When you buy or sell a motorcycle in Florida, you need a Florida Motorcycle Bill of Sale.
Below is an overview of what a Florida motorcycle bill of sale is and the information you need to draft one.
What is a Florida Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form?
A Florida motorcycle bill of sale serves as proof of the transfer of ownership of a motorcycle in the state of Florida.
If you buy your motorcycle from a commercial dealer, they will provide a motorcycle bill of sale with your purchase.
For a sale with a private individual, the seller will likely draft the bill of sale.
Is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form Required in Florida?
A motorcycle bill of sale is not legally required by the state of Florida.
However, it can offer you protection and serve as proof of the transfer of ownership in case that is ever necessary.
To protect both parties, a motorcycle bill of sale is always recommended, even if not required.
Do You Need a Bill of Sale to Register a Motorcycle in Florida?
You may need a notarized bill of sale in order to register or transfer the title of a motorcycle in Florida.
If the motorcycle was purchased in a state that does not issue titles, you can use the bill of sale along with any registration documents as proof of ownership.
You can check with your local motor vehicle service center if a bill of sale will be required to register your motorcycle for your particular set of circumstances.
How Do I Transfer Ownership of a Motorcycle in Florida?
Buying or selling a motorcycle in Florida? Make sure you go through the proper steps so that the motorcycle purchase and sale will be recognized by Florida.
Here are the steps to transferring ownership of a motorcycle in Florida.
Seller’s Responsibilities
The seller must transfer the title to the buyer by completing the “Transfer of Title by Seller” section on the front of the motorcycle’s title certificate.
Include the buyer’s name and address, odometer information, selling price, and the date sold.
In addition, the seller is required to complete a Notice of Sale (HSMV 82050) so that the seller is not liable for the motorcycle after the sale.
One of the last steps is to remove the license plate from the sold motorcycle and surrender the license plate if applicable.
Get a VIN Inspection
If the vehicle does not have a previous Florida title, you will need to complete a Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification form for the motorcycle and schedule an inspection.
This will verify the VIN and the odometer reading of the vehicle.
Buyer’s Responsibilities
The buyer must complete an Application for Certificate of Title with/without Registration form and then submit the completed application along with the signed title to a motor vehicle service center to transfer the title into their name.
In addition, the buyer needs to register, provide proof of insurance (personal injury protection and personal damage liability), and pay title and registration fees.
Keep in mind that this must be done within 30 calendar days.
Motorcycle Title Transfer With a Bill of Sale Only
What about transferring the title of a motorcycle in Florida with a bill of sale only?
You will still need to fill out an application for title and complete registration, but your motorcycle bill of sale may serve as the previous owner’s release if the vehicle was registered in another state.
You will need proof that the owner transferred ownership to you, and your bill of sale is just that.
Does a Florida Motorcycle Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized?
As a Florida motorcycle bill of sale is not legally required to transfer ownership of a motorcycle, the bill of sale does not need to be notarized.
As stated above, there are some exceptions.
For example, if the motorcycle was purchased in a state that does not issue titles, you will need a bill of sale, and it is best practice to have those notarized.
Buying and Selling a Motorcycle in Florida
Step 1 – Meeting with the Potential Buyer
Schedule a time to sit down with the potential buyer and discuss the details of the purchase – including payment and when to transfer ownership – before you make the sale.
The buyer can also use this time to ask about the details of the motorcycle and any relevant history.
If you are more selective about who you sell your motorcycle to, treat this as an interview and ask the potential buyer about their experience with motorcycles.
Step 2 – Drafting a Florida Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Draft a Florida motorcycle bill of sale with the motorcycle bill of sale template instructions we’ve included below.
You can also use our template.
You will need to make two additional copies of the bill of sale so that you can keep the original and give two copies to the buyer.
The buyer may need to present one when transferring the title and will keep the other.
Step 3 – Make the Sale
Find a time to meet in person to transfer ownership of the motorcycle. Fill out and sign the bill of sale and make copies.
From there, the buyer can leave with their new motorcycle ready to register, and you can leave with your cash.
How to Write a Motorcycle Bill of Sale in Florida (What to Include)
Ready to write a Florida motorcycle bill of sale? You can draft your own or use our template to create a thorough motorcycle bill of sale for Florida.
Step 1 – Fill in Buyer and Seller Information
The buyer and seller must both include their full legal name, address, and contact information.
Step 2 – Fill in Motorcycle Information
Add in all the details about the motorcycle itself, including the VIN, odometer reading, make, model, year, and so on.
Many of these details should be verified as part of the VIN inspection.
Step 3 – Sign and Notarize
Include the purchase price and method of payment. Both parties sign the Florida motorcycle bill of sale in order for it to be finalized.
If you want to use a notary, they can notarize the bill of sale at this time.
Summary
If you need a Florida motorcycle bill of sale, LegalTemplates is here to help.
Check out our motorcycle bill of sale template to draft your own today.
Florida Motorcycle Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of what a Florida motorcycle bill of sale looks like.
