Free New Hampshire Motorcycle Bill of Sale
New Hampshire motorcycle sales benefit from the same zero-tax advantage as car sales — no sales tax, no Use Tax — making NH a popular destination for buyers from Massachusetts and Vermont purchasing performance or touring bikes. Motorcycles are titled through the NH DMV using Form TDMV 19A, with a 20-day transfer deadline. Unlike cars in the three southern counties, motorcycles are not subject to OBD-II emissions testing — only the annual safety inspection applies.
Free PDF includes a small watermark at the bottom. Go Pro to remove it. Already subscribed? Sign in.
New Hampshire Motorcycle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
New Hampshire has no state sales tax and no Use Tax on motorcycle purchases. The buyer pays only title and registration fees at the DMV — zero tax on the purchase price. New Hampshire municipalities do assess an annual property tax on registered motorcycles, though the amount is typically lower than for cars due to lower book values.
Inspection Requirements
New Hampshire requires an annual safety inspection for registered motorcycles. Unlike cars, motorcycles in New Hampshire are not subject to OBD-II emissions testing even in Hillsborough, Rockingham, and Merrimack counties — emissions testing applies only to OBD-II-equipped vehicles, which excludes most motorcycles.
New Hampshire Motorcycle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Prepare a bill of sale with the motorcycle VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, sale date, and both parties' full names and addresses.
- Seller completes odometer disclosure on the title for motorcycles under 20 model years old.
- Seller signs the New Hampshire title over to the buyer. If a lien is recorded, the seller must provide a lien-release letter from the lienholder.
- Buyer obtains Form TDMV 19A from any NH DMV location or the NH DMV website.
- Buyer visits an NH DMV location within 20 days of sale with TDMV 19A, the signed title, bill of sale, and valid ID.
- Buyer pays title and registration fees — no purchase tax is collected in New Hampshire on motorcycle sales.
- Seller removes New Hampshire plates at time of sale — plates stay with the seller.
- Buyer schedules an annual safety inspection at any NH-licensed motorcycle inspection station (emissions testing is not required for motorcycles).
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming the no-tax rule eliminates all costs: New Hampshire's annual municipal property tax applies to registered motorcycles, though amounts are generally lower than for cars. A $12,000 sport bike might generate $100–$200 in annual town taxes depending on assessed value and municipality.
- Missing the VIN on the frame: motorcycle VINs are typically stamped on the steering neck. Some older bikes have VINs in additional locations. The VIN on the bill of sale must match the VIN on the title exactly — any discrepancy causes the NH DMV to hold the title application.
- Leaving the plates with the bike: New Hampshire motorcycle plates belong to the seller. A buyer riding home on the seller's plates is unregistered. The seller should remove the plates at handoff; buyers can apply for temporary operating authority at the NH DMV if needed before new plates are issued.
- Assuming emissions testing applies: buyers from Massachusetts (where motorcycles are not emissions-tested) sometimes worry unnecessarily. New Hampshire does not require OBD-II emissions testing for motorcycles in any county — only the annual safety inspection.
Pro Tip
New Hampshire motorcycle sales are among the most tax-efficient private vehicle transactions in the Northeast — no purchase tax, no emissions test, straightforward TDMV 19A filing within 20 days. The annual safety inspection requirement is the main ongoing compliance item. Sellers need only hand over a signed title and bill of sale and remove their plates; there is no seller notification or release-of-liability form required in New Hampshire.