Do I need a bill of sale to sell a motorcycle?

Yes. A motorcycle bill of sale documents the private transfer between buyer and seller, captures the sale price for sales tax purposes, and gives the buyer evidence of ownership. Most state DMVs require a signed bill of sale (often together with the title) to register a motorcycle bought from a private seller.

Where is the VIN on a motorcycle?

The 17-character VIN is typically stamped on the steering neck (where the front forks meet the frame) and duplicated on the engine case. A federal certification label on the frame may also list it. Record exactly what is stamped on the bike, character for character, and confirm it matches the title.

Do I have to disclose the odometer reading?

Federal law (the Truth in Mileage Act) requires odometer disclosure on most motor vehicles less than 20 model years old, including motorcycles. Mark the reading exactly, and check whether your state still uses a separate odometer disclosure form in addition to the bill of sale.

What information should a motorcycle bill of sale include?

Include the VIN, year, make, model, color, odometer reading, engine size, sale price, sale date, full legal names and addresses for buyer and seller, and signatures from both parties. Add notary acknowledgement if your state requires it, and an "as-is" clause to protect the seller from post-sale claims.

Should I notarise a motorcycle bill of sale?

Some states require notarisation on the title transfer or on the bill of sale itself when transferring a titled motorcycle (Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and a few others). When in doubt, notarise — it costs little and resolves any ambiguity at the DMV.

What about an off-road dirt bike with no title?

Dirt bikes and other off-road motorcycles are often sold without a title, especially in states that do not title machines used purely off-road. The bill of sale becomes the primary ownership record. Capture the VIN exactly, list "off-road / no title" in the description, and have both parties sign.

Free Motorcycle Bill of Sale Template

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Why a motorcycle bill of sale matters

Motorcycles transfer through the same DMV channels as cars, but the paperwork is tighter and the stakes are higher. A signed bill of sale, alongside a properly assigned title, is what the buyer brings to the DMV to register the bike, calculate use tax, and prove ownership at insurance underwriting. For the seller, the bill of sale is the primary defense against any post-sale liability — accidents, abandonment, traffic citations, or storage claims that surface days or weeks after the bike leaves your driveway.

For off-road motorcycles and dirt bikes that may not carry a state title, the bill of sale becomes the only formal record of the transfer. That makes it the most important document in those sales, not an optional one.

What to include on a motorcycle bill of sale

VIN — 17 characters, stamped on the steering neck and duplicated on the engine case. Match it to the title exactly.
Year, make, model, color, and engine size.
Odometer reading — required by federal law on most motorcycles less than 20 model years old.
Sale price and sale date — drives use-tax calculation and the date liability transfers.
Full legal names, addresses, and contact details for both parties.
Signatures, sale date, and notary acknowledgement in states that require it.
"As-is" language — most private motorcycle sales are sold as-is with no warranty; saying so on the document protects the seller from later repair claims.

State-by-state notes for motorcycle sellers

Most states handle motorcycles like passenger vehicles, but a few require extra paperwork. The notes below highlight common patterns; always confirm with your state's DMV before signing.

Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia: notarisation is commonly required on title transfer or on the bill of sale itself.
California, Texas, Florida, New York: standard title transfer with a signed bill of sale; odometer disclosure is required on most bikes under 20 model years.
Vermont: well-known for accepting bills of sale to register vehicles even without a title for older models above the title-exempt age threshold.
Off-road / dirt bikes: many states do not title pure off-road motorcycles; the bill of sale is the primary ownership record. Capture the VIN exactly and note "off-road / no title" in the description.
Other states: requirements vary on notarisation, lien release, and odometer disclosure — see your state's DMV motorcycle page for the exact rule.

How to complete a motorcycle bill of sale

Locate the 17-character VIN on the steering neck and confirm it matches the title.
Record the year, make, model, color, engine size, and current odometer reading.
Collect full legal names, addresses, and contact details for both buyer and seller.
Agree on the final sale price and sale date, plus any condition or "as-is" statements.
Generate the bill of sale, fill in the motorcycle details, and add buyer and seller information.
Both parties sign and date the document, with notary acknowledgement if your state requires it.
Provide the buyer with the signed bill of sale, the title, and any maintenance or service records.

Motorcycle bill of sale by state

Open a state-specific motorcycle bill of sale page for any US state to see local titling rules, notarisation requirements, and a customised template.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a bill of sale to sell a motorcycle?: Yes. A motorcycle bill of sale documents the private transfer between buyer and seller, captures the sale price for sales tax purposes, and gives the buyer evidence of ownership. Most state DMVs require a signed bill of sale (often together with the title) to register a motorcycle bought from a private seller.
Where is the VIN on a motorcycle?: The 17-character VIN is typically stamped on the steering neck (where the front forks meet the frame) and duplicated on the engine case. A federal certification label on the frame may also list it. Record exactly what is stamped on the bike, character for character, and confirm it matches the title.
Do I have to disclose the odometer reading?: Federal law (the Truth in Mileage Act) requires odometer disclosure on most motor vehicles less than 20 model years old, including motorcycles. Mark the reading exactly, and check whether your state still uses a separate odometer disclosure form in addition to the bill of sale.
What information should a motorcycle bill of sale include?: Include the VIN, year, make, model, color, odometer reading, engine size, sale price, sale date, full legal names and addresses for buyer and seller, and signatures from both parties. Add notary acknowledgement if your state requires it, and an "as-is" clause to protect the seller from post-sale claims.
Should I notarise a motorcycle bill of sale?: Some states require notarisation on the title transfer or on the bill of sale itself when transferring a titled motorcycle (Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and a few others). When in doubt, notarise — it costs little and resolves any ambiguity at the DMV.
What about an off-road dirt bike with no title?: Dirt bikes and other off-road motorcycles are often sold without a title, especially in states that do not title machines used purely off-road. The bill of sale becomes the primary ownership record. Capture the VIN exactly, list "off-road / no title" in the description, and have both parties sign.

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