Buying a used motorcycle(not from dealer)

Question

I am buying a motorcycle off of a private individual and I was wondering if I could use my same license plate and insurance from the motorcycle I just sold. I don't know how the process is but I am looking at the bike and POSSIBLY buying it. I don't want to get insurance for a bike I am not sure I am buying and I can't register it. How does this process work?

Answer 1

If you intend to attach your old tag to this possible purchase before you register the tag to this motorcycle you will be violating the law of EVERY state. If you want to test ride, the lesser offense would be to ride it with NO registration at all. That will be driving an unregistered vehicle. No deceipt intended, just no tag. To put a registration that is not assigned to the vehicle is riding with an illegal registration with attempt to deceive. That's a much more serious offense in all states. You must first buy from the seller and then pay your sales tax and title fees at your state office or legal representative of the state, and at that time legally transfer your old tag to the new bike. If your tag is expired you may as well get a new one. Same price usually. If out of state and no trailer is available and you can't rent something to haul it home you could ask the current owner to ride it to your house with his tag and either take him home or have his friend follow him. Or....you could ride it home and pray that nothing happens to draw attention to you.

Answer 2

depends on the state.  

Answer 3

In almost every state you can test drive the vehicle without a tag on it. A bill of sale serves as temporary registration in MOST states. In MOST states you have 10-14 days to register the vehicle. You can ask your insurance company about "drive off insurance" through your regular policy. I have a policy that insures not only my bike, but any other bike I ride......whether or NOT it is insured by the owner. This includes test rides from a derlership. Many companies offer coverage like that but won't tell you unless you ask.

NEVER put a license plate on avehicle unless the plate is registered to THAT vehicle!!!!!!

Answer 4

The state I reside in allow you to drive a vehicle, regardless of type, from point of purchase to your home WITHOUT tag.  Just have the title signed over and bill of sale.  The other thing most state will do, with proof of insurance, is issue a 'temporary' tag at the cost od few bucks and is usually good for 10-15 days.  If you decide to purchase, complete the transaction during business hours, call you agent and have them fax a binder to insure you and the scoot.

As for transporting, there is a unit that attaches to the hitch assembly, providing you own a vehicle with a towing hitch, that is designed to handle towing a scoot.