North Dakota Motorcycle Bill of Sale

Although a bill of sale document isn’t required in North Dakota to transfer the title of a motorcycle, having one can offer an extra layer of security for both parties.

The buyer and seller will enjoy protection by the bill of sale in the event of a legal disagreement, and it also functions as proof of ownership.

A bill of sale is also helpful when obtaining a new title and registration in the buyer’s name from the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT).

Additionally, you can use a bill of sale to operate a recently purchased motorcycle that you still need to register as it is dated evidence of ownership.

The motorcycle buyer and seller should sign the bill of sale. Each participant should keep a copy of the bill of sale as proof of the transaction.

A bill of sale is unnecessary for motorcycle registration in North Dakota.

Under certain circumstances, a bill of sale can act as ownership documentation. However, the NDDOT will require the certificate of title and assignment, warranty of title, and other documents when registering your motorcycle.

Follow these procedures to transfer ownership of a motorcycle in North Dakota:

Step 1 – Complete and Sign the Bill of Sale

The buyer’s and seller’s names, addresses, contact information, the motorcycle’s make, model, year, odometer reading, vehicle identifying number (VIN), and the selling price should all be on the bill of sale.

Both parties must sign the motorcycle bill of sale.

Step 2 – Seller’s Responsibilities

The seller needs to provide the following documents when changing ownership:

• A certificate of title
• An Assignment and Warranty of Title form completed to include the buyer’s name, the purchase price and date, current odometer reading (model 2011 and newer) and signed by the seller
• A Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement if the motorcycle is less than nine years old

Step 3 – Buyer’s Responsibilities

The buyer needs the following documents:

• A Purchaser’s Certification and Application completed and signed by the buyer
• An Application for the Certificate of Title and Registration of a Vehicle
• Proof of insurance
• A driver’s license or photo ID

Step 4 – Submit the Required Paperwork to the NDDOT

To register the motorcycle in their name, the buyer must bring the certificate of title and all the necessary paperwork mentioned above to an NDDOT office.

A certificate of vehicle inspection is needed if the motorcycle is homemade, modified, or rebuilt.

The same paperwork required will depend on the conditions of the sale, so it’s best to check with your NDDOT office to find out what’s needed.

Step 5 – Pay All Relevant Fees

At the time of registration, the buyer must pay all applicable fees – title transfer and registration – to the NDDOT, including sales tax.

Step 6 – Get New License Plates and Registration Documents

The buyer will receive new license plates and registration in their name once the NDDOT has processed the application.

It’s important to remember that to prevent any late fees or fines, you must finish the transfer of ownership within 30 days of the transaction closing.

You cannot transfer title in North Dakota using just a bill of sale.

Although a bill of sale is a vital record that acts as evidence of a change in ownership, transferring ownership of a motorcycle in North Dakota with a bill of sale only (and no title) is impossible.

A purchase without a title certificate is only possible under exceptional circumstances.

A motorcycle bill of sale doesn’t need to be notarized in North Dakota if you can provide a title in a sales transaction. (An exception to this is if a seller is using North Dakota’s seller’s certificate and vehicle bill of sale form.)

It’s important to remember that even though a notary isn’t necessary, getting a notary to observe the signatures can add extra security and protection to the deal.

Additionally, if the buyer takes out a loan to purchase the motorcycle, the lender may require a notarized bill of sale as part of the loan documentation.

Buying a Motorcycle in North Dakota

The basic procedures for purchasing a motorcycle in North Dakota are as follows:

Step 1 – Research

Look online and in classified ads and visit a motorcycle dealership to do your research and choose the motorcycle that best suits your needs and budget.

Step 2 – Inspection

Examine the motorcycle carefully before buying it to ensure it’s in excellent working order and meets all your requirements.

If you don’t have any experience with motorcycles, consider bringing a mechanic or other seasoned expert to help you examine the bike.

Step 3 – Negotiate the Price

Negotiate the price with the seller when you’ve found the motorcycle you want to buy.

Step 4 – Complete the Bill of Sale

When you and the seller eventually agree on the price, complete a bill of sale with the seller’s and buyer’s names and contact information and the motorcycle’s make, model, year, odometer reading, and vehicle identifying number (VIN), as well as the selling price.

The buyer and seller must sign the bill of sale.

Step 5 – Get the Necessary Paperwork

The seller is responsible for supplying the buyer with the necessary paperwork to transfer the title and for the buyer to complete registration with the NDDOT.

Step 6 – Register the Motorcycle

To register the motorcycle in the buyer’s name, the buyer must submit the above paperwork to an NDDOT office.

The paperwork will depend on the sale’s specifics, so it’s best to consult with the NDDOT to determine precisely what’s needed.

Step 7 – Pay All Applicable Fees

At the time of registration, the buyer must pay all applicable fees, including registration fees, title transfer fees, and sales tax.

Step 8 – Receive New License Plates and Registration

Once the NDDOT has processed the application, the buyer will receive new license plates and registration in their name.

Remember that, unlike buying a motorcycle from a dealer, if you’re purchasing a motorcycle from a private seller, you’ll be required to carry out all the steps above yourself.

Selling a Motorcycle in North Dakota

The basic procedures for selling a motorcycle in North Dakota are as follows:

Step 1 – Gather the Necessary Paperwork

You must supply the buyer with the title certificate for the motorcycle and other necessary documents to transfer ownership.

Step 2 – Determine the Selling Price

Set the sale price by researching the motorcycle’s value in your area using tools like the Kelley Blue Book, NADA Guides, and other comparable resources.

These will help you set a selling price that’s fair and reasonable.

Step 3 – Advertise Your Motorcycle for Sale

You can use various platforms for advertising your motorcycle for sale, including internet ads, biker groups, and social media.

Step 4 – Meeting With the Potential Buyer

Once you’ve identified a potential buyer for your motorcycle, set up a meeting so they can inspect it.

Step 5 – Finalize the Sale

Once the buyer has indicated an interest in buying your motorcycle, you can negotiate the final selling price and finish the transaction (including filling out, signing, and handing over a bill of sale).

To finalize the transfer of ownership, you need to sign over the title certificate and the assignment and warranty of title to the buyer as well as provide all other paperwork outlined above.

The buyer must file this along with their registration documents with the NDDOT.

Step 6 – Remove the License Plate(s)

Remove the license plate(s) from the motorcycle.

Step 7 – Discontinue Your Motorcycle Insurance

To avoid overspending on insurance, you should discontinue your motorcycle insurance policy immediately after selling your motorcycle.

It’s essential to remember that the exact steps for selling a motorcycle in North Dakota can vary depending on specific circumstances, such as whether or not the bike is subject to any liens or the title certificate is missing.

For particular conditions and the required processes, it’s always a good idea to speak with the NDDOT or a certified motorcycle dealer.

Follow these procedures to write a motorcycle bill of sale for North Dakota:

Step 1 – Fill in Buyer and Seller Information

Include the buyer’s and seller’s complete legal names, addresses, and contact information.

Step 2 – Fill in Motorcycle Information

Include the make, model, year, VIN, color, odometer reading, and other unique characteristics to identify the motorcycle.

Step 3 – Specify the Selling Price and List Any Extras

When stating the sale price, indicate whether any extras or components are included in the selling price when stating the sale price.

Step 4 – Spell Out Any Warranty Information

If available, mention any pertinent promises or guarantees for the motorcycle.

Alternatively, include a clause stating that the bike is being sold “as-is” — which means the buyer accepts the motorcycle in its present form without any promises or guarantees from the seller (presuming there aren’t any).

Step 5 – Sign and Date the Bill of Sale

The buyer and seller should date and sign the bill of sale.

Step 6 – Retain a Copy of the Bill of Sale

Lastly, ensure the buyer and seller have copies of the bill of sale for their records.

In summary, a motorcycle bill of sale is not required in North Dakota when buying or selling a motorcycle, but having one is wise for the buyer and the seller in a sales transaction.

Use our document builder to create a customized motorcycle bill of sale form for North Dakota.

Below is an example of a North Dakota motorcycle bill of sale.