How to get a title without using one of the title companies

[H1Pete]

Disclaimer - I originally posted this back in 2011 on the old board. No idea if it still works 100% or not. Just figured it would be good to pull over before the archive disappears. If someone has more current info please post it and I'll edit this post accordingly.

Pete

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Since people keep asking I thought I'd edit this to say, on the Vermont paperwork, just fill in your driver's license number. It does not have to be a VT license. I used my MD license. No issues.

So I'm thinking I should have titled this post "how to legally get a title in 5-7 weeks". If you've followed some of my posts you'll know that I've been having trouble getting a title for the RD350 I bought from Mark at last years Deals Gap meet. I sent in all of my money to ITS about 5 months ago and they just ripped me off. The only email they returned was the one where I told them I'd filed a Better Business Bureau complaint. After some research I found out via this post http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/22890-international-title-service-service-11.html that what they do is go through the VT DMV to get plates and registration. Turns out anyone can do the same thing. You DO NOT have to be a Vermont resident. Simply fill out VT DMV forms DMV-VD119 Registration App Instructions and DMV-VD119-Vehicle Reg Tax Title App and send them along with a bill of sale and a check to the VT DMV. Both forms can be found here http://dmv.vermont.gov/fees/tax_title You need to fill out the odometer disclosure form in the instruction book. In the Tax/Title Application form you need to fill out blocks 1A, 1B, 2, 3C, 4A, 5B, 6A, and 9. The bill of sale has to be notarized and contain enough info to identify the bike, like VIN, color, make, model, year etc. Fill out the paperwork and mail it all in to the VT DMV and 2 weeks later you should have permanent or temp registration (I'll explain in a minute) and VT plates valid for 1 year in your mailbox. That's step 1.

Step 2. Take the Vermont registration and the title/registration application form for your state down to your state DMV. When they ask why you don't have a title, and they asked me twice, just tell them that VT doesn't issue titles on vehicles older than 10 years. Let em look it up if they want, you'll be fine. After they admit you don't need a title they should process your forms and the VT registration and issue you a title in your state. That's step 2.

Step 3. Put your new title someplace safe, put your new plate on the bike, go riding. And don't forget to buy me a beer at the Gap :)

Backstory - I figured going through ITS would be easier than dealing with the MD MVA for not having a title. Plenty of people have used them in the past. Well they ripped me off and the internet is full of stories of them doing the same thing to other people. STAAB, the other good choice refuses to work on old vehicles anymore due to changes in Maine law. Broadway will still do it but only with totally stock motorcycles - no help to me, nothing I own is stock. I tracked down the VT process via some googling, ok a lot of googling, and decided to try it. I got the bills of sale notarized, filled out the forms with signatures in the appropriate boxes, and mailed the lot and a check off to VT. Exactly 13 days after I mailed them I got two plates in the mail (I registered two bikes). One had a copy of my form and one had a 60 day temp registration. The permanent registration for one showed up in the mail a few days later. I still don't know why the one had a temporary registration and the other had a permanent one. I was a little worried about that. I took the VT registrations and the correct MD forms down to the MVA. After they asked me a few times why I didn't have a title (explained above) and being a little confused they were already in my name they processed my paperwork through their computer system. I walked out with two sets of plates/registration/registration stickers. MD mails all titles from a central facility so I should see them in 3-4 weeks - but I'm already legal and in the systems so this is just a USPS delay. That's it. Lot's of paperwork but pretty simple once you know how to do it. Here's the kicker, it cost me less than ITS charged me for one bike to register two bikes through VT.

Good luck, YMMV.

[2strokesforever]

For anyone in Wisconsin I can confirm it 100% works.
You will need to coach the Dmv employee on the transfer to a WI title. They will need to get their big book out and learn that they can actually make you a title right there on the spot.

I've gotten 4 bikes title without issue this way.

[AAAltered]

Just got my plate and registration for a 75 RD350.  I haven't tried to convert to a NJ title yet, but that's fine with me.

[JB Weld]

I want to do this in the worst way just to do it. Might be a while because I just sold my last bike without a title.

[Foxrider64]

Any suggestions if you no longer have the bill of sale for the frame?  Long story short, I combined two dilapidated bikes in to one running one in 2011 and never titled/registered it.  9 Years later I get the bug to get the bike running again and actually put it on the road and the BOS I have is for the frame I did not use.

Has anyone had any luck completing an application for new title?  I am based in Maryland for context.

[AAAltered]

Just "create" one. 

[Djg8493]

Any suggestions if you no longer have the bill of sale for the frame?  Long story short, I combined two dilapidated bikes in to one running one in 2011 and never titled/registered it.  9 Years later I get the bug to get the bike running again and actually put it on the road and the BOS I have is for the frame I did not use.

Has anyone had any luck completing an application for new title?  I am based in Maryland for context.

You can just print out a generic BOS and fill it out or Vermont has a form on their website.  I have done this process 4 or 5 times and as long as you pay the proper fees and include an accurate value you will be ok.   


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[rdsarefun]

Just did this last month.  Took a little longer due to COVID but worked well.  Have a Registration and Plate from Vermont good until Oct 2021.  Took VT registration to local notary and my PA and Title paperwork is now in the mail.

[SoCal250]

Just curious. Would there be any reason you couldn't keep it under the VT registration if you wanted to? Just keep paying the annual fees and leave the VT plate on it? (Assuming they issue a perm plate and not a temp reg as described in Pete's post.)

[m in sc]

you can. ive seen people do it for years.

[Djg8493]

There is not, I have done it for a few years and Vermont will continue to allow you to re-register.  The only downside is most states have some form of a clause that you are supposed to register in the state you live in in 30-90 days.  They could also bring up state inspection rules but I have not confirmed jurisdiction on implementing out of state inspection rules.  (I have asked friends that are cops but they don't even really know)   Vermont does require annual inspection.

Short story you can get a way with it for a period of time but I wouldn't push your luck.  I typically will wait the first year as I paid that registration then convert it to my state when it is time to reregister. 

Also FYI I spoke to the Vermont DMV and they are currently running almost 2 months behind.

[1976RD400C]

Do you have to send proof of insurance too when you mail the paperwork to Vermont DMV?

[Djg8493]

No it is not needed for the paperwork.  I just make sure I have it insured by the time they get it.

[RDFL]

Another down side keeping it VT registered is it is very expensive to renew, unless it's changed.

[SoCal250]

Another down side keeping it VT registered is it is very expensive to renew, unless it's changed.

Very expensive?   Looks like it's pretty reasonable. Motorcycle reg renewal in VT is only $48/1yr or $96/2yr