Dirt bike registration without title is one of the most searched problems in the powersports world, and for good reason. Bikes get bought at estate sales, traded between riders, or pulled out of storage with paperwork long gone. You have a machine that runs. You just need it to be street-legal or rideable on legal trails, and the missing title is the only thing in your way.
This guide breaks down every realistic path to registration when the title is missing, what each option costs, how long it takes, and where Montana fits into the picture for riders who want plates without the runaround.
No fluff. Just the process.
Why Dirt Bike Registration Without Title Is So Common
Dirt bikes change hands constantly and informally. A lot of them were never titled in the first place, especially older two-strokes bought new for off-road use. Others have titles that were lost, destroyed, or never transferred properly from the last owner.
Bikes That Were Never Street-Legal to Begin With
Many off-road dirt bikes, particularly competition-spec machines, are sold without an MCO (Manufacturer Certificate of Origin) or a street-legal title. They come with an off-road-only sticker from the factory. If you want plates, you are starting from zero regardless of paperwork history.
Private Sales Gone Wrong
You bought the bike. You got a bill of sale. The previous owner said the title was in the mail. Sound familiar? Private party purchases are the most common source of title problems. If the seller no longer has the title and the state records show a lien or old owner, you are in a complicated spot without the right strategy.
Garage Finds and Estate Sales
Bikes bought at auctions, storage unit sales, or from estates often come with zero documentation. The person selling may have no idea where the title is, or whether one ever existed. These situations require a specific approach, and most state DMVs are not set up to make it easy.
Your Main Options for Registering a Dirt Bike Without a Title
There are several legitimate paths forward. Which one works best depends on your state, the age of the bike, whether it has a VIN, and how you intend to use it.
Ready to register your vehicle?
Join thousands of vehicle owners who use Street Legal Hookup to handle their registration quickly and legally.
Get started today. →Bonded Title
A bonded title is a common route when you cannot locate the original title. You purchase a surety bond for the value of the vehicle, submit it to your state DMV, and receive a title marked as bonded. After a set period, typically three years, the bonded designation is removed and you get a clean title.
Requirements vary by state. Most require a VIN inspection, proof of ownership like a bill of sale, and the bond itself. Costs range from around $100 to several hundred dollars depending on the bike's value and your state's fee structure.
Vermont Title Method
Vermont is one of the few states that will issue a title to vehicles over a certain age based on a bill of sale alone, with no prior title required. This has historically been used by riders and collectors to create a paper trail for older bikes. Some states no longer accept Vermont-titled vehicles as easily as they once did, so confirm with your local DMV before going this route.
Montana LLC Registration
Montana does not require emissions testing and has a well-established process for registering vehicles through a Montana LLC, including bikes with complicated or missing title histories. Working through a state-licensed Montana processor, you can often register a dirt bike under an LLC, get Montana plates, and ride or trail legally with documentation that holds up nationwide.
This is not a workaround. Montana law allows LLC-owned vehicles to be registered in the state, and those registrations are valid across all 50 states. If you want a deeper look at how this works for salvage and hard-title situations, the guide on salvage ATV title registration in Montana covers the process in detail, including what documentation Montana typically accepts.
Court Order or Title Hearing
Some states allow you to petition a court for a title when no other method is available. This is slower and more expensive than other options, often taking months and requiring an attorney. It is usually the last resort when all other paths are blocked.
Contact Your State DMV Directly
Some states have specific abandoned vehicle title processes or owner-applied-for title programs that are not widely advertised. Call your state DMV and ask specifically about titling a vehicle without prior title documentation. Always ask about the bonded title process if they do not bring it up first.
How Montana LLC Registration Works for No-Title Dirt Bikes
Montana is a real solution for riders dealing with title problems. The state does not have a sales tax, does not require emissions testing, and has a history of processing registrations for vehicles with complicated paperwork situations.
Setting Up the LLC
You form a Montana LLC through the Secretary of State's office. The LLC owns the vehicle rather than you personally. This creates a clean ownership record through the LLC, even when the prior title history is murky. The Montana Secretary of State business portal handles LLC formation filings.
What Documents You Actually Need
Requirements depend on the specific situation, but a bill of sale is the starting point for most no-title registrations. A VIN inspection may also be required. Street Legal Hookup is backed by a state-licensed Montana processor who works through these situations regularly. Most cases get resolved faster than riders expect because the processor knows exactly what Montana will accept.
For a broader breakdown of how no-title registration works in Montana, this resource on registering a vehicle without a title in Montana from our family brand HMMWV Registration covers the core process and what to expect.
Getting Plates and Riding Legally
Once the LLC is formed and the registration is processed, you receive Montana plates. Those plates are recognized in every state. You are not limited to riding in Montana. Riders across the country use this method for dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, and other vehicles that fall outside normal title channels.
If you are also working through making your bike street-legal at the same time, the Ride Legal guide on how to make your dirt bike street legal in 2026 is worth reading alongside this one.
| Method | Typical Cost | Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonded Title | $100, $500+ | 2, 6 weeks | Bikes with VIN, bill of sale available |
| Vermont Title | $75, $150 | 2, 4 weeks | Older bikes, state dependent |
| Montana LLC Registration | Varies by package | 1, 3 weeks typical | No-title, salvage, or complicated histories |
| Court Order | $500, $2,000+ | 3, 12 months | Last resort when all else fails |
| State DMV Program | Varies by state | Varies | Abandoned or unclaimed vehicles |
Common Mistakes That Make Title Problems Worse
Riders dealing with missing titles sometimes take shortcuts that create bigger problems. Knowing what to avoid saves time and money.
Buying a Bike Without Any Documentation
Always get a bill of sale even if there is no title. A bill of sale with the seller's name, address, bike VIN, purchase price, and date gives you a paper trail to start with. Without it, most title recovery options become harder or impossible.
Assuming Your State DMV Will Figure It Out
State DMVs do not proactively offer alternatives. If you walk in and say you lost the title, the clerk will often tell you to contact the prior owner for a duplicate. If the prior owner is gone, you need to know your options before you walk through the door. Bonded title, owner-applied-for title, or Montana LLC are the conversations you need to initiate.
Not Verifying the VIN Before You Buy
Before you pursue registration on any bike without a title, run the VIN through the NHTSA VIN decoder to check for recalls and confirm the bike is not reported stolen. Registering a stolen vehicle creates serious problems, and no service can help you with that situation.
Waiting Too Long
The longer you ride without registration, the more exposure you create. Unregistered vehicles can be impounded, and some states impose penalties for riding unregistered off public land. Get the paperwork started as soon as you have the bike.
Dirt Bikes vs. ATVs vs. Motorcycles: Does the Process Differ?
The title recovery process is broadly similar across powersports, but there are differences worth knowing.
Dirt Bikes
Many factory off-road dirt bikes are sold without an MCO tied to a street-legal title. Some states allow off-road registration with just a bill of sale for trail riding on designated OHV areas. Street registration requires a proper title or Montana LLC route.
ATVs and UTVs
ATVs and UTVs follow similar rules to dirt bikes but are often easier to register for off-road use only. If you want street-legal plates, the title situation matters more. The full breakdown on salvage ATV title registration in Montana covers how the Montana route works for these machines specifically.
Motorcycles
Street motorcycles almost always need a proper title for on-road registration. The bonded title route is common for motorcycles with missing paperwork. Montana LLC works here too. For motorcycles with salvage issues layered on top, the guide on salvage motorcycle title in Montana is a relevant resource.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dirt Bike Registration Without Title
Can I register a dirt bike with just a bill of sale?
In some states, yes, but only for off-road or OHV use. For street registration, most states require a title or a bonded title based on the bill of sale. Montana LLC registration is one of the more accessible routes when a bill of sale is your only paperwork, as a licensed Montana processor can work through what documentation the state will accept for your specific situation.
How do I get a title for a dirt bike I bought without one?
Start by checking if your state offers a bonded title program. You will need a VIN inspection, a bill of sale, and a surety bond for the bike's value. Alternatively, a Montana LLC registration can establish clean ownership documentation. If the bike is old enough, the Vermont title method or a state abandoned vehicle program may also apply.
What is a bonded title and how does it work for a dirt bike?
A bonded title is issued when you cannot produce a standard title. You obtain a surety bond equal to the appraised value of the bike, submit it with supporting documents to your state DMV, and receive a title marked bonded. After typically three years with no ownership challenges, you receive a clean title. The bond protects any prior owner who might make a claim during that period.
Can I ride my dirt bike on trails without a title?
Riding on designated OHV land often requires a state OHV registration or permit, not a street title. Requirements vary significantly by state. Some states register off-road vehicles with just a bill of sale and a small fee. Check with your state's parks and recreation or DMV specifically for OHV registration requirements, which are separate from street registration rules.
Does Montana actually work for out-of-state riders trying to register a dirt bike?
Yes. Montana allows non-residents to form an LLC and register vehicles through that LLC. The registration is issued by Montana and is valid nationwide. Riders use this route for bikes with missing titles, complicated ownership histories, and vehicles that would face high tax or inspection hurdles in their home state. Street Legal Hookup works directly with a state-licensed Montana processor for this process.
How long does it take to register a dirt bike through a Montana LLC?
Typical processing time runs one to three weeks once your documents are submitted, though complex cases may take longer. The LLC formation and registration happen together when you work through a full-service processor. You will receive your registration documents and plates by mail.
What if the dirt bike's VIN has been removed or altered?
A missing or altered VIN is a serious red flag and creates problems no registration service can fix. Altered VINs may indicate the bike is stolen. Walk away from any purchase where the VIN has been tampered with. If the VIN is simply worn or hard to read due to age, a VIN inspection through your state DMV or law enforcement can help establish and re-stamp a verifiable number in some situations.
Is Montana LLC registration the same as zero-tax registration services I have seen advertised online?
The underlying concept is the same. Many services offer Montana LLC registration and market it on the no sales tax angle. Street Legal Hookup takes it further by working directly through a state-licensed Montana processor, which means you get the actual Montana DOJ and SOS compliance behind your registration rather than a third-party workaround. For official fee information, the Montana DOJ vehicle title and registration page covers state-level requirements.
Get Your Bike Registered and Get Moving
Dirt bike registration without title does not have to stop you from riding. Whether you are working with a bill of sale from a private sale, pulling a bike out of storage with no paperwork, or dealing with a factory off-road-only machine you want to get street-legal, there are real paths forward.
Street Legal Hookup handles the hard cases. Backed by a state-licensed Montana processor, we work through the documentation situations that most services turn away. Verified customer reviews are growing because the results are real. You get registered, you get plates, and you get moving.
If your situation involves more than just a missing title, such as a salvage record or a lien that was never released, the resources on title transfer and DMV questions cover those angles in detail.
Get started today.
Related Reading
