You must be a Manitoba resident and at least 16 years of age to register a personal vehicle in Manitoba. (If you’re under 18 years of age, you’ll need written consent from your parents or legal guardians.)
You’ll need documents to show you own the vehicle and that it meets basic standards for operation. These requirements vary, depending if you bought the vehicle in a private sale, from a dealer, or from outside Manitoba.
Register a vehicle bought privately
To register a vehicle you have bought privately in Manitoba, you’ll need the following:
- Bill of Sale that states: date purchased, vehicle’s model year, make, model and serial number; purchase price; purchaser’s name(s); seller’s name(s); purchaser’s signature(s), and seller’s signature(s).
- A signed Transfer of Ownership Document from the previous owner.
- Valid Certificate of Inspection issued by a Manitoba vehicle inspection station.
Register a vehicle from a dealer
To register a brand new vehicle, you’ll need:
- New Vehicle Information Statement (NVIS) if the vehicle is brand new.
- Bill of Sale that states: date purchased; vehicle’s model year, make, model and serial number (VIN); purchase price; purchaser’s name(s) and signature(s); seller’s name(s) and signature(s).
To register a used vehicle, you’ll need:
- Bill of Sale that states: date purchased; vehicle’s model year, make, model and serial number (VIN); purchase price; purchaser’s name(s) and signature(s); seller’s name(s) and signature(s).
- A signed Transfer of Ownership Document from the previous owner.
- Valid Certificate of Inspection issued by a Manitoba vehicle inspection station.
Note that when you buy a used vehicle from an authorized dealer in Manitoba, you must purchase Autopac coverage before you drive the vehicle.
Purchasing outside Manitoba
You’ll need a Temporary Registration Permit to bring your vehicle into Manitoba. Once in Manitoba, you’ll need the documentation outlined above to register your vehicle.
We accept a valid COI from government-approved inspection programs in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. All other provinces, territories and U.S. states are unacceptable.
United States
If imported from the U.S., a Vehicle Import Form is required from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). See information on CBSA requirements.
Note, if you purchase a vehicle in the U.S., a New Vehicle Information Statement is called a ‘certificate of origin’ and a Transfer of Ownership is called a “certificate of title”.
When you must register
Private purchases
Usually, you’ll have to register and insure your newly purchased vehicle before you drive it. Check with MPI or an Autopac agent before driving the vehicle to be sure you have the necessary coverage.
You can transfer the licence plates from your currently registered vehicle to your newly acquired vehicle when:
- both vehicles are in the same registration class
- you’ve disposed of the registered vehicle
If you dispose of your old vehicle, you have seven days after the day you disposed of your old vehicle to register your replacement vehicle. For this seven-day period, the same coverage on your old vehicle applies to your new one. For example, if your old vehicle was a motor home or a motorcycle, the declared value limit will carry over to your newly acquired vehicle. The declared value limit is the most you’ll get if your new motor home or motorcycle is written off.
If the coverage on your old vehicle is insufficient for your newly acquired one, it’s better to re-register and insure your new vehicle immediately with all the correct coverage limits. Talk to an Autopac agent.
If you are relying on the seven-day grace period, always carry documents in your vehicle showing the sale of your old vehicle and the purchase of your new one.
When your replacement vehicle is in a different registration class, you must report the change to an Autopac outlet before driving the vehicle. You’ll receive a new registration card and new plates, or a special sticker to put on your current plates.
Dealer purchases
When you buy a used vehicle from an authorized dealer in Manitoba, you must purchase Autopac coverage before you drive the vehicle. See information on Interim Registration Permits.
Out-of-province students
If you are a full-time student in Manitoba from out-of-province, your vehicle does not have to be registered in Manitoba if it is currently registered and insured in another jurisdiction. However, you will need to obtain a student sticker after providing proof that you are a full-time student and have valid vehicle registration and insurance.
For a student sticker to be issued, please provide the following documentation to at any MPI Service Centre:
- A document from your educational institution confirming that you are a full-time student and the beginning and end dates of your study period.
- A copy of your vehicle registration and insurance card.
- A payment of $2 is required for the issuance of the sticker.
New Manitoba residents
New residents must obtain Manitoba registration and insurance within three months of becoming a resident if the vehicle is a passenger car-type (including vans), or truck with a gross weight, including load, not exceeding 3,700 kilograms. These vehicles may not be used for the commercial transportation of goods and people.
New residents need to obtain Manitoba registration and insurance as soon as possible for all other vehicle types. Until then, your vehicle needs to be properly registered for the current registration year in your previous jurisdiction.
Vehicle registration and insurance need to be purchased together as a vehicle must be both registered and insured in Manitoba. You can obtain both services from any insurance agent displaying an Autopac sign.