Free Vermont Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Vermont motorcycle sales benefit from the same any-age titling policy that makes Vermont famous for classic cars — Vermont will issue titles to vintage motorcycles that have no title in other states, making it a destination for barn-find bike buyers nationwide. For straightforward in-state sales, the process is clean: 6% Purchase and Use Tax, no fixed buyer deadline in state law, annual safety inspection but zero emissions testing anywhere in Vermont, and plates that stay with the seller.
Free PDF includes a light diagonal watermark. Go Pro to remove it. Already subscribed? Sign in.
Vermont Motorcycle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Vermont's 6% Purchase and Use Tax applies to motorcycle sales, assessed on the greater of the sale price or J.D. Power clean trade-in value and collected by the VT DMV at title transfer. No local or county vehicle taxes apply.
Inspection Requirements
Vermont motorcycles require an annual safety inspection statewide. Vermont does not have any motorcycle emissions testing requirement. Inspection stations that handle motorcycles are common, though not every Vermont inspection station is certified to inspect motorcycles — confirm before scheduling.
Vermont Motorcycle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Complete a bill of sale with the VIN, engine number, year/make/model, odometer, sale price, and both parties' full names, addresses, and signatures.
- Seller endorses the Vermont motorcycle title on the reverse side, completing the odometer disclosure section.
- Seller removes the Vermont plates from the motorcycle — plates belong to the registered owner in Vermont.
- For vintage motorcycles with no prior title: seller provides a bill of sale, any available ownership documentation, and — where the DMV requires it — a notarized Affidavit of Non-Titled Vehicle (VT-025) (insurance records, prior registration certificates, repair receipts).
- Buyer completes Form VD-119 and brings it, the signed title (or, for untitled vintage bikes, the bill of sale and any required VT-025 affidavit), and a valid ID to the VT DMV before riding on Vermont roads.
- Buyer pays 6% Vermont Purchase and Use Tax on the greater of the sale price or J.D. Power clean trade-in value.
- Buyer obtains new Vermont plates and must pass Vermont's annual safety inspection before riding on public roads.
- Out-of-state buyers seeking a Vermont title for an old motorcycle: note the two-year registration path and consult the VT DMV before purchase.
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming vintage motorcycles automatically get a Vermont title on day one: out-of-state buyers using Vermont to obtain a title on a pre-1981 or untitled bike typically need to maintain Vermont registration for two years before converting to a certificate of title — this is not an instant process.
- Omitting the engine number: Vermont motorcycle titles reference both VIN and engine number. A bill of sale missing the engine number can complicate the VT DMV title application.
- Riding before registering: Vermont sets no fixed day count, but the motorcycle cannot be operated on Vermont roads until it is registered.
- Underestimating the J.D. Power value for vintage bikes: the VT DMV assesses Purchase and Use Tax on the J.D. Power clean trade-in value if the sale price is lower. Some vintage motorcycles have significant J.D. Power values that surprise buyers who paid a below-market private-sale price.
Pro Tip
Vermont motorcycle sales are practical and efficient — no emissions testing, no fixed transfer day count, and the unique Vermont ability to title bikes of any age. For classic and vintage motorcycle deals, Vermont's titling flexibility is unmatched in the country. Document the VIN and engine number precisely, remove your plates, and walk the buyer through the VD-119 process.