Free Alabama Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Selling a motorcycle in Alabama follows the same Alabama title 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, but the buyer still needs Form MVT 5-1E to get a new title through the county license plate office, and must register within 20 calendar 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 license plate 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 5-1E and the signed title at the county license plate 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 Alabama 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 registration deadline: the late penalty applies to motorcycles just as it does to cars.
Pro Tip
Sellers of high-value motorcycles should consider running a lien search with the Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division before listing the bike for sale, to confirm the title is free and clear. A clean lien status speeds up the county-office process for the buyer and reduces the chance of a deal falling through on closing day.