Registering a bike without a pink slip
- Thread starter Leo_jb
- Start date
GPzPop
Ask me about my B-1-D
use this form, state your facts about purchase, lost title, etc. bring to dmv along with bill of sale
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/5a40cbcc-a9a9-4a42-ac43-a8564fa552c0/reg256.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
likely will need a chp vin inspection
it can be a real chore, totally dependent on the competency of the DMV rep helping you at the counter
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/5a40cbcc-a9a9-4a42-ac43-a8564fa552c0/reg256.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
likely will need a chp vin inspection
it can be a real chore, totally dependent on the competency of the DMV rep helping you at the counter
motomania2007
TC/MSF/CMSP/ Instructor
This can turn into an ugly and very expensive can of worms.
The best advice is to go to the DMV with the Vin number and see if it's in the DMV computer.
If the Vin number is completely absent from the DMV computer then you can probably be successful in getting it registered.
You'll have to go through the VIN verification and turn signal, brake light, horn inspection processes but it's doable.
If it is in the DMV computer, and the registration is past due. You are screwed. Your only option at that point is to pay the past to registration and all the penalties.
That can be many hundreds of dollars.
This is actually pretty funny as I went through this with an old XT several years ago.
Turned out the one I bought was five years late in registration fees.
My solution to it was to register it in Ohio in my dad's name and at my dad's address.
My dad had recently moved to Ohio so it worked.
Then about six months later registered it back in California.
Ohio didn't care about the past due registration fees in California.
And once the Ohio registration was complete, California no longer cared about any past-due registration in California.
The best advice is to go to the DMV with the Vin number and see if it's in the DMV computer.
If the Vin number is completely absent from the DMV computer then you can probably be successful in getting it registered.
You'll have to go through the VIN verification and turn signal, brake light, horn inspection processes but it's doable.
If it is in the DMV computer, and the registration is past due. You are screwed. Your only option at that point is to pay the past to registration and all the penalties.
That can be many hundreds of dollars.
This is actually pretty funny as I went through this with an old XT several years ago.
Turned out the one I bought was five years late in registration fees.
My solution to it was to register it in Ohio in my dad's name and at my dad's address.
My dad had recently moved to Ohio so it worked.
Then about six months later registered it back in California.
Ohio didn't care about the past due registration fees in California.
And once the Ohio registration was complete, California no longer cared about any past-due registration in California.
Last edited:
thedub
Octane Socks
Can't you just use this form to get a duplicate title, and transfer ownership in one fell swoop? https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/c...4fc0-b100-3ef8fe562bd7/reg227.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
motomania2007
TC/MSF/CMSP/ Instructor
Only if it is in the DMV computer and only if the seller is the name on the title to the bike in the DMV computer.
BTW, to the OP, get a power of attorney from the seller, in addition to the bill of sale. Use the DMV's forms Reg 260 and REG 135
If you're worried the bike wont pass VIN verification (like my custom 350), you can hire a private VIN verification party to come and validate the VIN numbers at your residence.
I paid this guy $60 to show up, he didn't look at a single thing on the bike other than to make sure the VIN numbers matched up, did the paperwork, bid me a good day and left.
Bike and new title was successfully registered at DMV a few days later.
I paid this guy $60 to show up, he didn't look at a single thing on the bike other than to make sure the VIN numbers matched up, did the paperwork, bid me a good day and left.
Bike and new title was successfully registered at DMV a few days later.
rwcfrank
Curmudgeon
Byke has the answer, if there truly is no DMV record (and be advised, DMV records have been automated for years and are getting better everyday on pulling up data that was transferred from the old system) Just go into the office and say YOU have had the bike for X number of years and need a new title. Otherwise in can be impossible in some cases.
augustiron
2fast 2live 2young 2die
I just did this on 2 bikes that were out of the system. I filled out the title replacement form and a statement of fact. Local dmv did a vin verification, then also told me I needed a chp one. They also called sacramento hq to check for past records while I stood at the counter, none found.
But they also said they are sending it all to sacramento for a double check to finalize the paperwork because there was no record.
I was told sacramento will check the microfiche records on the vin to see if I was indeed the last registered owner as I said I was.
Way way way more of a headache than I was led to believe and it all could still fail.
But they also said they are sending it all to sacramento for a double check to finalize the paperwork because there was no record.
I was told sacramento will check the microfiche records on the vin to see if I was indeed the last registered owner as I said I was.
Way way way more of a headache than I was led to believe and it all could still fail.
augustiron
2fast 2live 2young 2die
All paper work is done, now I was told to wait 4-6 weeks to see what sacramento says. Hopefully I get plates and titles in the mail. But I am really doubting it happens that way. Ugh.