Free North Dakota Motorcycle Bill of Sale
North Dakota gives a motorcycle buyer 30 days to apply for the new title, counted from the day the buyer receives the endorsed title. The application is SFN 2872 through the NDDOT system, the tax is a flat 5% motor vehicle excise with no local additions, and no inspection of any kind applies to motorcycles. The one discipline worth keeping: date the bill of sale and the title handover precisely, because the seller must deliver the endorsed title within 30 days of the sale and the buyer's clock starts when it arrives.
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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 →
North Dakota Motorcycle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
SFN 2872
Motor Vehicle Title Application
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
5%
Title Required
Yes
Same 30-day deadline and SFN 2872 for motorcycles.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
Same 5% excise tax on motorcycle purchases.
North Dakota Motorcycle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Date the bill of sale exactly — the seller's 30 days to hand over the title run from the sale date, and precision protects both parties.
- Verify the frame VIN against the North Dakota title.
- Complete the bill of sale with VIN, year, make, model, odometer, price, and both signatures.
- Seller signs the title over with the odometer disclosure.
- Buyer files form SFN 2872 within 30 days of receiving the endorsed title.
- Buyer pays the 5% motor vehicle excise tax — flat, with no county or city additions.
- No inspections — North Dakota tests neither safety nor emissions on motorcycles.
Common Pitfalls
- Letting the deadline slip — 30 days from receiving the title arrives fast, and filing late can put the registration at risk.
- Leaving the sale and title-handover dates vague on the paperwork — the deadlines run from them.
- Budgeting local taxes — the 5% excise is the whole bill everywhere in North Dakota.
- Using another state's form — the application North Dakota wants is SFN 2872.
Pro Tip
ND motorcycle: SFN 2872 + NDDOT + 30-day + 5% excise tax.
North Dakota Motorcycle Bill of Sale — FAQs
How long do I have to transfer a motorcycle title in North Dakota?
30 days from the day you receive the seller-signed title — and the seller must hand it over within 30 days of the sale. File form SFN 2872 with the title and pay the 5% excise tax. Late filing can lead to suspension of the registration and is a class B misdemeanor.
What tax applies to a used motorcycle in North Dakota?
The 5% motor vehicle excise tax (the statute says purchase price; NDDOT's 2026 private-party form says fair market value), flat across the state — no county or municipal vehicle taxes exist in North Dakota. It's paid once, at titling.
Does North Dakota inspect motorcycles?
No — no safety inspection and no emissions testing apply to motorcycles at sale or registration. The entire transfer rests on the paperwork: a precisely dated bill of sale, the signed title, and SFN 2872 within the 30-day window.