When buying or selling a motorcycle in Kentucky, you must take care that you have acquired all the necessary forms to document your sales transaction and make it legal.

Furthermore, you must ensure that those documents are filled out in their entirety and notarized as necessary.

An extremely important document to consider is the Kentucky motorcycle bill of sale.

Table of Contents

What Is a Kentucky Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form?
Is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form Required in Kentucky?
Do You Need a Bill of Sale to Register a Motorcycle in Kentucky?
How Do I Transfer Ownership of a Motorcycle in Kentucky?
Does a Kentucky Motorcycle Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized?
Selling a Motorcycle in Kentucky
How to Write a Motorcycle Bill of Sale in Kentucky
In Conclusion
Kentucky Motorcycle Bill of Sale Sample

What Is a Kentucky Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form?

A widely recognized legal document, a motorcycle bill of sale records the transfer of ownership of a motorcycle from one owner to another.

Much like a receipt, it serves as official proof of the sale with details such as the names of both buyer and seller, a short description of the motorcycle, the date the motorcycle was sold, and the agreed-upon selling price.

Is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form Required in Kentucky?

To supply an official record of sale and a legal document of ownership, filling out a motorcycle bill of sale form for Kentucky sales is generally a good idea.

Except for three-wheeled alternative-speed motorcycles (ASMs) that cannot exceed 40 MPH, Kentucky requires a standard vehicle title for all motorcycles.

The title is required to transfer ownership of a motorcycle by the seller signing over the Kentucky title and the buyer registering that title with their local County Clerk’s office.

However, it is important to note that other states may not follow the same process.

Furthermore, titles can turn up missing through loss or theft. In these cases and others, a bill of sale can prove invaluable when it comes to proving ownership of the motorcycle.

Do You Need a Bill of Sale to Register a Motorcycle in Kentucky?

You need a legally valid title to register your motorcycle with the state of Kentucky.

When buying a motorcycle in-state, this generally means bringing a signed-over title into your local County Clerk’s office and filling an Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration.

However, the Kentucky Department of Motor Vehicles (KDMV) has other instructions for people who purchase a motorcycle registered in another state that doesn’t issue titles.

In this case, you will need a bill of sale as well as that motorcycle’s current/former state registration documents.

How Do I Transfer Ownership of a Motorcycle in Kentucky?

As previously noted and detailed by the KDMV, not all states issue titles for all types of motorcycles.

Ownership transfer from Kentucky resident to Kentucky resident is relatively straightforward as long as you have a signed-over title to register with your local County Clerk’s office.

If you don’t have a title, you can obtain one with a valid motorcycle bill of sale.

When applying for a title and registration, submit the following:

Signed-over Kentucky title with signatures notarized
For out-of-state motorcycles, completed Application for a Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration and registration or bill of sale (if state does not issue title)
Photo ID
Proof of insurance issued within 45 days
Payment for registration and title fees and applicable taxes

Can I Transfer Motorcycle Ownership With a Bill of Sale Only?

When the motorcycle you buy doesn’t have an existing title, you can obtain a new title with a valid bill of sale.

This will officially transfer ownership of the motorcycle to you and allow you to drive the motorcycle legally.

The KDMV requires you to supply your local County Clerk’s office with a fully completed motorcycle bill of sale and certificate of title application, complete with proof of an active Kentucky insurance policy for your new motorcycle.

Does a Kentucky Motorcycle Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized?

According to Kentucky state law, all signatures that transfer the ownership of a motorcycle and most other vehicles must be notarized by a licensed notary public.

This is true of titles as well as bills of sale.

Selling a Motorcycle in Kentucky

Follow the steps below to sell a motorcycle in Kentucky.

Step 1 – Research the Motorcycle’s Value

Use the Kelley Blue Book and similar resources.

Step 2 – Take Photos of the Motorcycle

Be sure to snap high-quality photos of the motorcycle with a clean background.

Step 3 – Write a Description

In addition to listing the features of your motorcycle, explain why you are selling it.

Step 4 – Gather Essential Paperwork

This includes the existing title if available and maintenance records.

Step 5 – Meeting With the Potential Buyer

Parties should have photo IDs and come prepared with the right documents.

Step 6 – Obtain a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form

You can download a motorcycle bill of sale from Legal Templates.

How to Write a Motorcycle Bill of Sale in Kentucky

In addition to supplying you with fillable motorcycle bill of sale forms, Legal Templates can help ensure that all necessary information is present and that your document is filled out in its entirety.

Step 1 – Fill in Buyer, Seller, and Notary Information

This information includes the following:

Name of Buyer
Buyer’s Address
Seller’s Name
Seller’s Address
Buyer’s Printed Name, Signature, and Date
Seller’s Printed Name, Signature, and Date
Notary Public Information and Signature (required in Kentucky)

Step 2 – Fill in Motorcycle Information

Essential motorcycle information includes:

Agreed-Upon Sale Price
Make
Model
Year
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Color
Odometer Reading
Date of Sale

In Conclusion

A motorcycle bill of sale is often an essential legal document in Kentucky and elsewhere.

Even when it isn’t a firm legal requirement, this document is a great way to prove the transfer of motorcycle ownership.

Fortunately, it is extremely easy to get a motorcycle bill of sale from Legal Templates. We have fillable bill of sale forms that are ideal for use in Kentucky and all other US states.

Start building your own document today by following our motorcycle bill of sale template instructions.