17 replies to this topic

[GeddesJim TT Newbie]

I'm sure this has been brought up a few times but I need to ask..   I live in NY and I can't just plate a dirt bike that has an off-road registration, what states will plate them?  I know Vermont would do it,  I had found a post on a forum explaining the procedure,  but that was a bit old and I heard they got in trouble for doing it. Do they still plate out of state people's dirt bikes?  Any advice would help me a bunch, thanks.. jim

[trailmeisterjoe TT Addict]

If you ask the guys over in the east coast regional forum, you will get real world answers instead of guesses from guys like me who are 3000 miles away.


Joe

[YZEtc TT Titanium Member]

I live in Connecticut and Connecticut registered (for the street) my 2009 Yamaha WR-250F in November of 2009, and recently did the same to my 2009 Honda CRF-450X this past December.
Both bikes came with Certificates of Origin that had the words stating NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE, or words to that effect.

Here in CT., if the bike has a Certificate of Origin that say it's not for the street, you have to modify the bike with the necessary parts to make it street worthy, take it to the Wethersfield, CT. DMV office for an inspection, and once it passes the inspection, then you can register it like any other street bike.
That requires the same ol' stuff as any other bike (taxes paid, insurance, proof of ownership like a Bill of Sale).

If you're looking for a state that (may) still do this for out-of-state people through the mail, Vermont was, last I knew, the state of choice because, according to guys that have done it, "...they just want your money and don't care..."

Edited by YZEtc, 07 May 2012 - 04:14 PM.

[soccermania688 TT Bronze Member]

Its a lot of work honestly. Costs a lot so if your starting from scratch pick the right bike for you. I decided to just wait for a good deal on clist. Im on long island and im looking to sell one of my street legal dirt bikes. Mint 1999 yamaha yz400f. Setup for woods racing with all necessary street equipment. Pm me if interested.

[GeddesJim TT Newbie]

Well CT is closer than Vermont if I have to take a bike for an inspection. Thanks for the info. I don't understand how Vermont can do it without a visual inspection, I will just call them and see what's up.

I'm not interested in buying another bike, I just want to add value to a dirt bike.. Unless it's "dirt" cheap, thanks tho.

[allterra TT Bronze Member]

I just plated my wr here and now you need to show a vin verification by a law enforcement officer and get it inspected. Vermont has cracked down on the off road registerations..

[Rapper1 TT Newbie]

allterra, on 21 June 2012 - 04:43 AM, said:

I just plated my wr here and now you need to show a vin verification by a law enforcement officer and get it inspected. Vermont has cracked down on the off road registerations..

Allterra, I also live in Vermont. I have a title for my WR that says motorcycle. But because I bought the bike from out of state, I need to do a VIN verification...so, how do I do that? Have the local cops stop by my house and do this? Then go get it registered, then get it inspected? I think this is the procedure, can you confirm?

Also, when the cop does a VIN verification, is he at all concerned about the fact that you are trying to register a dirt bike?
-Rap

[allterra TT Bronze Member]

Rapper1, on 28 June 2012 - 05:51 PM, said:

Allterra, I also live in Vermont. I have a title for my WR that says motorcycle. But because I bought the bike from out of state, I need to do a VIN verification...so, how do I do that? Have the local cops stop by my house and do this? Then go get it registered, then get it inspected? I think this is the procedure, can you confirm?

Also, when the cop does a VIN verification, is he at all concerned about the fact that you are trying to register a dirt bike?
-Rap

No prob. My bike came from TX the title said off road only. You need to go to a state inspt location. They will provide you w/an affidavid stating the bike has been converted to be legal for VT roads. take that and your title to DMV and get your temp reg. (I already had insurance and rode mine) then bring the bike to the police or DMV to get the vin verified. once that is done then you can get it inspected. Now you are on the road. come see me and we can hit the trails.

[Trixter1 TT Newbie]

You can plate a dirt bike in NY, I did it with my 1998 YZ 125 that I purchased used without any paperwork. You have to register it as a ATV with a trace of the VIN number and bill of sale and the forms from the DMV.

[YZEtc TT Titanium Member]

What does a New York ATV plate allow you to do?

[Trixter1 TT Newbie]

Not much unless you need to plate it for a track or trail in some places plus it gives you a transferable registration, Since I had no paper work at all when I purchased the bike to show  some kind of ownership.

[GeddesJim TT Newbie]

I guess, I should have mentioned that I want to make a dirt bike street legal and not just plate it..   So it looks like I would need to know someone in Vermont to do this and drive the bike up there.. I would be cool with that if I find the right bike, I just thought it might still be able to be done via mail..

[Rapper1 TT Newbie]

In order to register a vehicle in Vermont, you will need a title and bill of sale. If you do not have a title, you will first need to bring it to a dealer to write a letter saying that your bike is road "worthy". Then you will need a police officer to do a VIN verification since the bike is from out of state, no big deal, probably just bring it to a local police station. Then you can register is and they will issue you a new title saying it is a "Motorcycle". Then back to the dealer or someone, to inspect.

Can anyone comment on whether you need to be a Vermont resident in order to register here?

[wallan482 TT Newbie]

You DO NOT have to be a resident in vermont to title a bike there. Ive been very curious about this as well, I registered with this site just so I could show you guys this, Ive posted this on SMJ already. I live in upstate New York. I spoke with a woman from Vermont DMV via email last week and she gave me this info....



10:02AM Me
I am going to be staying in vermont for a while with some relatives. I am unsure of the exact amount of time. I was wondering if I can register my motorcycle in vermont without being a resident or having a mailing address in vermont? My current mailing address is in Upstate New York and will most likely remain there for the time being.
Thank you,
Wayne Allan

10:11AM DMV Commissioners Office
Vermont permits the registration of vehicles by non residents.  If the motorcycle is an off road bike it cannot be registered unless it passes a vehicle inspection which certifies that it has been properly modified for street use.

10:24AM Me
Does it need to pass inspection at a Vermont DMV Inspection station before I bring it to the DMV, and is there a special form I need for proof of inspection? Also what will I need to bring with me to the DMV to have it registered? As stated a valid inspection. Is a MSO/MCO from New York state efficient (as it was an offroad/onroad bike, which now has been fully changed to just a road bike with all DOT approved parts)? Would the MSO/MCO having a lien on it cause any problems? The lien is in my name from buying the motorcycle. Any special forms since I wouldnt be a resident or have a mailing address in Vermont? I really appreciate the help!!

Thanks again,
Wayne Allan

10:44AM DMV Commissioners Office
I have forwarded your email to our information unit for response.

Decoteau, Diane. Vermont DMV 11:06AM
Wayne,

If you are an NY resident you should register it in NY.  If you register it in VT we will notify NY that we’ve processed a motorcycle registration for VT in your name.  But if you still want to I’m attaching links to the forms you will need.  It must be inspected by a VT Inspection station prior to registering it and we also now require a work order from the station stating that it is road worthy and would pass a VT safety inspection in addition to the Branded Title form being completed.

http://dmv.vermont.g...x_Title_App.pdf
http://dmv.vermont.g...nstructions.pdf
http://dmv.vermont.g...erification.pdf
http://dmv.vermont.g...ection_Form.pdf


Me 12:39
Thank you so much for all of the information. I am a new york state resident but if I plan on staying at a family members residence for a couple months during the summer and plan on visiting a few times a year, and possibly leave the bike there, I plan on just registering it in vermont if I can because it'll likely be the only place that it'll be ridden. So just to confirm one last time. This bike that I bought is basically a 450cc dirtbike. It has all the necessary lights, road tires, and equiptment to pass inspection. Although it has a Manufacturers Certificate of Origin that states "offroad use only" and has not been titled or registered before, if I complete the inspection and all of these necessary forms it should be no problem getting registered? Again thanks so much for the help

Decoteau, Diane. Vermont DMV
Yes, if you have all the forms completed (with the VT Inspection station stating it’s now inspect able) and pay the fees we will be able to register and title the bike.

[Rapper1 TT Newbie]

Okay, so here is your process for registering in VERMONT, and they left out a little detail (VIN Verification) that you will need to do as well.

1) First you need to bring it to a Vermont inspection station or motorcycle dealer and have them give you a letter stating that the bike meets the on-road requirements.

2) Since it was bought out of state, you will need to have a police officer verify the VIN number and fill out the bottom portion of your registration. You can also have a DMV employee do this too.

3) Bring the bike to the DMV to get it registered and pick up your plate. They will send you a title in the mail.

4) Bring your bike, plated, with registration and insurance in hand back to the inspection station to get it inspected and get your sticker. You have 15 days to do this from the day of registration.

Good Luck!

Edited by Rapper1, 14 July 2012 - 04:35 AM.

[Rapper1 TT Newbie]

Oh, by the way, the on-road requirement for dirt bike conversion in VERMONT is still a very gray area...

You need a headlight, but you do not need a hi/lo beam.

You do not need blinkers, but if they are on your bike, they need to work.

One left hand mirror.

Horn that can be actuated while driving (no a bike squeeze horn is not legal).

Now are are the gray areas:

Obviously you need a license plate mount, with a running light and brake light, as well as a license plate illumination light. Some say that the running light and the license plate illumination light can be the same light (clear strip of plastic, etc...) I've known people to be pulled over because it was not "separate".

Tires: Some say DOT only, some say as long as the tire does not say "Not for highway use" and some say they don't care.

Brake actuation: Some say pressure switch on the rear brake only, some say both front and rear should be activated when the brake is applied.

Odometer: Again, some inspection people will tell you yes, you need an odometer and others will say no you don't.

The reasons for the gray area are so numerous, many simply do not know the laws, at other times, the laws are extremely vague.

I have just plated my WR450F. Went with the horn, mirror, one unit for tailight, front and rear brake light pressure switches, odometer, no blinkers and no DOT tires...

Edited by Rapper1, 14 July 2012 - 04:34 AM.

[unplayable TT Newbie]

Here is my 2 cents on the Vermont route.  I live in the midwest, in a state notorious for restrictions on off road bikes being plated.  I had a late 1990s XR250R with bill of sale only.  If you download the Vermont appication, it states all the requirements/restrictions, for size, inspection, etc.

Mine did not require and inspection, and bikes under 300cc do not get titled, only registration.  Fill out the application, attach a copy of bill of sale, send in your $74, and in about 10 days you get your plate and temp registration.  Another 10 days or so you get your final registration, which is transferrable.

You take this paperwork to your own states DMV.  I didn't make up a phony story about being in the service or staying with relatives.  I was honest, explaining the process and steps I took.  They will question it, look into thier book and see that bikes under 300cc do not get titled in Vermont, registration only.  5min later, they are issuing you your home state plate and clean title.

This was done within the past 2 months, so the process is still in place.

[Corwine1234 TT Newbie]

what if the bike is over 300cc but older than fifteen years. Then a title is not required either so could i get a place without an inspection? hopefully