How To Register A Dirtbike In Arizona

How to Register a Custom-Built Motorcycle

September seven, 2018

You lot watched those Tv shows nearly building a custom motorbike, and you've spent the last few years in your garage piecing together your dream motorbike. Once yous've completed the build, the only step left is to officially annals your motorcycle so your masterpiece is road-ready. This procedure can exist a bit tricky for anyone who chooses to build their own motorbike merely doesn't worry, we've got yous covered.

Registering Your Motorbike

Each country in the U.South. varies on what y'all need to provide to the registration part at the time of registration. According to the California DMV, a custom motorbike is "built for individual use, not for resale, and is not constructed past a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer." There are small details that tin concur up the process of registering a motorcycle and arrive hard to complete. Here are things you'll demand to brand the registration procedure run smoothly:

Title of Ownership

If you purchase the frame and/or whatever engine parts, brand sure the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the frame or engine cake matches the VIN listed on the Title of Ownership. This will allow you lot to easily transfer the title into your proper name during registration time.
- If y'all purchased a frame without a VIN:
  If y'all are buying a frame or engine that has no associated VIN, you lot may go a Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO) from the seller instead. This shows that they purchased the component legally but never went to get an official VIN number. You lot tin utilize that in place of the VIN initially, simply you will want to hash out how (and if yous need) to become a proper VIN with your local registration office earlier the time of attempting to register the motorcycle.
- If yous congenital your own frame:
  If you built your own frame instead of ownership one, yous won't have a VIN number or MSO to use as documentation of the origin of the frame. In this case, the registration role can issue you a home built VIN number that will need to be permanently affixed to the frame of the motorcycle. Be sure to hash out the proper location to identify the VIN and how it should be affixed to exist legal with the registration office. Do this as early in the process as possible, possibly before you start the building procedure.
  There are cases where you may be buying a (or multiple) save motorcycles for parts. They may have been in an blow and totaled past insurance, but have usable parts that tin create a new motorcycle. The central detail with this is to have documentation of where every component comes from. Having multiple parts with unlike titles doesn't mean you lot won't be able to register the new structure. Be sure to check with your local or land registration role on the guidelines required in this case as soon as possible (preferably before you kickoff ownership salvaged parts) to ensure you know what the requirements are.
  
  A "home-made, specially synthetic, or kit vehicle" is a vehicle that is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. These vehicles may exist built from a kit, new or used parts, a combination of new and used parts, or a vehicle reported for dismantling (junked) that, when reconstructed, does not resemble the original make of the vehicle that was dismantled.
  – California Department of Motor Vehicles
Safety Inspection

Prophylactic is a priority in motorcycling, and having an inspection of your motorcycle'south readiness is going to be worth the actress money spent. When it comes time to go your custom-congenital motorcycle inspected by a local law enforcement bureau to ensure it is road-fix, they will await to make sure that the VIN numbers on your parts match those listed on the Manufacturer's Certificates of Origin.

In order to save yourself a headache, brand certain you save as much paperwork equally possible from the building process. Whether you are constructing a Frankenstein bike out of salvaged parts or edifice from a kit, brand a file and keep all documentation that proves you're the owner. This includes invoices and bills of sale for all the major components like the engine, frame, body, and manual.

You may also want to take a local motorcycle shop expect over the motorcycle prior to the law enforcement agency doing it. A professional person shop may charge a simple inspection fee for the service, and they may have the knowledge of the whole registration procedure to assistance you lot complete your procedure with ease. Retrieve of information technology equally a mock registration, and they can offer advice of your readiness to complete the process chop-chop.
Emissions Certification

Your state may or may not require emissions validation on your custom built motorcycle. If there are no emissions validation, there are however nearly likely sure standards required by constabulary. Be sure to bank check with your local or land DMV registration part what they guidelines are for emissions and what is required before the registration process. This may include tailpipe exhaust emission and sound level limitations. Inquire where you lot tin have the tests completed on your completed motorbike build in order to obtain the approved emissions certificate.
Builder Title Limitations

Some states limit the number of builder's titles yous can receive per year. If you ofttimes build custom motorcycles, your state may limit the number of titles that can be applied for in a year'southward fourth dimension. Some have a maximum of six, while others limit it to 10. Information technology varies country to state, so exist sure to check how many yous are going to be limited to if you program to build multiple custom motorcycles without registering yourself as a dealership or business.

Completing the Registration Process

If you've washed all your homework and feel you lot're ready to start the registration procedure, make an appointment at your local DMV office. Whether information technology'southward your get-go time trying to register the motorcycle, or a second endeavour, you'll be required to pay the registration fee. Some DMV offices may have offers granting leniency on the fees if you don't pass the first fourth dimension. Be sure to check the exact policies for your local registration office. Across all mentioned documents required to endeavour to annals the motorcycle, you should also have insurance on the motorcycle and be prepared to show that data to the registrar at the DMV office.

All DMV forms you will need are bachelor hither. These are specific to California, but are a good representation of what to expect from your local DMV office. You can also search for the website of your state DMV part if yous don't reside in California.

What to Bring to Your Motorcycle Registration Appointment

Be certain to bring the following items to your registration appointment:
- A completed Application for Title or Registration.
- A filled-out Statement of Construction.
- Proof-of-buying documents, like receipts and bills of sale. Your state may require a notary to review and verify the documents and may also inquire for pictures of the motorbike and components. A motor vehicle bail will be required if proof of ownership cannot be obtained for parts valued at $v,000 or more than.
- A vehicle verification washed by the California Highway Patrol. Make your DMV registration appointment earlier scheduling the CHP vehicle verification.
- A smog check certificate completed by a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee Station. Since custom-built motorcycles practise not have a twelvemonth-of-origin designated by a manufacturer, they must be inspected past a BAR.
- Referee Station instead of a regular smog check facility (call (800) 622-7733 for an appointment).
- Official restriction and light aligning certificates. If an official brake and light station that inspects motorcycles is not located within a reasonable altitude, the DMV volition accept a completed Statement of Facts (REG 256) certificate from a repair shop attesting that the brakes and lights are in proper working order. (Brake and low-cal certificates are not required for off-highway vehicles.
- Whatever and all titling, sales tax, and registration fees due.
  Building your own custom motorcycle is a thrilling experience that you'll definitely enjoy. The last big hurdle is the registration process, every bit it involves a lot documentation of your custom build and buying of each piece on the motorcycle. With a piffling organization during the build, you can have every piece of documentation needed ahead of fourth dimension, and be ready to sail right through the registration awarding and be on the road. Good luck!

Michael Padway

Michael Padway uses his expertise in personal injury and motorcycle accidents to correspond a broad spectrum of clients dealing with life-changing and permanent injuries for the kickoff time. His offices are located at 235 Montgomery St., Ste 668, San Francisco, CA 94104 and at 3140 Chapman St. Oakland, CA 94601. For more information, please call (800) 928-1511.

Whether you're a seasoned motorcyclist or a beginner looking for tips to start out, you'll find everything you need to know in our Beginner Motorcycle Guide.

Make full out the course beneath to download your copy and learn about everything from purchasing and insuring your new motorcycle to maintenance and riding tips!

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter!

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The Motorcycle Legal Foundation Web log is owned by Michael Padway as an educational resource only.
None of the material on this site is expressly or impliedly meant to provide legal advice to yous in any way shape or course.

Since the material on this site is provided for educational use only, and laws continuously change from time to time, the contributors of this website neither expressly nor impliedly warrants that whatsoever of the fabric provided on this website is accurate.

No attorney/customer relationship shall be expressly or impliedly created betwixt The Motorcycle Legal Foundation, and you, by the publishing of manufactures on this site, or by comments by any party including contributors of the Motorbike Legal Foundation, nor should y'all translate that whatsoever such relationship has been created by the publishing of any content on this site.

All articles related to Constabulary, Safety, or information are provided for educational use just, and constitute expressions of opinions and advice of the writer only.
The Motorcycle Legal Foundation shall presume no liability whatever for your reliance on any of the articles contained herein, nor should y'all rely on said articles as statements of fact.