Identifying the motorcycle is most simple and straightforward with the frame number. But sometimes the manufacturers don’t label the frame numbers by their own mistake or the owner builds the frame on his own and the frame number is missing there. It decreases the chance of recovering your motorcycle when it is lost or stolen.
Registering a motorcycle with no frame number is simply possible and hassle-free. Complete all the paperwork and reestablish a new frame number on the frame of your motorcycle and the rest of the registration will be done in a regular process and within a limited time.
However, in this article, I have shared my own experience on how you can register your motorcycle even if it has no frame number labeled on it. Just follow the steps properly and register your motorcycle as early as possible.
7 Steps Of Registering A Motorcycle With No Frame Number:
Registering a motorcycle with no frame number is not a horrible experience if you can properly provide all the required attachments and complete the tasks in a prescribed time. Here I will show you how it is done with accuracy and in a legal way. Follow the steps described below and make your registration easy and simple.
Step-1: Fill Out The Registration Form:
At the first step of registering your motorcycle with no frame number, you need to collect the registration form from the registering officials of your area. The forms are different in every state and region according to their requirements. Go to the DMV office in your area and collect the registration form.
As you don’t have a frame number on your motorcycle, sometimes you may have to go to the local tax office to collect the registration form if necessary. After you have collected the registration form, fill it with proper attention. The DMV office will not provide you with another copy at a cost-free rate.
Step-2: Bring Necessary Papers:
You must bring some legal documents when you appear before the DMV office. The office requires an application filed with a statement that you want to register your motorcycle to cope with the law. Sometimes you may have to provide proof of ownership as you don’t have a frame number on your motorcycle.
Proof of residence is also required in some offices so that they are satisfied with your ownership. Some instrumental certificates like smog check certificates, brake system and light ensuring certificates, and vehicle verification certificates may be required in some offices, so better keep them with you.
Any Relevant Tax if unpaid or title tax if required, you must pay them first and begin the registration process. It requires a lot of paperwork and documentation to register your motorcycle with no frame number. So do them properly with patience.
Step-3: Recover A New Frame Number:
The next step for registering your motorcycle is to recover a new frame number from the DMV office or the registering officials. Frame number ensures the safety and increases the chance of recovering the motorcycle if it is stolen.
However, the frame number will contain a barcode and a plain number of 7 digits. There can be added two or three alphabets before the number. Check it properly and restore it in a secure place so that you don’t forget it. This is one of the most essential parts of registering the motorcycle. So do it with proper care and caution.
Step-4: Pass The Emission Test:
The DMV office will want to make sure that you and your motorcycle are fit enough to ride the motorcycle. They will have a test of your motorcycle riding by you. This also proves that you are the actual owner of the motorcycle and you are familiar with riding it. Try not to fail the simple test.
If the emission is not tested there, the DMV office may transfer you with your motorcycle to a local emission testing center. Whatever happens, you will have to collect the approved emission certificate and restore it properly. This certifies you as the possessor of the motorcycle. This will be needed in the further registration process.
Step-5: Have A Motorcycle Insurance:
Almost every DMV office requires the vehicle insurance card of your motorcycle. Especially when you don’t have a frame number on your motorcycle, the officials want proof of your financial conditions before registering it. If you already have a card, show it to the officials.
Riding a motorcycle without insurance can cause legal penalties. So if you don’t have a motorcycle insurance card or certificate, then contact an insurance agent immediately and prepare your insurance as early as possible. This will make your registration of the motorcycle easier and less time-consuming.
Step-6: Ensure The Safety Inspection:
Safety is a major issue. So the DMV officials will inspect the safety that your motorcycle is able to provide you. As the motorcycle does not contain any frame number, they will check the safety measures more accurately. And if it fails, they will refuse to register it.
One thing you can do to ensure the safety inspection is to check the safety measures by a local motorcycle shop or repair shop before going to the registration office. This will save you valuable money and time. Additionally, a professional shop can advise you on registering your motorcycle more effectively.
Step-7: Submit The Legal Papers:
When all the homework with papers and documents are done and you are ready to register your motorcycle with no frame number on it, contact the DMV office in your area and submit all the legal papers to them. Make sure that you have fulfilled all the requirements before submitting them.
You should keep a copy of each of the legal papers and documents in your custody for further legal protection. This may be necessary for the future when you have lost the motorcycle or it has been stolen. So keep them in a safer place after making copies.
Step-8: Pay The Registration Fees:
Registration fees are different in every state and their DMV offices. This also varies on the type of motorcycle you are registering. As you need to collect the particular forms in this process, it will cost you a little more money to register a motorcycle with no frame number than the one with a regular frame number.
As you have to pay, don’t make it late. Pay the required fees prescribed by the DMV office. Once your payment is complete, the registration office will provide you with a receipt of payment. Don’t forget to collect this receipt of your payment for registration. This receipt is also a legal document so keep it safe.
After the fees are paid, the registering authority will provide you with a new license plate and a current tag. Display the license plate on your motorcycle and the registration is complete here.
Registering A Motorcycle Without A Frame Number: Things Should Keep In Mind
Having no frame number on the frame of your motorcycle is not a disadvantage. It just requires more paperwork and legal documentation to register it. But you will have to remember some key points to make the registration of your motorcycle with no frame number simpler and hassle-free.
- Place The New Frame Number Properly:
When you are registering a motorcycle with no frame number, the only thing you are missing from a regular registration is a frame number. So when the registration office issues you this valuable number, affix it to a visible place and make it noticeable to the authority. Place the new frame number properly so that it’s not washed out or wasted easily.
- Fulfill The Legal Papers Carefully:
You will have to pay a huge amount of money to collect all the legal documentation and forms to register a motorcycle. And as you don’t have a frame number on your motorcycle, you will have to provide some extra papers also. So don’t make any mistake fulfilling them. Any type of error can cost you to restart all the proceedings and collect the forms again.
- Never Lose Any Legal Document:
You should keep all the legal papers and documents safe before submitting them to the registration office. Even sometimes you may face any legal affairs when you may need those papers or copies of them. So never lose those valuable papers before or after submission to the registering office or DMV office.
- Register Within Prescribed Time:
The law regarding the registration of your motorcycle determines time limitations for registering it. When you are registering a motorcycle with no frame number on it, you should follow the time limitation properly because you are already at a disadvantage here. Even failing to register within due time can cost you a monetary penalty and loss of a huge amount of money.
- Update The Motorcycle Insurance:
If you ride an uninsured motorcycle, you may be charged with penalties. So before you go to the registration office, make sure that your motorcycle insurance is up to date. But if you don’t have insurance yet, get the card first then attempt to register your motorcycle.
2 Ways To Create New Frame Number On Your Motorcycle:
Creating or recovering a new frame number is one of the most important parts of registering a motorcycle with no frame number. This little set of numbers ensures the title and ownership of your motorcycle. You can recreate or recover a new frame number for your motorcycle in two ways.
Way-1 For Frame Without VIN Number:
Sometimes the frame of a motorcycle contains a VIN number. But you can have a frame without both the frame number and VIN number on it. Then you will have to get the Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO) from where you have bought the motorcycle. It proves that you have legally bought the motorcycle from a legal seller.
After recovering the MSO number, you can label it in place of the VIN number. But then you will have to apply for the VIN number and register it before registering the motorcycle. Registering the VIN number is prior to the registration of the motorcycle because the registration authority demands either the VIN number or the frame number before starting the registration procedures.
Way-2 For Homemade Frames:
Sometimes people love making the frames of their motorcycles. There is no chance of having a frame number in the frames which are made by the owner himself. At this point, the registration authorities can issue you a unique frame number which will also work as the VIN number of your motorcycle.
Once you are issued with the numbers, affix them to a proper and noticeable place on your motorcycle. This should be done before the registration process begins because the DMV officials will not give you enough time once you have applied for the registration.
Related Questions
Can Frame Numbers Be Used To Register Motorcycles?
Frame number plays a very important role in registering motorcycles. The registration office checks some legal documents before registering the motorcycle and if they find that the frame number is missing or wasted or not issued then they can refuse to register it.
Frame number also brings the signature mark of your title and ownership of the motorcycle. For this reason, the DMV officials verify you as the owner of the motorcycle with the frame number.
How Long Does It Take To Register A Motorcycle With No Frame Number?
When the legal documents and all requirements are met in time, the whole process of registering a motorcycle with no frame number usually takes about 7 to 10 days. Basically, it depends on the registration office and your time management to register your motorcycle which does not have a frame number on it.
Sometimes the registering authorities need more time to verify the ownership and title of the motorcycle as the absence of a frame number delays the verification process. And if it happens, you may have to wait for a period of 15 days maximum. If you submit the legal papers early, the registration process will be less time-consuming.
Where Do You Register The Motorcycle With No Frame Number?
The Department of Motor Vehicles popularly known as the DMV office is the authorized place to register your motorcycle with no frame number. This office inspects all the required papers and documents submitted by you and operates the registration process.
Sometimes the DMV office refuses to register motorcycles that don’t have any frame number on them. Then you should go to the local tax office or registry office to register the motorcycle. And if none of them agrees to register your motorcycle then you may file an application to the local mayor and get your motorcycle registered.
How Much Does It Cost To Register A Motorcycle With No Frame Number?
It will cost you not more than 50 USD to only register a motorcycle with no frame number labeled on it. This includes the fees for buying or collecting the registration forms. The regular price of registering a motorcycle with no frame number varies from state to state and region to region.
But it can cost you another 60 to 70 USD to pay the title transfer fee if you want to retitle the motorcycle in your own name. Then it may take 10 USD at most to prepare all the legal documents and the related paperwork. Therefore, the whole process of registering a motorcycle without a frame number will cost you approximately $120.
Is It Necessary To Register A Motorcycle With No Frame Number?
Registering a motorcycle with no frame number labeled on it is very necessary. Riding a motorcycle without registration is illegal everywhere and can cost you a monetary penalty. Moreover, it will not let you have a license to ride your motorcycle wherever you want to ride it
Additionally, the motorcycle with no frame number does not represent your title and ownership over the motorcycle unless and until you register it. Anyone can bring an allegation of theft on you regarding the motorcycle. So in a nutshell, it is necessary to register a motorcycle with no frame number immediately to avoid unwanted legal affairs.
Is It Legal To Alter The Frame Number Of A Motorcycle To Register It?
According to the laws determined by the DMV office, it is not entirely legal to alter the frame number of a motorcycle to register it. Even if it is proven that you have altered the frame number by your own intention, you may have to pay a huge amount of fines.
The laws regarding the alteration of the frame number of a motorcycle are very strict because of the increasing number of theft or stealing. So it would not be a great decision to alter the frame number without prior permission. If the authority permits, you can alter it.
How To Update The Insurance Of A Motorcycle With No Frame Number To Register It?
The Insurance of a motorcycle can be updated through an insurance company or agency. Provide your legal documents containing your identity and the amount of your wealth to the office of that particular insurance company or agency. The insurance agency will provide you with a form to update the data you want to insert.
Fill the form up and submit it. After a few days, the company will notify you about a returning card. You will have to collect the card and show that while registering a motorcycle with no frame number. The policy of insurance companies varies from one to another. So the system of updating the data can be different.
Is There A Time Limit For Registering A Motorcycle With No Frame Number?
The Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV office determines the time period of registering any vehicle after buying it. Naturally, it gives you almost 30 to 60 days on conditions to use your motorcycle without any registration. But if you have a motorcycle with no frame number, then you should register it as early as you can.
Motorcycles which don’t have any frame number labeled on their body, are risky to ride everywhere. It can cause unwanted and unnecessary legal affairs and monetary penalties to you. However, you should register your motorcycle within 10 to 15 days after purchase if it has no frame number on it.
Final Remark:
Registering a motorcycle with no frame number is an unavoidable legal duty for every motorcycle owner. The legal proceedings regarding this issue are not that much complicated. All you need is to follow a certain process and fulfill the legal requirements in a prescribed time. The authorities are bound to register your motorcycle.
However, keep patience and remember some notable things regarding the submission of legal papers and your registration will be much easier. Register your motorcycle as early as possible. Thanks a lot for reading. Happy motorcycling!
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