Newfoundland and Labrador
To complete an ownership change on a vehicle in Newfoundland and Labrador, it must pass a safety inspection at one of the province’s approved official inspection stations. An exception exists for vehicles being given to immediate family members as gifts.
Nova Scotia
An inspection is required every two years on any vehicle that’s at least three years old in Nova Scotia, regardless of whether it’s changing ownership. If a used car is being bought from a dealer, it’s up to that dealer to make sure the vehicle has passed inspection within 30 days of the sale date, unless the buyer agrees in writing to purchase it as is. For a private sale, an inspection must be passed before ownership can be transferred unless both parties agree in writing to transfer the vehicle as is. However, the vehicle will need to pass inspection before it can be registered, so it’s in the buyer’s best interests to complete that step before the sale is finalized. Vehicle ownership being transferred between immediate family members is exempt. Due to an agreement with the neighbouring provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, certificates acquired in those provinces are valid in Nova Scotia until their expiry date.
Prince Edward Island
P.E.I. is the only province in Canada where inspections on all vehicles are required annually. To complete a transfer of ownership, the most recent vehicle inspection form must be submitted with the rest of the needed documentation. As part of the interprovincial agreement with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, inspection certificates from those provinces are valid in P.E.I. until they expire or 12 months from issue, whichever is sooner.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick requires registered vehicles to pass inspection every two years. To complete a change of ownership, the current inspection certificate must be valid. Certificates acquired in Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island remain valid until they expire.
