What a bill of sale does and why you need one
A bill of sale is a written record that you sold a motorcycle to someone else, or that someone sold one to you. It names the buyer, the seller, the motorcycle (year, make, model, VIN), the sale price, and the date. When you sign it, you are both saying: this transaction happened, on these terms, for this amount of money.
The bill of sale protects both of you. For the seller, it proves you no longer own the bike—if it gets stolen or wrecked after the sale, the new owner cannot come back and say you are responsible. For the buyer, it proves you paid for it and have a right to register it in your name. Without one, a dispute over who owns the motorcycle becomes your word against theirs, and the person whose name is still on the title has the legal upper hand.
A bill of sale is not the same as a title. The title is the government document that says who owns the motorcycle. The bill of sale is the paper trail that shows how ownership changed hands. Most states require the seller to sign the title over to the buyer, but many also ask for a bill of sale as proof of the transaction.
Key Takeaways
- A bill of sale is a written record of the sale that protects both buyer and seller by documenting the transaction, price, and motorcycle details.
- You can use a template from your state's DMV website, a generic template, or write one yourself as long as it includes the VIN, sale price, date, and both signatures.
- The seller should keep a copy and give the original to the buyer before handing over the keys or the title.
- Some states do not require a bill of sale by law, but having one is still the safest way to prove the sale happened and protects you if a dispute arises later.
What information must go on the bill of sale
The bill of sale needs to identify the motorcycle clearly enough that no one can claim it is a different one. Write down the year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is a 17-character code stamped on the frame or printed on the title. If you leave it out, the document is much weaker as proof of which motorcycle you sold.
Include the sale price in dollars. If you are selling it for cash and want to keep that private, you can still write the amount on the bill of sale—it is not a public record unless you file it with the state, and most people do not. If you are financing part of the sale or accepting a trade-in, write down the total agreed value and what form the payment took.
Add the full names and addresses of both the buyer and the seller, the date of the sale, and the odometer reading (mileage) if the motorcycle has one. Both parties must sign and print their names. Some states ask for driver's license numbers as well. Check your state's DMV website to see if there is an official form—many states provide one, and using it removes any question about whether you included the right information.
Where to find a bill of sale template for your state
Start at your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website. Search for "motorcycle bill of sale" or "vehicle bill of sale." Most states offer a free PDF or Word template that you can read and fill in. Using your state's official form is the safest choice because it includes everything the state recognizes as proof of sale.
If your state does not provide one, you can use a generic motorcycle bill of sale template from a legal document site or even write one yourself on plain paper. The key is that it must include the VIN, the sale price, the date, the names and signatures of both parties, and a statement that the seller is transferring ownership to the buyer. A handwritten bill of sale is legal as long as both people sign it and it has the essential information.
Some motorcycle dealers and private sellers use their own forms. If you are buying from a dealer, they will usually provide one. If you are buying from a private seller, you can bring a template with you or ask them to sign one you have prepared. Either way, make sure both of you have a copy before the money and keys change hands.
How to fill out and sign the bill of sale
Print or write the form clearly so there is no confusion later about what was agreed. Fill in the motorcycle details first: year, make, model, and VIN. Double-check the VIN against the title or the motorcycle itself—a mistake here can cause problems when the buyer tries to register it.
Write the sale price as a number and spell it out in words (for example, "Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00"). This prevents anyone from later claiming the amount was different. Add the date of the sale, the odometer reading, and the full legal names and addresses of both the buyer and the seller.
Both the buyer and the seller must sign the bill of sale in front of each other. Some states do not require a notary, but having a notary public witness the signatures adds a layer of proof that both people actually signed it and were who they said they were. If you are mailing the bill of sale instead of meeting in person, you can still have it notarized at a bank, UPS store, or notary office before you send it.
When to exchange the bill of sale during the sale
The bill of sale should be signed and exchanged before the seller hands over the keys or the title. This is the moment when ownership actually transfers. If you are the buyer, do not give money until you have a signed bill of sale in your hands. If you are the seller, do not hand over the keys or title until the buyer has signed it.
Make two copies: one for the buyer and one for the seller. Each person should keep their copy for their records. If there is ever a dispute about when the sale happened, what was agreed, or who owns the motorcycle, that signed copy is your proof.
After the sale, the buyer will use the bill of sale along with the signed title to register the motorcycle in their name at the DMV. The seller should keep their copy in case questions come up later about the sale or the motorcycle's history.
What happens if you sell a motorcycle without a bill of sale
If you are the seller and you do not have a bill of sale, you have no proof that you sold the motorcycle. If the new owner gets into an accident, racks up parking tickets, or the bike is stolen, the police or creditors may still come looking for you because your name is on the title. You cannot easily prove you no longer own it.
If you are the buyer and there is no bill of sale, you have no written proof that you paid for the motorcycle or that the seller agreed to transfer it to you. If the seller later claims you stole it, or if they sell it to someone else and claim they never sold it to you, you have only your word to back you up. The person whose name is on the title has the legal claim to the motorcycle.
In most states, the lack of a bill of sale is not illegal, but it is risky for both parties. Some states do require one by law as part of the title transfer process. Even if your state does not require it, the few minutes it takes to write and sign one can save you months of headache if something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bill of sale if I am buying a motorcycle from a dealer?
Dealers almost always provide one as part of the paperwork. Check that it includes the VIN, sale price, and both signatures before you leave. If the dealer does not offer one, ask for it—it is standard practice and protects you both.
Can I use a bill of sale from a different state?
Yes. A bill of sale is a record of a private transaction, not a government form. As long as it includes the VIN, sale price, date, and both signatures, it is valid. Your state's DMV will accept it when you register the motorcycle, even if it was written in another state.
What if the seller will not sign a bill of sale?
That is a red flag. A legitimate seller has no reason to refuse. If someone will not put the sale in writing, walk away—it suggests they may not actually own the motorcycle, or they are trying to hide something about its history or condition.
Is a bill of sale the same as a title transfer?
No. A bill of sale is a record of the sale. A title transfer is the legal process of changing whose name appears on the government title document. You need both: the bill of sale proves the transaction happened, and the signed title transfers ownership to the buyer at the DMV.
Can I sell a motorcycle without signing the title over?
Not legally. The title must be signed over to the buyer for the sale to be complete. A bill of sale alone does not transfer ownership—it only proves the sale happened. The buyer cannot register the motorcycle without a signed title from you.