Whether you’re buying or selling a motorcycle, or as an individual or business owner with a motorcycle in your possession, you’ll need to get it titled. If you’re trying to figure out the steps to get a motorcycle title, we’re going to cover what the difference is, and how you can get a title for your bike if you need one.
Motorcycles and cars are both types of vehicles, so the only difference between a motorcycle title and a car title is the type of vehicle. A motorcycle title identifies the owner of the motorcycle along with the motorcycle specifications, VIN, and lienholder(s) if applicable. A motorcycle title can be transferred just like a car title.
So if the two titles are the same, why is it more challenging to get a title for a motorcycle rather than a car or truck?
The reason that it’s more challenging to get a title for a motorcycle is because of the VIN placements on the vehicle. The VIN (vehicle identification number) is a 17-character string that identifies the specific vehicle. No two vehicles will have the same VIN. In most cars and trucks, there are about 14-15 different placements where you’ll find the VIN. Oftentimes the VIN can be found on the cowl, door jambs, and in other hidden areas around the vehicle.
However, motorcycles are much smaller vehicles than cars and have less surface area to place the VIN. Many motorcycle VINs can be found on the forks, neck, close to the handlebars, somewhere on the frame, or in older models on the engine. The DMV recognizes that all motorcycles have different VIN placements so the process to verify that VIN is much more scrutinized which can cause the process to take longer than usual. In older Harley Davidson models, the VIN is located on the engine which makes it easier for auto thieves to swap a stolen body with a new engine and VIN.
To get a title for a motorcycle, first, gather all of the ownership documentation you can obtain.
The easiest way to transfer a motorcycle title is to have the prior title signed over to you by the registered owner. At the time of purchase, make sure that the seller signs the back of the certificate of title over to you before you hand them payment. Additionally, make sure that the seller is the registered owner by checking their photo ID and comparing that to the name on the title.
Once you have the certificate of title signed properly by the registered owner, take the title to the DMV along with your state title application and fees to obtain a new motorcycle title in your name.
If you do not have the prior title, you should first make all attempts possible to get it and proceed with the traditional title method. If you aren’t able to obtain the prior title, here are some ways you can still get the motorcycle title you’re looking for:
Prior owner contact
The first method to try is to contact the prior owner and ask them to apply for a duplicate title and then sign it over to you. If you know the prior owner and they’re willing to help, this is a great method to use to be able to have a traditional title transfer. Once a duplicate title is issued, it becomes the only valid certificate of title for the vehicle and can be used in a transfer.
If you don’t know the prior owner, you can submit a DPPA request to your state DMV. The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) prevents motor vehicle and driver records from being public information. This means there is no public database for vehicle ownership. Because of the severe privacy standards of the DPPA, not all requests are granted. If you’re having trouble contacting the prior owner of your vehicle, our title experts can help bridge that gap.
Learn more about our prior owner search contact service.
Bonded title
A bonded title can be obtained if you have a car with no title and limited documentation. The bonded title process requires the vehicle owner to purchase a surety bond for the vehicle which typically is under $100. The surety bond allows for protection for the lender if someone else were to prove ownership of the vehicle or otherwise invalidate the bonded title. Once you have your bonded title, you can register the vehicle at your local DMV. Be sure to check your state laws as not all states accept bonded titles.
Vermont loophole
The Vermont loophole has been used for years as a way for vehicle owners to get a title for a vehicle over 15 years old. Vermont is a non-titling jurisdiction, meaning they do not produce titles for vehicles over a certain year. The loophole is that just about anyone, not just residents of Vermont can use this method if they have a bill of sale and a car over 15 years old. By registering your 15+-year-old car in Vermont, the registration itself is the state’s version of a car title for that age of vehicle. After you register your car in Vermont, you can then transfer the registration to a title in your home state.
Court order title
If all else fails, your county court may be able to help. A court-ordered title is a very valuable method to get a title. It may take some extra steps, but once you have a court order from a judge that declares you the owner of the vehicle, the DMV is required by law to issue you a new title in your name. Use this method as a last resort as the courts will likely require you to attempt to get a title using other methods first.
There are many ways to get a title for a motorcycle, the best way for you will depend on the evidence of ownership you have. Before applying for a title, make sure you have all of the required documents for your title method and your state.
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In today’s world, financing your next car is common. If you are thinking about financing a car, you may want to know what happens with your car title when it is financed. When you finance a car, you sign an agreement with the loan provider (lender). This means that they will own the title of the vehicle until you pay them back according to the given terms and conditions. This article will explain what happens with your car title when it is financed so that you can make an informed decision.
A car title is a document that proves that you own a certain vehicle. It is similar to a deed, except that it is for a vehicle rather than for a house. In order to drive a car, you must have a valid title for it. Car titles are issued by the state where you live. You can find the title on the car’s registration. The car title will have information such as the make and model of the car, the car’s VIN (vehicle identification number), your name, the car’s year, the car’s make, the car’s model, the car’s odometer reading, the car’s purchase date, and the car’s purchase price. If you have a car title, you can use it to sell the car, trade it in, or obtain a loan.
When you finance a car, you are taking out a loan to purchase the car. You pay the car’s seller the full price of the car, and then you make loan payments to the lender. The lender gives you the money to purchase the car, but they also want to be protected in case you are unable to pay them back. That is why, when you finance a car, the lender will obtain the title to the car. Once you have finished paying off the loan, you will get the title back from the lender.
When you finance a car, the lender will obtain the title to the car. This means that they will own the car until you finish paying off the loan. If you were to sell the car before you have paid off the loan, the lender may request the remaining balance from the buyer or from you. If you were to die while you have a car loan, the lender will be able to take the title from your estate.
As you can see, financing a car means that you must give the lender the title to your vehicle. However, it is important to note that you do have the right to redeem your vehicle at any time. This means that, if you suddenly have more money, you can pay off your loan early with the title in hand. To get your title back from your lender, send them a lien release request letter. If you are unable to redeem the vehicle, then you have the right to sell the vehicle to the lender.
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If you rent or own a storage facility to store your customers’ vehicles, you may have an opportunity to recoup some of your expenses with a storage lien. With a storage lien, you can recover the costs of storing a vehicle if the owner does not pay for the services within a certain time period. This helps incentivize owners to pay promptly and lower your chances of becoming stuck with the bill if they don’t. In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how to file a storage lien for vehicles so that you can begin establishing your own policies and procedures immediately. Read on to learn more!
A storage lien is a legal claim on a vehicle that’s in storage. It allows the person storing the vehicle (usually the owner or operator of a car storage facility) to recover their expenses if the vehicle owner does not pay a certain amount of money (usually the amount owed for storage services) within a certain amount of time. You’re allowed to file a storage lien against a vehicle if the owner of the vehicle has failed to pay the amount due for storage services within 30 days. If the vehicle owner fails to pay the amount due for 60 days, you can file a claim of lien against his or her vehicle with the county clerk’s office. This makes it easier for you to recoup the money you’re owed, but it also gives the vehicle owner ample opportunity to dispute the claim and get it dismissed.
You can only file a storage lien against a vehicle if all of the following are true:
Here’s what you’ll need to do to file a storage lien against a vehicle: – Mark the vehicle as “stored.” This will allow you to keep track of the date that the vehicle first came into your possession, which you’ll need to do to make sure that the vehicle is in your possession for at least 15 days.
Here are a few things to keep in mind while filing a storage lien against a vehicle:
The process of filing a storage lien is a great way to protect yourself against customers who don’t pay promptly. It’s important to note that even though you can file a storage lien after the vehicle has been in your possession for 15 days, you should send the owner of the vehicle a written demand for payment as soon as you take the vehicle into storage. This gives the owner ample time to pay the amount owed before you file a lien. The best way to protect yourself when storing vehicles for customers is to make sure that you get everything in writing. Have the customer sign a contract that states that they are responsible for paying for the storage fees if they don’t pay within a certain amount of time. For more information, reach out to your state’s or local government authority to find out what the laws are in your jurisdiction.
A common question among those looking for a car title is why is it so hard to get a car title? If you have the prior certificate of title, the process will be a bit easier. But what happens if you are missing ownership documentation? On the surface, there are many different methods and rules to follow to get a car title and it may seem more difficult than it’s worth. However, there is a reason why it can be challenging, and it’s not to make your life difficult.
A car title, also known as a vehicle title or certificate of title, is a legal document that assigns the ownership of a vehicle. The car title also states the identifying factors of the vehicle such as VIN, make, model, year, etc. Every car title is different and no two cars will have the same title, even if they’re the same make and model year.
The DMV makes it intentionally difficult to get a title, not because they want to make your life problematic, but because by issuing a car title to someone, the DMV is effectively taking away the title rights from the prior owner.
At any given time, there can only be one valid copy of the certificate of title. A photocopy or photograph is not an acceptable or official copy. When the DMV transfers the ownership of a vehicle, the prior information is archived and the new owner information is updated. Once that new owner information is updated, no one other than that listed owner can make changes to the title record. The DMV wants to make sure that the right people are being issued titles for vehicles.
In the event that the new owner is obtaining ownership through an invalid transfer, the DMV has time to search their title records to notify the correct owner of the title change request. Once the title is issued from the DMV, it is an official certificate of title and if you don’t have the proper paperwork to prove the car is yours, it’s gone.
Greetings, automotive enthusiasts! In our ever-evolving world of cars and auctions, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest trends and changes. Today, we’re excited to share insights from one of our major partners, Mannheim Auto Auctions, shedding light on the current dynamics in the used car market.
According to Mannheim Auto Auctions’ statistics, there’s a notable improvement in the used car supply chain. Dealers are experiencing increased access to inventory, with more vehicles making their way through the auction lanes. While auction prices are currently stable, there are indicators suggesting a potential slowdown, hinting at forthcoming reductions in vehicle values.
For individuals looking to sell their vehicles, this could be an opportune moment. As predictions circulate about a possible dip in car values, selling now might yield more favorable returns. The anticipated increase in inventory might lead to a more competitive market, providing sellers with additional negotiation points.
Conversations with dealerships affirm the positive changes in the automotive landscape. New cars, once pre-sold before hitting the ground, are now occasionally remaining unsold for a brief period. This shift indicates a growing inventory, offering buyers a more extensive selection. While dealership lots may not be brimming, the days of empty lots with cars parked strategically to give an illusion of abundance might be behind us.
For used car buyers, the prospect of dealerships having a fuller lot is a positive development. With more options available, buyers may find themselves in a better position to negotiate and explore a broader range of choices. Additionally, the anticipated ease in prices could make the used car market more accessible and affordable.
As we navigate these changes, our commitment is to keep you informed. We encourage you to share your observations – are prices coming down in your area? Have you noticed other lots becoming more populated with vehicles? If you’re a dealer, what’s your experience with the increasing inventory on your lot?
We’ll be closely monitoring these shifts in the automotive marketplace. Subscribe to our channel to stay updated with the latest developments. Your insights and experiences are invaluable to our community, so feel free to let us know what you’re observing in your region.
The automotive industry is ever-changing, and these insights from Mannheim Auto Auctions offer a glimpse into a new chapter. Whether you’re a seller, buyer, or industry insider, these shifts present both challenges and opportunities. Let’s embark on this journey together and continue to navigate the exciting landscape of the automotive marketplace. Safe travels and happy driving!
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