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Des Moines, Iowa Dirt Bike Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a dirt bike in Des Moines, Iowa. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Des Moines, IowaDirt BikePopulation rank #107

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Dirt Bike VIN and vehicle details
  • Sale price and date
  • Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Polk County

DMV / Title Office

Polk County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle

Address

111 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Phone

(515) 286-3060

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$25.00

Sales Tax Rate

5.00%

Base Registration Fee

$35.00

Iowa charges 5% use tax on private vehicle sales (no local add-on for vehicles)

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Iowa does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is sufficient.

Des Moines Transfer Checklist

  • Title transfer at the Polk County Treasurer office within 30 days
  • Iowa charges 5% use tax on private party vehicle purchases
  • Seller must sign the title and provide odometer disclosure
  • Buyer must obtain Iowa plates at the time of title transfer

County Information — Polk County

County Clerk / Recorder

Polk County Recorder

Phone

(515) 286-3572

Dirt Bike market data and safety information

The most common dirt bike makes in private-party sales are Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki. Average private-party dirt bike prices range from $1,500–$10,000. Dirt bikes average 1.5 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Frame, Suspension.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used dirt bike

Before completing a dirt bike bill of sale in Iowa, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect frame and subframe for cracks from jumps and crashes
  • Check fork seal condition and suspension linkage bearings
  • Verify engine compression and listen for bottom-end noise
  • Check sprocket and chain wear — high-wear items on dirt bikes

Dirt Bike insurance and depreciation in Iowa

Off-road-only dirt bikes may not require insurance. Street-legal dual-sport conversions require motorcycle insurance. Dirt bikes hold value well in the enthusiast market — 25–35% loss over 3 years. Japanese four-strokes retain the most. Peak season for private dirt bike sales is spring for motocross, fall for trail riding, with an average of 20 days on market.

Dirt Bike registration and titling

Dirt Bikes are classified as "Off-highway motorcycle (OHV) — not street legal without conversion in most states" for registration purposes. Dirt bikes typically weigh 200–280 lbs. No weight-class registration; classified by engine displacement. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to dirt bikes.

Dirt Bike sales in Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines residents completing a dirt bike bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Iowa state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5%, 5% one-time new registration fee instead of sales tax. The most popular dirt bike makes in Iowa include Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki.

Iowa bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 772 bill of sale documents for Iowa transactions, with 21 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

Frequently asked questions

What county is Des Moines in, and which office handles title transfers?

Des Moines is in Polk County. Title transfers are handled by the Polk County Treasurer – Motor Vehicle at 111 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (515) 286-3060.

What is the sales tax rate on a dirt bike sale in Des Moines?

The combined rate is 5.00%. Iowa charges 5% use tax on private vehicle sales (no local add-on for vehicles).

Is notarization required for a dirt bike bill of sale in Des Moines?

No. Iowa does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. A signed title is sufficient.

What fees should I expect when transferring a dirt bike title in Des Moines?

Title transfer fee: $25.00. Base registration fee: $35.00. Sales tax at 5.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.