Selling a motorcycle to Pennsylvania from another state?

[kshansen]

Apologize that this is about a Sportster not an XS650 but think someone here has done it at least once.

Wife has been checking online and it seems that to transfer title from our state to someone in Penn. that both buyer and seller have to be present together in Penn! This sounds crazy as how would say someone in Nevada ever be able to sell a bike to someone in Penn and have the buyer transfer the title? Sure if the bike is worth several thousands it might be worth the travel, but I'm only talking about a 30+ year old Sportster!

If anyone has done something like that in the case of a motorcycle being transferred to a person in Penn that is titled outside of Penn let me know.

 

[Kevin Werner]

I would think a notarized document would be acceptable. My dad was a Lawyer, two of my 4 brothers are lawyers and I acheived 6th degree Slacker, currently 6th Slacker emeritus.

 

[Lou_TX]

While I don't live in PA and cannot claim to know PA regulations, I have acquired vehicles from out of state and actually from different states with just the seller's signature on the title.
May I suggest to contact the PA DMV to find out what specifically needs to be done for an out-of-state transfer?

I bet we have some PA members here and I hope they will have an answer for you shortly. GL!

 

[JOHNDADDY]

You may even get some answers from your local DMV, they may be up on it.
Recently I've had good luck with DMV, they seem to have made a change for the better.

 

[nj1639]

You may even get some answers from your local DMV, they may be up on it.
Recently I've had good luck with DMV, they seem to have made a change for the better.

Yep, best bet there.
An example of what you may be dealing with from my experience......
Hoosierland is a reciprocal state i.e.: whatever the other state requires on a title transfer is what rules.
E.g.: Kentucky requires both parties to sign in the presence of a notary. A bike coming in from Kentucky to Indiana better have both signatures and the notary stamp or it's a no go.
Illinois requires just the signatures of both parties. New Jersey too, so that's all that's needed to import from those states to Indiana. I will add here that the county sheriff does have to confirm the numbers match the title before the transfer can occur, small fee involved to roll a deputy out.
Reciprocity exists in out of state hunting and fishing licenses too here in Hoosierland. If the other state charges exorbitant fees for Hoosier hunters then Indiana charges them back.
I've no idea how New York and Pa represent their citizens in these matters but it would be interesting to know.

 

[Melnic]

Buyer should take the burden of what is needed but if you want to do it, I'd email or call PA DMV.
I purchased a bike from a seller in NJ and had to get a notarized bill of sale to bring back to MD cause it was < 7 years old.
Notarized bill of sale was done in NJ.

Sometimes if the local DMV won't take a call, call a PA title service, they often can do the notarization and tags all in one place.
When I did my out of state purchase above, I used a local Bike shop that is also a title service. I had to have the MD state inspection done on it cause it was just 2 years old so it was one stop shopping and maybe $100 more in fees for what was a $12K bike.

 

[JOHNDADDY]

NY to NY is just signed paper work no fuss no muss.

 

[RC4MAN]

I would think a notarized document would be acceptable. My dad was a Lawyer, two of my 4 brothers are lawyers and I acheived 6th degree Slacker, currently 6th Slacker emeritus.

But do you play a lawyer on TV

 

[kshansen]

NY to NY is just signed paper work no fuss no muss.

Yea know that, sold a couple XS650's a short time ago. Thought I might have a problem with one as the guy I got it from something like ten years ago had died a few year back, I never got the titled changed to my name. But when I dug out the title he gave me he had printed and signed his title. Guy, a private shop near me, did not seem to mind. As much as some people complain about NY this is one thing that seems pretty easy!

 

[ckahleer]

I live in VA and bought a DR650 in PA a few years back. As I would be driving through the sellers town on a Sunday, he was able to get the title notorized by filling out my info in the buyers section of the title and only him signing it in front of the notary. I'm sure this is not proper, but it worked for me.
If there is not a work around for this, it would be almost impossible for an out of area buyer to buy a PA vehicle on Sunday.

 

[Lou_TX]

Have you had a chance to call and find out yet? Inquiring minds want to know. (fancy words for "I'm nosy" LOL)

 

[kshansen]

Have you had a chance to call and find out yet? Inquiring minds want to know. (fancy words for "I'm nosy" LOL)

No news yet. I'm kind of hopeing the the prospective buyer is checking the options as he is in Pa. and runs a sidecar shop so he may have connections to handle this.