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Motorcycle Bill of Sale Template – Free Download 2026

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When Do You Need a Motorcycle Bill of Sale?

You are buying or selling a motorcycle through a private party transaction and the DMV requires a bill of sale in addition to the signed title certificate to process the registration transfer and calculate the applicable sales tax on the purchase price.

The motorcycle you are purchasing does not have a title due to age, a missing title situation, or a salvage title that was never rebuilt, and you need a detailed bill of sale to initiate the bonded title process with your state DMV.

You want to document an as-is disclaimer for a private party motorcycle sale to confirm the buyer accepts the motorcycle in its current condition with no implied or express warranties, protecting the seller from post-sale mechanical claims.

Your state requires a VIN inspection for private party motorcycle sales and you need a bill of sale that includes the verified VIN to present alongside the inspection report at the DMV. You can verify the motorcycle is not stolen through the NICB VINCheck database before completing the transaction.

You are gifting a motorcycle to a family member or friend and need a bill of sale showing a zero-dollar transaction to satisfy DMV requirements and potentially qualify for a gift tax exemption on the registration. A vehicle bill of sale follows the same general format if you need one for a car instead.

The seller and buyer are in different states and need a motorcycle bill of sale that documents the transaction terms clearly so the buyer can register the motorcycle in their home state, which may have different requirements than the state where the sale occurs.

What Should a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Include?

Buyer and Seller Identification

Include the full legal names, mailing addresses, and driver license numbers of both the buyer and seller. Both names should match the identification documents exactly. If the seller's name does not match the name on the title, additional documentation such as a court order or marriage certificate may be needed at the DMV.

Motorcycle Description and VIN

Record the year, make, model, engine size (displacement in CCs), color, and VIN. The VIN on a motorcycle is typically found on the steering neck (headstock) and on the engine case. Verify the VIN stamped on the frame matches the title certificate and has not been altered or defaced, which would indicate potential theft or a salvage title issue.

Odometer Disclosure

The Odometer Disclosure Act applies to motorcycles the same as other motor vehicles. The seller must state the exact mileage at the time of sale and indicate whether the mileage is actual, exceeds mechanical limits, or is not the actual mileage. Some older or off-road motorcycles may not have odometers, which should be noted on the bill of sale.

Sale Price and Payment Method

State the agreed purchase price in both numbers and words. Identify the payment method (cash, cashier's check, or electronic transfer). If payments are made in installments, reference a separate promissory note outlining the schedule, amounts, and interest rate.

Condition and Warranty Disclosure

Specify whether the motorcycle is sold as-is or with any warranties. Disclose known mechanical issues, accident history, cosmetic damage, or modifications. If the motorcycle has a salvage title, rebuilt title, or is missing components, this section protects the seller from claims that defects were concealed.

Lien Status Disclosure

The seller must disclose whether any lien exists on the motorcycle. If a lienholder is listed on the title, the lien must be satisfied before or at the time of sale. Include the lienholder's name and contact information. The buyer should verify lien status through the DMV before making payment.

Signatures and Date

Both parties must sign and date the bill of sale. E-signatures are valid for motorcycle bills of sale in most states. Print at least two originals so each party has a signed copy. The buyer presents the bill of sale along with the signed title at the DMV to complete the registration transfer.

Signature Requirements

Electronic Signature

Both buyer and seller must sign the motorcycle bill of sale. Electronic signatures are valid under ESIGN Act and UETA; however, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Wyoming require notarization for motor vehicle title transfers including motorcycles.

How to Fill Out a Motorcycle Bill of Sale

1

Enter Buyer and Seller Details

Fill in the full legal names, addresses, and driver license numbers for both parties. Double-check that the seller's name matches the name printed on the motorcycle's title certificate to avoid rejection at the DMV.

2

Describe the Motorcycle

Enter the year, make, model, engine displacement (CCs), color, and VIN. Physically inspect the VIN on the motorcycle's steering neck to confirm it matches the title. Use the NICB VINCheck tool to verify the motorcycle is not reported as stolen.

3

Record Odometer Reading

Write down the exact mileage shown on the odometer and select the appropriate disclosure statement. If the motorcycle does not have an odometer (common on dirt bikes and older models), check the box indicating the vehicle is exempt from odometer disclosure.

4

Enter the Sale Price

Write the purchase price in both numeric and written form. If the motorcycle is a gift, enter $0.00 and note that the transfer is a gift. The DMV uses this figure to calculate sales tax, so the stated price should reflect the actual amount paid.

5

Disclose Condition and Lien Status

Check the as-is box for private sales or describe any warranties offered. List any known defects or damage. Confirm whether the title is clear or if a lienholder must release the title. If the motorcycle has a salvage title, note this clearly.

6

Sign and Distribute Copies

Both the buyer and seller sign and date the bill of sale. If your state requires notarization for motorcycle transfers, have it notarized at the time of signing. Give one original to the buyer for DMV registration and keep one original with the seller for their records.

Motorcycle Bill of Sale Requirements by State

Motorcycle Bill of Sale laws and requirements differ across states. Key variations include specific language requirements, notarization mandates, witness requirements, filing deadlines, and enforceability standards. Our templates incorporate state-specific provisions when you select your jurisdiction.

For the most comprehensive state-specific version, use our AI generator which automatically applies your state's legal requirements.

Generate state-specific motorcycle bill of sale

Free Template vs Custom Motorcycle Bill of Sale

FeatureFree TemplateCustom (AI or Attorney)
Basic motorcycle and party fields
VIN verification and odometer sections
State-specific DMV complianceRequirements vary by state-
As-is and warranty language-
Attorney review and customization-
Digital download (PDF/Word)

Motorcycle Bill of Sale Template FAQ

Do I need a bill of sale to register a motorcycle?
Most states require a bill of sale in addition to the signed title certificate to register a motorcycle purchased through a private party sale. The DMV uses the bill of sale to verify the purchase price for sales tax calculation and to confirm the transaction details. Some states waive the bill of sale requirement if the title is properly signed over, but having a bill of sale is always recommended as proof of the transaction terms.
Does a motorcycle bill of sale need to be notarized?
Most states do not require a motorcycle bill of sale to be notarized for private party sales. The states that require notarized vehicle bills of sale (Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Wyoming) apply the same requirement to motorcycles. Even when not required, notarization provides additional authentication and can help prevent disputes about the validity of the signatures.
What should be included in a motorcycle bill of sale?
A motorcycle bill of sale should include the full names and addresses of buyer and seller, the motorcycle year, make, model, engine displacement, color, and VIN, the odometer reading with a disclosure statement, the sale price and payment method, the condition of the motorcycle (as-is or with warranties), lien status, and signatures of both parties with the date. Including the seller's driver license number and the title number adds additional verification.
Can I buy a motorcycle without a title?
Buying a motorcycle without a title is risky but possible in some states. Many states offer a bonded title process where the buyer purchases a surety bond for the motorcycle's value and the DMV issues a bonded title that becomes a regular title after a waiting period (typically three to five years). Some states allow registration with a bill of sale for motorcycles over a certain age. Always run a VIN check through the NICB database before buying a motorcycle without a title.
How do I transfer a motorcycle title?
To transfer a motorcycle title, the seller signs the back of the title in the designated assignment area, fills in the buyer's information, records the odometer reading, and hands the signed title to the buyer. The buyer then takes the signed title and a bill of sale to the DMV to apply for a new title in their name. Most states require the transfer to be completed within 10 to 30 days of the sale. Late transfer fees may apply.
Is a VIN inspection required for motorcycle sale?
Some states require a VIN inspection for private party motorcycle sales, especially for out-of-state vehicles, motorcycles without titles, or motorcycles with salvage titles being registered for the first time. The VIN inspection is performed by a law enforcement officer, licensed dealer, or DMV inspector who verifies the VIN on the frame matches the documentation. States like California, Colorado, and Arizona commonly require VIN inspections for certain transactions.
What is the difference between a motorcycle bill of sale and a title?
A motorcycle bill of sale is a private document created by the buyer and seller that records the terms of the transaction, including the price, date, condition, and identities of the parties. A title certificate is a government-issued document from the DMV that establishes legal ownership of the motorcycle. The bill of sale proves a sale occurred; the title proves who owns the motorcycle. Both documents are typically needed to complete a registration transfer at the DMV.
What states require a motorcycle bill of sale?
The majority of states require a bill of sale for private party motorcycle sales, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. A few states such as Kansas and Alabama do not explicitly require a bill of sale if the title is properly signed. However, even in states where a bill of sale is not legally required, the DMV may request one to verify the purchase price for sales tax purposes. Having a bill of sale is always recommended regardless of state requirements.

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Reviewed by licensed attorneys · Editorial policy · Last updated March 2026

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