Legal Templates

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form

Create a Pennsylvania motorcycle bill of sale from our attorney-drafted template so you can document the important details of your sale.

pennsylvania motorcycle bill of sale

Updated April 19, 2023
Reviewed by Susan Chai, Esq.

When buying or selling a motorcycle in Pennsylvania, you must register and title the motorcycle for use on Pennsylvania roads.

A motorcycle bill of sale form for Pennsylvania provides legal proof of the purchase and sale, which helps with the titling, registration, and payment of taxes for the motorcycle. 

Table of Contents

What is a Pennsylvania Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form?

A motorcycle bill of sale form in Pennsylvania is a legally binding contract between the buyer and the seller of a motorcycle.

The goal is to provide clear documentation of the ownership transfer and the purchase amount.

You may also need a trailer bill of sale or equipment bill of sale if you plan to buy or sell additional equipment or items along with the motorcycle. 

Is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form Required in Pennsylvania?

You are not required to use a motorcycle bill of sale form to transfer your motorcycle ownership in Pennsylvania.

However, keeping all the transaction information in one easy-to-access legal document is helpful.

With the signatures of both the buyer and seller, a Pennsylvania motorcycle bill of sale is a binding agreement that can support your ownership claim in case of a legal dispute.

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

You do not need a motorcycle bill of sale form for registration in Pennsylvania. To register the motorcycle, you must transfer the certificate of title from the previous owner to the new owner.

Once you have transferred the title, you need the following documents to register your motorcycle in Pennsylvania:

Depending on the details of your sale, you may need to provide additional documentation. Contact your local PennDOT office to see if it requires further information. 

How Do I Transfer Ownership of a Motorcycle in Pennsylvania?

To transfer ownership of a motorcycle in Pennsylvania, the buyer and seller must do the following:

  • Seller lists the purchaser’s name and address on the existing certificate of title and the purchaser prints their name and signs. 
  • Seller prints their name and signs the title in the presence of a notary for notarization or an authorized agent for verification.
  • Seller discloses the odometer reading in Section A on the back of the title.
  • If necessary, the purchaser completes Section D on the front of the title with lien or financing information.
  • Seller removes the old license plate(s).
  • Purchaser registers the motorcycle and obtains new plate(s).

You should complete the title application in the presence of an agent, tag service, or motor vehicle dealer authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

The motorcycle’s title is transferred to the new owner when the certificate of title is completed, signed, and notarized (or verified). 

Consult with your local PennDOT agent if your title is from out-of-state. Out-of-state motorcycle titles may have different areas to sign for the ownership transfer.

Your PennDOT agent can advise whether you need additional information, such as VIN tracing or verification, to complete your title transfer.

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Bill of Sale – No Title

Although a bill of sale is valuable for proving ownership, purchasing a motorcycle in Pennsylvania with only a bill of sale is not possible.

You must have the motorcycle’s certificate of title from the previous owner to transfer ownership to the buyer. If the title is destroyed, stolen, or lost, the seller must obtain a duplicate or replacement copy of the title before selling the motorcycle. 

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

When you transfer motorcycle ownership, the certificate of title must be notarized or verified. The bill of sale, however, only needs to be signed by all the buyers and sellers.

As long as both the buyer and seller sign, the document becomes a legally binding sales agreement. 

Buying and Selling a Motorcycle in Pennsylvania

Whether you’re buying or selling a motorcycle in Pennsylvania, follow these steps to navigate the process smoothly:

STEP 1 – Posting and Responding to Motorcycle Ads

You can post your motorcycle for sale on local sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

For a wider audience, consider posting an ad on a national site like Autotrader or RumbleOn.

If you want to purchase, view these local and national listings to find the right motorcycle.

Step 2- Meeting With the Potential Buyer

Set up a meeting for t bheuyer to view the motorcycle. The buyer may want to inspect the bike or look up the VIN for accident reports or other potential issues. 

Step 3- Negotiating the Sale

Sometimes, sellers stick to the price on the listing. Other times, they may be willing to negotiate a lower price or agree to an exchange.

Remember that even if you obtain the motorcycle via a property exchange, the purchaser will still owe sales tax for the motorcycle’s value.

Step 4 – Completing the Bill of Sale

After both parties have agreed to the terms of the sale, fill out the bill of sale.

Include all the details about the sale, including the motorcycle description, buyer and seller information, date of the sale, and purchase price amount.

Step 5 – Transferring the Title

You should transfer the title in the presence of a PennDOT-authorized agent who can verify the signatures instead of notarization.

The buyer and seller should go to the agent with the title to complete the transfer. Be sure to bring valid identification documents.

If there are multiple owners on the title, all owners must be present to sign before either the notary or authorized agent.

How to Write a Motorcycle Bill of Sale in Pennsylvania (What to Include)

For a valid Pennsylvania motorcycle bill of sale, be sure to provide complete and accurate information as follows:

Step 1 – Fill in Buyer and Seller Information

Enter the buyer and seller’s names, addresses, and contact information. If there are multiple owners, be sure to enter information for everyone named on the title. 

Step 2 – Fill in the Motorcycle Information 

Add details about the motorcycle, including make, model, year, color, odometer reading, and VIN.

If there are any cosmetic or functional issues with the bike, make a note of them. If you are selling the motorcycle as-is, note this as well.

Step 3 – Fill in the Price and Payment Terms

Note the total purchase price on your Pennsylvania motorcycle bill of sale.

Note the payment method, any payment arrangements, financing details, liens, or other specifics necessary for the sale. 

Step 4 – Sign and Date the Bill of Sale

All parties should sign and date the bill of sale. Once everyone has signed, the agreement is legal and binding.

The bill of sale does not have to be notarized. Note that the transfer of ownership is only complete when the seller properly transfers the title to the buyer.

Summary

When you buy or sell a motorcycle in Pennsylvania, a motorcycle bill of sale can help you document the terms of the sale and streamline the titling and registration process.

Fill out a printable motorcycle bill of sale for Pennsylvania at LegalTemplates.

This easy-to-use Pennsylvania motorcycle bill of sale helps you create a legally binding document to protect both the buyer and seller during the bike’s transfer of ownership. 

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Bill of Sale Sample

Below is an example of a Pennsylvania motorcycle bill of sale form.

pennsylvania motorcycle bill of sale

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pennsylvania motorcycle bill of sale

The document above is a sample. Please note that the language you see here may change depending on your answers to the document questionnaire.

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