Every province has its own rules for what a car dealer can charge, and most buyers only find out what they are at the signing desk. Alberta and Ontario are among the better provinces to buy in, because both have strict all-in pricing laws. The catch: the protection only works if you know what the advertised price is supposed to include.
This guide covers the fees you'll see on an Alberta or Ontario bill of sale, which ones the dealer is allowed to add, which ones should already be in the price, and how to push back without losing the car. If you're buying in BC, I have a separate guide to BC dealer fees.
In both Alberta and Ontario the advertised price has to be all-in. In Alberta only GST and financing costs can be added on top. In Ontario only HST and licensing can. Admin and documentation fees, the AMVIC levy and the OMVIC fee all have to be inside the advertised price, so a dealer can't add them at signing. Optional add-ons such as etching, rustproofing or extended warranties can be declined.
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See the Car Finding Service, $790 →Do Alberta and Ontario dealers have to show all-in prices?
Yes. In both provinces the price in an ad, on the windshield or on the website has to be the total a buyer pays for the car, except for a short list of items. Fees the dealer charges on every sale, such as admin, documentation, freight or pre-delivery inspection, have to be built into that number. They can't appear for the first time on the bill of sale.
What can go on top of the advertised price
| Province | Allowed on top | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | GST (5%) and financing costs | AMVIC |
| Ontario | HST (13%) and licensing | OMVIC |
| British Columbia | GST and PST | VSA (BC) |
Dealer fees in Alberta: what the rules say
Alberta's Automotive Business Regulation says the advertised price has to include the total cost of the vehicle, including all fees and charges. The only mandatory charge a dealer can add on top is 5% GST, plus costs that come with financing if you finance. Alberta has no PST.
- Admin and documentation fees have to be inside the advertised price. A dealer can't advertise $24,995 and then add a $699 admin fee at signing.
- The AMVIC levy funds the regulator. Dealers may pass it on, but it must be included in the advertised price and can't be presented as a mandatory government fee.
- Freight, PDI and levy recoveries such as an air conditioning levy belong in the advertised price too.
- Pre-installed products, such as tire protection packages or etching that are already on the car, also have to be in the advertised price.
- Market adjustment fees cannot be added on top of the advertised price.
One detail outweighs any fee: every charge has to be disclosed during negotiation and listed on a complete bill of sale, and AMVIC is clear that worksheets and deposit receipts don't count as a bill of sale. In a case reported by CBC, an Edmonton buyer was asked for an extra $2,400 at pickup, and the dealer argued that the worksheet he'd signed wasn't binding. Get the final, itemized bill of sale before you hand over the full payment.
Dealer fees in Ontario: what the rules say
Ontario's all-in pricing rule works the same way. The advertised price has to include all mandatory fees, such as delivery and any administration fees, with only HST (13%) and licensing added on top.
- The OMVIC fee is a transaction fee of $12.50 per vehicle, in place since April 1, 2024. If a dealer passes it on, it has to be included in the advertised price and itemized on the contract.
- Admin and dealer fees must be part of the advertised price, not added later.
- Licensing is the one dealer-collected cost besides HST that can be added. Ask for the exact amount and what it covers, so a "licensing" line doesn't quietly include extra profit.
- Optional add-ons, such as extended warranties, protection packages, VIN etching or rustproofing, have to be listed on the bill of sale. You can negotiate them or say no.
Ontario's regulator can enforce the advertised total, but extra charges are allowed when they're clearly shown in the contract. In practice that means the paperwork you sign is what counts. Read every line before you sign, not after.
Admin and documentation fees: can you negotiate them?
In both provinces, admin and documentation fees are set by the dealer, not the government. Since they have to be in the advertised price, the question to ask isn't "is this fee legal" but "is the total price fair". Negotiate the out-the-door number, not individual lines. If a dealer insists the admin fee is non-negotiable, fine: ask them to take the same amount off the price of the car instead.
Add-ons that show up at signing
Most of the money in a dealer's back office comes from products added after you have agreed on the car: extended warranties, tire and rim protection, paint and fabric protection, rustproofing, theft etching, nitrogen-filled tires and GAP insurance. None of them are required to buy the car or to get financing. Some are worth it for some buyers, but you should decide that at home with the price in front of you, not in the finance office at 8 pm.
How to push back without losing the deal
- Screenshot the ad. The advertised price is your anchor. If the bill of sale adds anything other than tax (and licensing in Ontario), ask what it is and why it was not in the ad.
- Ask for the out-the-door price in writing before you visit, broken down line by line.
- Decline add-ons by default. "I'm not taking any add-ons today" is a complete sentence.
- Don't pay in full on a worksheet. Wait for the final bill of sale.
- Know where to complain. AMVIC in Alberta and OMVIC in Ontario take consumer complaints about advertising and fees.
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Book an inspection, $490What about private sales?
The fee rules above apply to dealers. A private sale has no dealer fees, but the tax picture is different. In Alberta, a private sale has no sales tax. In Ontario, the buyer pays 13% retail sales tax when registering the car, on the greater of the price paid or the wholesale value, and the seller has to provide a Used Vehicle Information Package. A private sale also means no regulator to call if something goes wrong, which is exactly why an inspection and a lien check matter more there. If the car is in a different province from you, my guide to buying a used car in another province covers the paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
What fees can an Alberta dealer add to the advertised price?
Only GST and costs related to financing. Under Alberta all-in pricing rules, admin fees, freight, PDI, the AMVIC levy and pre-installed products must already be included in the advertised price.
What is the AMVIC levy?
It is a levy that funds the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council, the regulator for car dealers in Alberta. Dealers may pass it on to the buyer, but it has to be included in the advertised price and cannot be presented as a mandatory government fee.
What is the OMVIC fee in Ontario?
It is a transaction fee of $12.50 per vehicle, in place since April 1, 2024. If a dealer passes it on, it must be included in the advertised price and itemized on the contract.
What can an Ontario dealer add on top of the advertised price?
Only HST and licensing. Admin fees, delivery and other mandatory dealer charges must already be in the advertised price. Ask for the actual licensing amount so it is not padded.
Can a dealer add a market adjustment fee?
Not on top of an advertised price. A dealer can negotiate a different price on a car, but the regulators treat the advertised figure as the all-in price. Read the final bill of sale before you sign, because a worksheet is not a bill of sale.
Do you pay tax on a private used car sale in Alberta or Ontario?
In Alberta, a private sale has no sales tax. In Ontario, the buyer pays 13 percent retail sales tax when registering, on the greater of the price paid or the wholesale value.
Sources: AMVIC, all-in advertised pricing; OMVIC, bill of sale and all-in pricing; OMVIC, transaction fee; CBC Go Public. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the regulator's site for your situation.