Frequently Asked Questions: Used Vehicle Information Packages
- What is a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP)?
- Is the UVIP required for all sales and transfers?
- What do I need to order a UVIP?
- I already bought my car. Why do I need a UVIP?
- Is there a penalty to the vehicle seller if the UVIP is not provided to the purchaser at the time of sale?
- How can I find out about the Red Book value for my car?
- The UVIP provides an average wholesale and average retail value for the vehicle. Which value is used for determining the amount of retail sales tax payable?
- Why does the UVIP not include information about a vehicle's history from other provinces?
- When will I get my used vehicle information package?
- I recently purchased a UVIP over the Internet and realized some of the information about the vehicle is not correct. What can I do?
- I recently purchased a UVIP over the Internet and realized that it is going to be mailed to me at a later date. What can I do to get it immediately?
- Can a damaged UVIP be accepted for transfer purposes?
- For how long is the UVIP valid?
- Can a vehicle still be transferred if the UVIP indicates that a lien is registered against the vehicle?
- Does the UVIP offer any protection to a vehicle purchaser if a lien is registered against the vehicle after the package is purchased?
1. What is a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP)?
The Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) contains vehicle registration history in Ontario, including all present and previous owners in Ontario as well as the municipality of residence, vehicle lien information (if there are any liens registered on the vehicle), odometer reading on file (if available), the fair market value (Red Book) on which the minimum tax payable will apply and other information such as consumer tips, vehicle safety standards inspection, retail sales tax information and forms for bills of sale.
The private seller of a used motor vehicle is required to purchase a UVIP. For most transfers of vehicles between private sellers, a UVIP is mandatory. Unless the types of vehicle and transfer situations are exempt, the seller is required to supply the purchaser with this package at the time of sale. The purchaser must then present the UVIP to the Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office when transferring the vehicle registration. For more information visit Ministry of Transportation website.
2. Is the UVIP required for all sales and transfers?
No. The following situations are exempt:
Business-related:
- Registered motor vehicle dealers
- Multiple transfers (2 or more) between corporations
- TTA and taxi licensing
- Corporation to shareholder
- Transfers of wrecked/stolen vehicles to insurance companies
- Transfers of repossessed vehicles
Family-related:
- Gifts between linear family members. Linear family members have been defined as father, mother, stepmother, stepfather, spouse, grandfather, grandmother, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, step-grandson, step-granddaughter, grandson, granddaughter, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law. As of July 1, 2010 this definition now includes siblings which include half-siblings, adopted siblings, and siblings-in-law.
- Spouses
- Same-sex partners
- Family breakdowns, separation or divorce decree
- Estate bequests
Other:
- Imported vehicles from other jurisdictions
- Donations to licensed charitable organizations or religious, charitable or benevolent organizations as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)
- Sales/transfers to a hospital, local service board, municipality, school board, university or college
- Registered lotteries and raffles
- Cancelled sales
- Sales to municipalities
For further information on possible exemptions, please contact the ministry at 1-800-387-3445 (toll free in Canada) or in the GTA at (416) 235-2999.
3. What do I need to order a UVIP?
You will need to provide your driver's licence number or registrant identification number. If you don't have a driver's licence or registrant identification number, you can provide your name and address. You will also need the vehicle identification number or licence plate number of the vehicle.
4. I already bought my car. Why do I need a UVIP?
On October 4, 1993, the UVIP became mandatory on the private sales of the following vehicles and must be presented at the time of transfer of vehicle ownership:
- Passenger vehicles
- Light trucks (registered gross weight of 3000 kg or less)
- Vans
- Motorcycles
- Motorized mobile homes
The UVIP is not mandatory for:
- Heavy commercial trucks (registered gross weight more than 3000kg)
- Buses/school buses
- Mopeds
- Trailers
- Snowmobiles
- Recreational vehicles (other than motorized motor homes)
This is outlined in Regulation 601/93 of the Highway Traffic Act.
Every person who fails to provide a UVIP to the buyer is guilty of an offence under Regulation 601/93 of the Highway Traffic Act and subject to fines.
6. How can I find out about the Red Book value for my car?
The Red Book, which contains vehicle values, is published by Canadian Red Book Inc. This book or a similar one is available at most bookstores and at retail automotive centres. To obtain the Red Book value of a vehicle, you need to look up the year, make and model of the vehicle in question. The wholesale value is the one most commonly used for retail sales tax purposes. The Used Vehicle Information Package uses this retail value for transferring ownership of a vehicle on a private sale. If you wish to purchase the official Red Book you can reach them by calling 905-469-6468.
The amount of retail sales tax payable is based on the fair market value, which is the higher of the sale price or average wholesale value.
The average wholesale value is described as the average price that dealers pay when buying vehicles from other dealers. The wholesale rate is a base price and does not include options such as air conditioning, AM-FM stereos, cruise control, etc.
8. Why does the UVIP not include information about a vehicle's history from other provinces?
The UVIP is produced using information that has been collected in Ontario and does not include information from other jurisdictions. If you require information about a vehicle during the time it was registered in another jurisdiction, please contact the appropriate jurisdiction directly.
You will receive your UVIP in approximately 5 business days. If you do not receive your UVIP in that time contact the Driver and Vehicle Information Service at 416-235-2999 (GTA) or toll free in Canada at
1-800-387-3445.
Please call the Driver and Vehicle Information Service at 416-235-2999 (GTA) or toll-free in Canada at 1-800-387-3445.
If you have ordered a UVIP online, it will take approximately 5 business days for you to receive it in the mail. If you need the package sooner, you can visit a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office and purchase a new one at an additional cost.
12. Can a damaged UVIP be accepted for transfer purposes?
It depends to what extent the package is damaged.
The UVIP must be an original. The serial number on the UVIP must be unaltered and the tear-off stub on page one must also be intact. If any of these conditions are not met, the transfer cannot be processed.
13. For how long is the UVIP valid?
The package has no expiry date.
Yes. The UVIP is intended to provide details about the vehicle to a potential buyer.
No, it is recommended that you call the Personal Property Security Registration, Ministry of Government Services at 1-800-267-8847 or (416) 325-8847 in the GTA for questions related to lien registration issues.
