Motorcycle/scooter without title

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

A spin on the car without title thread. I checked out a scooter that needs to be registered as a motorcycle because it's over 50cc. The current owner never registered it and bought it from NJ from an estate auction 4-5 years ago and doesn't have the title. How screwed am I and how much of a headache am I going to have to endure if I pick up this bike?

RichardNuss · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 6:32 am

If you don't get answers here, contact the main DMV office in Raleigh and ask them how you can handle it. I have talked to them for questions in the past.

On the contact page (http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/contact/), the closest thing I could find is "For DMV related questions, you may call 919-715-7000 during normal business hours for an immediate response.". Even if that's not exactly the right department, I bet they can transfer you to the right place.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

I did this with a 1978 Honda CT90. I don't have specifics but this should get you started. You'll want to call the DMV for the forms.

1. Get the form to retitle a vehicle
2. You'll need to fill out the explanation of why you don't have a title and what you have done to find it. They want details, backstory.
3. Get the value of the vehicle from the DMV
4. Get an indemnity bond for the vehicle value (mine cost $75 and I got it from Cline Hall Insurance)
5. Once you have your paperwork in order, schedule a meeting with one of the deputized inspectors. The guy I met came to my house to inspect the motorcycle. He carries a gun.
6. After he signs off on your story and paperwork, go to the DMV and get a plate. Title is reissued and comes in the mail.

Essentially the indemnity bond is insurance for the DMV if the "rightful owner" shows up within a 2 year period of you getting the title. If someone comes to claim the bike in 2 years, they get the face value of the bond, not your bike. For my 78 CT90 I think the face (vehicle) value was $250. No one showed.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Thanks Mike, that's exactly what I was looking to hear.

Also, the CT90 is nice, but I'm going to be picking up a Honda C70.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 12:42 pm

Along the "he carries a gun" line, he carries one because he's a sworn officer of the state. He's the guy that puts car dealers in jail when they are found to be rolling back odometers or washing salvage titles or whatever. He will have his eyes open for ANY violations that he might notice while at your place. Not because he's mean, just because that's his job and it's second nature to him. So make sure you don't have any trailers sitting around with no tag hooked up to a road going vehicle and such. You've been warned.

But if he's chatty, enjoy some time asking about any recent crazy stories he's got. They usually have more than a few. The guy I've dealt with from time to time has usually just had to cuff-and-stuff someone and had some fun doing it.

--Donnie

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Called up the DMV and they basically parroted what Mike said.

I'm just curious, how long did it take to get it properly titled and registered?

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Andrew Jonell wrote:

Called up the DMV and they basically parroted what Mike said.

I'm just curious, how long did it take to get it properly titled and registered?

Once I started in earnest, I dunno, maybe two weeks. Getting on the limited schedule of the inspector was the hardest part IIRC. Oh and Cline's people took a few days to get the bond, apparently they don't do many of those

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

That's good information to know. I offered the guy a decent amount of what he's asking, but thinking he's going to get 1500 for an untitled scooter is insane.

BretLuter · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:13 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Along the "he carries a gun" line, he carries one because he's a sworn officer of the state. He's the guy that puts car dealers in jail when they are found to be rolling back odometers or washing salvage titles or whatever. He will have his eyes open for ANY violations that he might notice while at your place. Not because he's mean, just because that's his job and it's second nature to him. So make sure you don't have any trailers sitting around with no tag hooked up to a road going vehicle and such. You've been warned.

But if he's chatty, enjoy some time asking about any recent crazy stories he's got. They usually have more than a few. The guy I've dealt with from time to time has usually just had to cuff-and-stuff someone and had some fun doing it.

--Donnie

This is the truth.

But, you don't have to meet them at your house, you can take the scooter/bike to the DMV office during their scheduled times and they will check it out in the parking lot- (in the back of your truck or in your trailer, because you obviously would not ride it there).

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

BretLuter wrote:

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Along the "he carries a gun" line, he carries one because he's a sworn officer of the state. He's the guy that puts car dealers in jail when they are found to be rolling back odometers or washing salvage titles or whatever. He will have his eyes open for ANY violations that he might notice while at your place. Not because he's mean, just because that's his job and it's second nature to him. So make sure you don't have any trailers sitting around with no tag hooked up to a road going vehicle and such. You've been warned.

But if he's chatty, enjoy some time asking about any recent crazy stories he's got. They usually have more than a few. The guy I've dealt with from time to time has usually just had to cuff-and-stuff someone and had some fun doing it.

--Donnie

This is the truth.

But, you don't have to meet them at your house, you can take the scooter/bike to the DMV office during their scheduled times and they will check it out in the parking lot- (in the back of your truck or in your trailer, because you obviously would not ride it there).

So this begs the question ... is it legal to have a vehicle parked on your private property without some kind of proof of ownership? If so, I should probably be careful having those guys out again ...

Mike <-- 4 integras and 1 honda motorcycle at home with possibly "questionable" ownership documentation

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:13 am

I'm guessing they'd need probable cause to ask you for your paperwork on something. I'm not sure having no tag is probable cause, and otherwise I can't imagine you'd have anything visible that *would* be. Well, I take that back. A backyard full of Integras might be considered probable cause in and of itself. Now if it were just about ANYTHING else...

--Donnie

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