I'm in the process of trying to get a bike with no title and only bill of sale.  I'm a little bit ignorant to these things...

what does it entail for this to go to dmv?

what are anything that i should look for as far as title or this being hot?

anyone done this before..what's the process?

any help is appreciated...thanks!

It varies from state to state. I just moved from Norfolk and as I recall their DMV was pretty straightforward.(compared to some others :x)

The forms are here:  http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/titling.asp

They have info about replacement titles also http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/replacement.asp

If it was totaled you may need a "salvage title".

ok..here's the situaion

the guy is selling me a bike...he's only providing a bill of sale

does this mean i can't get a title for it?  any issues that dmv might give me if i try to get a title with just a bill of sale?

i don't want dmv to think i stole this bike....

When the bike is first sold it is titled, any subsequent transactions should have involved a title transfer. To be legally transferred to you, the owner has to sign the title over to you. In most states, if you don't have the title in your name, you don't own the vehicle. A bill of sale is not sufficient to transfer ownership in most cases. ( I'm not a lawyer, just what I was told by DMV folks)

If the current owner lost the title, then a replacement can be ordered. I just went through this in Texas, the bike was still titled in Florida and owned by a Russian, which made things interesting. You will need the owner's signature on the title request form.

If the owner has no knowledge of the title then you should be careful. I think DMV can do a title search with the VIN number, but only in that state in most cases. It may have been totaled in an accident and rebuilt or it could be stolen, who knows.

Good luck.

It's not worth much $$ without a title (like $300-$600).  If the DMV has no record of it at all, then you can probably apply for "salvage title", which will have an extra inspection fee.  

But beware, if they have a valid title still on file, then they will not issue a salvage title.  They will tell you to go find the title holder and get the title. They may (or may not) even tell you the name of the title holder to make your job easier.

If the titleholder is the guy who is selling you the bike, then you can help him file for a replacement title. He'll be motivated, since you're offering him $$. If you find that the title holder is someone else (like seller's cousin's classmate's uncle), then you'd have to call that person up and say

QuoteHi, John.  My name is ChinoX.  Remember that bike you sold to your nephew?  He never got the title.  And he sold it to a classmate, who sold it to a cousin, who sold it to me.  And I need the title to register it.  So could you sign it over to me please?

At that point, he may say "I lost the title.  Go away, I'm busy."   Or "My loser nephew never paid for it.  Forget it."  Or "Maybe I can help you... how much is it worth to you?"  

The best thing that can happen is that you can find the title holder, and he is happy to sign it over (or else request a replacement title, and sign that over).  Some people are just nice folks.  But without the help of that person, the best you can hope for is that the DMV won't be able to find any record of the bike at all (and then they may give you a salvage title).

It doesn't cost anything to take the VIN# down to the DMV, explain the situation, and ask them to see if they have a title on record.

Quote from: chinox22xI'm in the process of trying to get a bike with no title and only bill of sale.  I'm a little bit ignorant to these things...

what does it entail for this to go to dmv?

what are anything that i should look for as far as title or this being hot?

anyone done this before..what's the process?

any help is appreciated...thanks!

Walk away from it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why does he not have a title for the bike??

Is it his bike to sell or does it belong to someone else?

As stated in one of the other post if it is his bike he should be able to get a new title and then sell you the bike if it belongs to him.

If you must have the bike make sure you check the serial numbers on the frame and the motor and they should match.  If they do not match then for some reason the bike has a new motor???  

If you have the VIN you can check it with your local DMV or if you know any police officers they might be willing to run it for.

If you buy the bike and it turns out to be stolen then you can be in legal trouble for stolen goods.  

Even if he has a title ask to see some form of ID to make sure that he is the legal owner of the bike.

Only buy a bike or car if you have a clear title and that you are buying if from the person whos name is on the title not his brother, uncle, roommate, etc.  

Again ask why he has no title!

In some states any vehicle over 10 or 15 years old, doesnt require a title, but the plates are perminately asigned to the vehicle.