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Free Mississippi Motorcycle Bill of Sale

Selling a motorcycle in Mississippi follows the same strict 7-working-day title-transfer deadline as a car — one of the tightest in the country. There is no separate motorcycle bill of sale form; any written document with the VIN, odometer, sale price, and both parties' signatures works alongside Form 78-006. Mississippi has no smog or safety inspection requirement, making the transaction itself straightforward as long as the buyer acts within the 7-working-day window.

Mississippi Requirements: Transfer title within 30 days. 5% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Motorcycle Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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Motorcycles are stolen and cloned more than any other vehicle type. Before completing this form, our guide shows you how to verify a VIN on the frame, what a frame/engine number mismatch means, and how to close a safe deal. Read: Motorcycle Bill of Sale: Complete Guide

Mississippi Motorcycle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Application for Certificate of Title
Agency
Mississippi Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Licensing Bureau
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
5%
Title Required
Yes
Motorcycles are titled as motor vehicles in Mississippi using the same Form 78-006 as cars. The VIN is required on both the title and bill of sale.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

The same 5% Mississippi Use Tax that applies to cars applies to motorcycles, assessed on the purchase price at title transfer through the County Tax Collector.

Inspection Requirements

Mississippi does not require a safety inspection or emissions test for motorcycle sales. No inspection certificate is needed at title transfer.

Mississippi Motorcycle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Prepare a written bill of sale listing the motorcycle's VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, date of sale, and full names and addresses of both parties.
  2. Seller completes odometer disclosure on the title for motorcycles under 20 model years old.
  3. Seller signs the title over to the buyer and provides any lien-release document if a lienholder is listed on the title.
  4. Buyer obtains Form 78-006 from the County Tax Collector or downloads it from dor.ms.gov.
  5. Buyer visits the County Tax Collector (or Circuit Clerk in applicable counties) within 7 working days of the sale.
  6. Buyer pays 5% Mississippi Use Tax on the purchase price plus title and registration fees.
  7. Seller removes the Mississippi license plate — plates stay with the seller, not the motorcycle.
  8. Buyer applies for new motorcycle plates and registration sticker at the County Tax Collector.

Common Pitfalls

  • Underestimating the 7-working-day deadline: the 25% penalty on taxes and fees applies to motorcycles just as it does to cars. On a $6,000 bike with $300 in taxes and fees, the penalty is $75 — a painful and avoidable cost.
  • VIN location confusion: motorcycle VINs are typically stamped on the steering neck or frame — buyers should verify the physical VIN matches the title before completing the bill of sale.
  • Leaving a lien on the title: if the motorcycle was financed, the lienholder's name appears on the title. The seller must obtain and provide a lien-release letter before the title can be transferred. Mississippi County Tax Collectors will not process a title with an active lien.
  • Plates on the bike at handoff: Mississippi law requires the seller to remove plates. A buyer riding away on Mississippi-plated bike still registered to the seller creates registration and insurance exposure for the seller.

Pro Tip

Motorcycle sales in Mississippi are clean transactions — no inspection, no emissions, no state bill of sale form required. The one area that trips up buyers and sellers alike is the 7-working-day deadline and its 25% penalty. Communicate this to the buyer at the time of sale, confirm the VIN on the frame matches the title, and remove the plates before the handshake. That combination eliminates nearly all post-sale complications.

Mississippi Motorcycle Bill of Sale — FAQs

Is there a separate motorcycle bill of sale form in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi uses the same process for motorcycles as for cars — any written bill of sale plus Form 78-006 (Application for Certificate of Title) at the County Tax Collector. There is no motorcycle-specific DOR form. The bill of sale should clearly identify the VIN (not just the engine number) as the primary identifier.
Do I need a safety inspection to sell or register a motorcycle in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi has no statewide motorcycle safety inspection or emissions requirement. Unlike neighboring Tennessee (which requires an annual inspection), Mississippi buyers can complete the County Tax Collector title transfer without presenting any inspection certificate.
What is the 25% penalty for late motorcycle title transfer in Mississippi?
Mississippi Code § 63-21-31 imposes a penalty equal to 25% of all taxes and fees owed when the title is transferred outside the 7-working-day window. This penalty applies to all motor vehicles including motorcycles. It is calculated on the total owed (5% Use Tax + title fee + registration fee), not just the tax portion.
Can a buyer drive a motorcycle home from the sale without plates?
Mississippi does not issue a temporary operating permit for private motorcycle sales the way some states do. The seller must remove the plates at sale. A buyer driving home unplated is technically operating an unregistered vehicle. Practically, buyers should complete the County Tax Collector visit as quickly as possible — within 7 working days — to get legal plates.