So I know that when one buys a new red sticker bike from a dealer, they handle the DMV paper work and you just wait for it in the mail. My question is, if I buy a new bike and have it shipped to me, do I have to take it to a DMV office to get the red sticker, or can I do it by mail? I looked at the DMV site, and couldn't sort it out.
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Red Sticker on New Bike
- Thread starter novaks47
- Start date
Did some more digging, and the answer is, yes, you have to get the VIN verification done. I wonder why dealers don't have to? I guess they're considered vin verifiers, or there's some sort of dealer exception, or some other form of paperwork I'm not familiar with. Now I just need to decide if risking the DMV dummies not understanding how to process a red sticker bike with a MSO and ending up with a bike I can't ride anywhere is worth it or not, lmao!
You are correct on the above assumptions for VIN verify and dealers; they have a license and are required to log what VIN has sold and reg it before it leaves the store.
If the bike doesn't have a reg sticker it means no CA title which you need to get it. To get the title it has to be entered into the sytem (VIN check).
The DMV will get it right assuming you show them where the Fed emissions sticker is and they can read the engine stamp number. Make sure those are easy to see, all the DMV person has to do is check the "send to CHP" box on the form and you will then have another month or two wait and a CHP inspection to VIN verify.
Best part about all of this is if you ordered out of state you will have to pay tax on the purchase at the time of title application (assume about 10%) which would've been charged by the dealer if bought locally.
As of current law you will not be able to title a competition bike in CA after 2025; as of MY 2022 you will only be able to reg it as a competition only bike that can only be operated on private or closed course; no riding on BLM or OHV land at all.....you're basically getting the last MY red sticker you can buy that will grandfather to a green sticker in 2022.
If the bike doesn't have a reg sticker it means no CA title which you need to get it. To get the title it has to be entered into the sytem (VIN check).
The DMV will get it right assuming you show them where the Fed emissions sticker is and they can read the engine stamp number. Make sure those are easy to see, all the DMV person has to do is check the "send to CHP" box on the form and you will then have another month or two wait and a CHP inspection to VIN verify.
Best part about all of this is if you ordered out of state you will have to pay tax on the purchase at the time of title application (assume about 10%) which would've been charged by the dealer if bought locally.
As of current law you will not be able to title a competition bike in CA after 2025; as of MY 2022 you will only be able to reg it as a competition only bike that can only be operated on private or closed course; no riding on BLM or OHV land at all.....you're basically getting the last MY red sticker you can buy that will grandfather to a green sticker in 2022.
usedtobefast
Well-known member
Make sure those are easy to see, all the DMV person has to do is check the "send to CHP" box on the form and you will then have another month or two wait and a CHP inspection to VIN verify.
What's this? Several years back I bought a KX-250 shipped to my house in a crate. Once together, I took it and the "Certificate of Origin" from Kawasaki to DMV and they did the verification at the DMV ... no CHP needed. Then walked inside and paid money and got my offroad sticker.
Also have a bought some street motos out of state, again took to DMV for verification, no CHP needed. (Latest one in 2019)
Is the CHP visit a COVID19 thing that is needed now?
I know in the past some guys have gotten verifications done by CHP vs. DMV ... I never understood that, I've always had easy & good luck with the DMV ones ... have used Redwood City, Santa Clara, and Los Gatos all with good results.
I don't trust the DMV fools enough to risk it. They almost denied registration for my Ninja 1000, because it came from out of state, and the lady missed the CARB sticker on it. If I hadn't pointed it out to her, that bike would've been black listed, lol. So, I'll just go with a Husqvarna 2-stroke that I've been eyeballing. Time to call up the dealer and put some cash down on it so it doesn't get away from me.
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What's this?
The DMV has a regulation set that allows them to certify the vehicle VIN, if for any reason the DMV inspector feels they can't do the inspection they refer it to CHP. Reasons can be "no sticker"; "can't read the sticker"; "can't read the VIN stamp" etc. If you know where and what these stickers say and can hold their hand to see them you can get it dealt with on the spot.
Had to reg a 950 SE from out of state and the guy misread one of the VIN numbers....I didn't catch it but when sent to state it came back as "not a matching VIN, go to CHP to verify". Took another 3 months as CHP Oakland was backed up for appointments; if I had gone over it with the DMV person I could have avoided that.
DMV is the first and easy verification (maybe AAA can do it too?); CHP is better at it and can search more manufacture info for VIN location etc but the appointment takes a while to get.
AAA doesn't do VIN inspections(first thing I checked, haha!). The options are : DMV, CHP, and if you're willing to pay, there are companies that are certified with the state to verify VINs.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Thanks elemental for your initial response, that's a good breakdown of it all.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Thanks elemental for your initial response, that's a good breakdown of it all.