In Maryland, a motorcycle bill of sale form is a document that outlines the exact terms of a sales transaction between two parties for the purchase and sale of a motorcycle.
Think of it as a bit like an invoice or a purchase receipt. It goes into detail about who the previous owner was, who the new owner is, the item sold, when the transaction took place, what the terms and conditions are, etc.
It’s necessary in large part to protect both parties, should any discrepancies come up regarding the transaction later.
What Is a Maryland Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form?
A Maryland motorcycle bill of sale documents the transfer of ownership of a motorcycle from the seller to the buyer.
It is required for both registration and proper titling of motorcycles within the state.
After someone has purchased a motorcycle and the bill of sale has been filled out, signed by both parties and notarized, the new owner can then proceed with title and registration through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
Is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form Required in Maryland?
A motorcycle bill of sale form is required for private-party purchases in the state of Maryland.
It is necessary at the very least for the purpose of allowing the new owner to title and register the motorcycle so that it can be legally operated.
Do You Need a Bill of Sale to Register a Motorcycle in Maryland?
In Maryland, you do need a fully completed and signed bill of sale to register a motorcycle.
Registering is something that needs to happen immediately after the purchase of the motorcycle, or, for new residents, within 60 days of moving to Maryland.
Registrations are renewed once every two years and can be done either in person at an MVA branch or over the internet through the MVA online services.
In addition to the bill of sale, a number of other documents are required for title and registration, including:
- Proof of ownership is typically the Certificate of Title, properly assigned from the seller to the buyer. If the motorcycle is from a state that does not issue a title, then a registration document and bill of sale are acceptable.
- Application for Certificate of Title (VR-005). If the motorcycle has a current Maryland title, the title can be used as the application form by completing the Application for Title and Registration section, and this separate application is not necessary.
- Odometer reading on the Odometer Disclosure Statement or the Assignment of Ownership section on the Maryland title.
- Proof of insurance
- A Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate from a licensed Maryland inspection station.
- Proof that any applicable registration fees and excise titling taxes have been paid.
Note that in Maryland, you will have to provide proof of liability insurance in order to register the motorcycle.
Any insurance policy you have will need to have minimum coverage requirements, including $30,000 for bodily injury. $60,000 for bodily injury to two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage.
Note that when submitting documents, it is always important to submit copies because nothing will be returned to you in the future.
How Do I Transfer Ownership of a Motorcycle in Maryland?
To transfer ownership of a motorcycle in Maryland, both the buyer and the seller will need to properly fill out and sign the motorcycle’s title and the motorcycle bill of sale.
The buyer will then take that title, the bill of sale, and other required documents to a local MVA location.
The MVA will then be able to successfully transfer the title from one party to another.
Can I Transfer Motorcycle Title With a Bill of Sale Only?
Generally, it is not possible to transfer the title of a motorcycle in Maryland using only the bill of sale.
The exception is if the motorcycle is from a state that does not issue titles, in which case, the registration document and bill of sale can be submitted to the MVA.
Does a Maryland Motorcycle Bill of Sale Need to Be Notarized?
In the state of Maryland, a motorcycle bill of sale does need to be notarized to confirm the validity of the signatures that are present.
Buying and Selling a Motorcycle in Maryland
Step 1 – Meeting With the Potential Buyer
As is true with most transactions of any type, the first step toward buying or selling a motorcycle in Maryland involves both parties getting together for an in-person meeting.
If nothing else, this can help the seller confirm that the buyer is actually serious about purchasing the motorcycle.
Step 2 – Examining the Motorcycle
At that point, the potential buyer can examine the motorcycle to make sure that it matches the description they were previously provided.
This is important to get expectations in order so that there is no “buyer’s remorse” later on.
Step 3 – Negotiating the Terms
Finally, the terms of the sale can be negotiated.
This includes the purchase price, when ownership will be transferred, any modifications or adjustments that will need to be made, and more.
How to Write a Motorcycle Bill of Sale in Maryland
Writing a motorcycle bill of sale in Maryland is a straightforward process, as long as you include all the important information, such as the following.
Step 1 – Fill in Buyer and Seller Information
Toward the top of the bill of sale, enter the seller’s and buyer’s full names, addresses, and contact information.
Both parties will sign at the bottom of the document. The notary public will also provide their signature in this area, along with the date on which the bill of sale was signed and witnessed.
Step 2 – Fill in Motorcycle Information
The majority of the bill of sale will actually be dedicated to information about the motorcycle itself.
In the middle section of the form, note the make and model, year, body style, vehicle identification number, and any other information to describe the motorcycle.
Include the purchase price of the motorcycle and the date of the sale.
Summary
In the end, whether you’re buying or selling a motorcycle in the state of Maryland, a properly completed bill of sale is absolutely an essential part of the process.
To find out more information about this or related topics, or to make things easier, use our motorcycle bill of sale template instructions.
Maryland Motorcycle Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of a Maryland motorcycle bill of sale form.
