Free Alabama Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Selling a motorcycle in Alabama follows the same ALEA Motor Vehicle Division process as a car, with one important distinction: the VIN on a motorcycle is stamped on the frame rather than a dashboard plate, so both parties should physically verify the VIN at the time of sale and confirm it matches the title exactly. Alabama has no official motorcycle-specific bill-of-sale form — a clearly written document works — but the buyer still needs Form MVT 5-1 to get a new title from the county probate judge's office within 20 days.
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Alabama Motorcycle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Same 2% state sales tax structure as automobiles applies to motorcycles. County and municipal rates vary; confirm the combined rate at the buyer's county probate office.
Inspection Requirements
No statewide safety or emissions inspection is required for motorcycle sales or registration in Alabama.
Alabama Motorcycle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Physically locate the VIN on the motorcycle frame (typically on the steering head or down tube) and confirm it matches the VIN on the existing Alabama title.
- Write a bill of sale including: VIN, year, make, model, engine size (cc), odometer reading if the bike has one, sale price, and full names and addresses of both parties.
- Sign the seller section on the back of the existing title; have both parties sign the bill of sale.
- Remove your license plate before the buyer leaves — Alabama plates stay with the seller.
- Hand the buyer the signed title, bill of sale, and any lien-release documentation.
- Buyer files Form MVT 5-1 and the signed title at the county probate judge's office within 20 calendar days, paying 2% state sales tax and title fees.
- Buyer obtains Alabama motorcycle insurance before registering and riding the bike.
- Both parties retain copies of all documents for at least seven years.
Common Pitfalls
- VIN mismatch between the frame and title: motorcycles are stolen and re-VINed more often than cars. Buyers should run the VIN through NICB's VINCheck before paying, and sellers should confirm the VIN on the title is legible and unaltered.
- Forgetting that off-road motorcycles still need a bill of sale: even if an ALEA title is not required for a dirt bike, a signed bill of sale is the only evidence of ownership if the bike is stolen or a dispute arises.
- Leaving the license plate on the motorcycle: Alabama plates belong to the seller. A seller who forgets to remove the plate can receive citations or toll charges from the buyer's subsequent riding.
- Missing the 20-day title-transfer deadline: the penalty for late filing at the probate office applies to motorcycles just as it does to cars.
Pro Tip
Sellers of high-value motorcycles should consider running a lien search at the ALEA Motor Vehicle Division before listing the bike for sale, to confirm the title is free and clear. A clean lien status speeds up the probate-office process for the buyer and reduces the chance of a deal falling through on closing day.