When ICBC issues licence plates to you, they remain the property of ICBC at all times. It is an offence to allow another person to use your number plate on a different vehicle, and the sale of licence plates is strictly prohibited. If you no longer need your plates, they must be returned to ICBC or an Autoplan broker.

Temporary Operation Permit

Is your vehicle currently uninsured and unlicensed? You'll need a Temporary Operation Permit from any Autoplan broker, so potential buyers can take the vehicle for a test drive.

Need more information?

Please speak to your Autoplan broker.