How to Register a Vehicle in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan operates a mandatory vehicle registration and insurance program. When a vehicle owner purchases licence plate(s), they also purchase a basic package of insurance which includes coverage for damage to their own vehicle subject to a $700 deductible; coverage for personal injury as a result of a vehicle crash; and, liability insurance for damage their vehicle may cause to the property of others or injuries it may cause to other people. The basic liability insurance coverage is in the amount of $200,000.

Vehicle registration and the basic package of insurance can be purchased through one of over 400 SGI motor licence issuers located in communities throughout Saskatchewan.

For more information on auto insurance, you can also call SGI. If you're calling from North America, you can reach SGI through our Customer Service Centre at 1-800-667-9868.

If you wish to purchase additional insurance for your vehicle, for coverage above what is provided with your licence plate(s), there are packages available from SGI CANADA, or many other insurance companies. See your insurance broker for more information or click here.

New vehicle

If you are registering a new vehicle, you must provide the New Vehicle Information Statement (NVIS) which the dealer should have given you. When you purchase a new vehicle be sure to ask the dealer for the NVIS, because you cannot register the vehicle without it.

You also need a bill of sale to register a new vehicle.

A sample bill of sale is available here.

Used vehicle

If you have purchased a used vehicle, and you provide proof that it was last registered in Saskatchewan, the vehicle can be registered in Saskatchewan without a vehicle inspection. If it was previously registered in Saskatchewan, the previous owner will have a transfer of ownership on the certificate of registration. When completed, this may be used as proof of ownership and previous registration in Saskatchewan.

If the vehicle was most recently licensed in another jurisdiction, or if it was a 'total loss,' it must be inspected prior to registration. Your local SGI motor licence issuer can provide details. Some exemptions for commercial vehicles apply.

You also need a bill of sale to register a new vehicle.

A sample bill of sale is available here.

For more information on purchasing a used vehicle, refer to our Used Vehicles Buyer's Guide.

Vehicles from other jurisdictions

When purchasing a vehicle in another province, a temporary insurance card may be purchased in Saskatchewan for the purpose of providing insurance for the newly acquired vehicle. However, you are required to comply with the licensing regulations of the jurisdiction where the vehicle is being purchased.

If you are registering a vehicle in Saskatchewan that was most recently licensed in another jurisdiction, the vehicle must be inspected under the First-Time Registered Vehicle Inspection program. Contact any SGI motor licence issuer for details. Some exemptions for commercial vehicles apply.

Motorists should keep in mind that they won’t be able to register a vehicle that has been designated as “ineligible for registration” in any other province. Before purchasing a vehicle, you have the option of contacting a motor licence issuer and conducting a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) search to check whether a vehicle is eligible for registration in Saskatchewan.

For more information about VIN searches, please click here.

If you move from Saskatchewan

If you move, or you move a vehicle to another jurisdiction, check with the local motor vehicle licensing authorities in that jurisdiction immediately. They will tell you the rules regarding motor vehicle and driver licensing in that jurisdiction. These rules must be followed to ensure your vehicle remains properly licensed and insured.

To cancel your registration, return your licence plate(s) to SGI. If you are required to surrender plate(s) when you register your vehicle in the new jurisdiction, return the notice of surrender which you will receive in exchange for the plate(s). You could be eligible for a refund from SGI.

Send your plate(s) or your notice of surrender and a copy of your proof of insurance from the new jurisdiction along with your contact information, to:

SGI
Auto Fund Division
2260-11th Ave.
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 2N7

Or you can fax us at 1-800-563-5003.

Transfers

When the registered owner of a vehicle acquires a new or used vehicle in Saskatchewan and has sold or traded in a vehicle that displays valid Saskatchewan plate(s), the owner may use the plate(s) from the sold or trade-in vehicle for up to 7 days on the new vehicle, without being required to have a transfer application completed by an issuer. This is valid in Saskatchewan only.

24-hour and 8-day permits

Permits are available from motor licence issuers that allow you to drive an unregistered vehicle for short time periods. Depending on your needs, you can choose a 24-hour permit or an 8-day permit.

The permit gives you insurance coverage provided that the vehicle is driven in Saskatchewan. The 24-hour permit is also recognized up to 16 km beyond the Saskatchewan/Alberta border. However, currently the 8-day permit is not.

Some motor vehicle dealers in the province also make SGI permits available to their customers.

Provincial Sales Tax

Effective Nov. 8, 2007, Provincial Sales Tax (PST) no longer applies to the purchase of eligible used light vehicles on which the tax has been previously paid in full. Eligible light vehicles include cars, SUVs, and trucks and vans one ton or less.

The PST is still required to be paid on:

new vehicles purchased in Saskatchewan;
heavy vehicles, buses, motorcycles, mopeds, motor homes, trailers and snowmobiles;
vehicles purchased or brought in from outside Saskatchewan including those received as a gift (other than settlers’ effects);
vehicles imported by vehicle dealers for sale in Saskatchewan; and
vehicles purchased from a status Indian, an Indian band or the federal government. These vehicles were previously exempt from PST.

If the PST was not paid at the time you purchased a vehicle in one of the above categories, SGI is required to collect it when your vehicle is registered.

The PST program is administered by Saskatchewan Ministry of Finance. SGI collects PST on Saskatchewan Ministry of Finance’s behalf, with the vehicle registration, if it has not already been paid.

You can find out if the Saskatchewan PST is payable on a particular vehicle by using SGI's free online Saskatchewan Damage Claims History Search.

For more information on PST on vehicles, visit Saskatchewan Ministry of Finance’s website: PST On Used Vehicles or call Saskatchewan Ministry of Finance toll free at 1-800-667-6102.

If you move to Saskatchewan

Settler's effects PST exemption

If you are a new resident you may qualify for the settler's effects PST exemption if you meet all of the following requirements:

You have taken up residency in Saskatchewan.
You have been a full time resident outside Saskatchewan for at least the previous six months.
You purchased the vehicle prior to taking up residence in Saskatchewan and the vehicle must have been registered in the previous jurisdiction in their name for at least 30 days prior to moving to Saskatchewan. Or they must present a bill of sale indicating the vehicle was purchased at least 30 days prior to moving to Saskatchewan.
The vehicle must have been a personal use vehicle in the previous jurisdiction and must continue to be a personal use vehicle in Saskatchewan. If the vehicle was jointly registered in another jurisdiction and is being brought into Saskatchewan to be registered in the name of one of the individuals, the vehicle qualifies for settler's effects. A firm's or individual's business assets do not qualify for the settler's effects exemption. Leased vehicles do not qualify for the PST settler's effects exemption.
A farm-plated vehicle (Class F) such as a half ton, van, or SUV may qualify for settler’s effects when the vehicle is primarily used by the registrant for personal use (farm semi’s, trailers, grain trucks, etc. do not qualify).

New residents and leased vehicles

If you are a new resident of Saskatchewan and you have brought your leased vehicle into the province, when you apply for Saskatchewan registration you must provide a letter obtained from your leasing company confirming that Saskatchewan Provincial Sales Tax (PST) is being collected in your leasing fees for the vehicle. If a letter is not provided, PST will be calculated based on the monthly lease charges and the number of lease payments remaining in the lease agreement (which must be presented to the issuer as proof of ownership) and collected at the time of registration.