Transport Canada · Motor Vehicle Safety Act
Vehicles 15 years and older outside most of Transport Canada's requirements
Vehicles 15 years old or more, by the month and year they were made, and buses built before 1971, are outside most of Transport Canada's requirements. You'll need ownership documents and proof of the vehicle's age.
To import a vehicle 15 years or older
Before you buy
- Check its age on the compliance label. Age counts from the month and year it was made. For a vehicle built in stages, such as a motorhome, from the final-stage manufacturer's label.
- A bus qualifies only if built before 1971. The 15-year rule doesn't cover buses. A bus built in 1971 or later follows the rules for its route, whatever its age.
- Check your province will license it. Importing doesn't guarantee registration. Some provinces won't license right-hand-drive vehicles or some salvage-branded ones.
At the border
- Ownership documents. Such as the title, a registration or a bill of sale. CBSA checks them against the vehicle.
- Proof of the vehicle's age. Its compliance label, or a document such as a registration that shows when it was made.
Is your vehicle covered?
Check a vehicle by its VIN
Enter the VIN from the title or the registration. See the vehicle, whether it's 15 years old, what Transport Canada's lists show for its make, and what to check next.
It's on the title, the registration, and the dashboard where it meets the windshield.
Documents you may need
| Document | When you need it | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of ownershipThe title, a registration or a bill of sale | A title isn't mandatory for a vehicle that doesn't go through the Registrar; CBSA checks that the vehicle, importer and seller details match. | Required |
What stops a vehicle at the border
| Stops it when | What to know |
|---|---|
| Nothing proves its age | It can't come in as 15 years or older. CBSA assesses it as a regulated vehicle, and one that doesn't comply can be refused at the border. |
Questions
Does it go through the Registrar?
No. The Registrar's route is for vehicles under 15 years old, and buses built in 1971 or later.
Will my province license it?
Importing it doesn't guarantee that. Check with your provincial or territorial licensing authority before you import.
Sources: Transport Canada, CBSA, Global Affairs Canada, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Registrar of Imported Vehicles
- Importing older vehicles into Canada, Transport Canada, modified 2018-08-24
- Importing non-regulated vehicles, Transport Canada, modified 2018-08-24
- Memorandum D19-12-1: Importing vehicles into Canada, CBSA, modified 2026-09-02
- Importing a vehicle from countries other than the United States or Mexico, Transport Canada, modified 2018-08-23
- Registrar of Imported Vehicles Compatibility List, Transport Canada, July 14, 2025 edition
- Canadian commercial importers of new Canadian-specification vehicles (Appendix F), Transport Canada, read 2026-11-10
- Foreign manufacturers of new Canadian-specification vehicles (Appendix G), Transport Canada, read 2026-11-10
- Explanations on mandatory compliance, Transport Canada, modified 2025-07-14
- Notice to importers 1168: electric vehicles from the People's Republic of China, Global Affairs Canada, modified 2026-08-28
- Check for recalls, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Recall clearance, Registrar of Imported Vehicles, no date shown, checked 2026-11-10
- Stay informed about recalls: vehicles, tires and child car seats, Transport Canada, modified 2019-03-18
Reviewed November 10, 2026.
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