How to Transfer a Motorcycle With a Salvage Title in Kentucky

Salvage motorcycle

The restrictions on operating a salvage title vehicle in Kentucky do not vary, regardless of whether the vehicle is an automobile or a motorcycle. It cannot be insured or driven on public roads until a "rebuilt title" is issued, which will require evidence that the motorcycle has been restored to roadworthy condition. Once you obtain a rebuilt title, your motorcycle can be insured, driven and sold as a roadworthy vehicle.

Things You'll Need

• Repair receipts
• Inspection report
• Check or money order
• Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Assembled from Wrecked or Salvaged Motor Vehicles
• Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title/Registration

Instructions

1. Repair your motorcycle to roadworthy condition. Make sure to keep receipts for the parts so that you can prove that they were not stolen. You will also need receipts for labor and a notarized statement of the repairs that were made.

2. Obtain a lien release statement from any party that holds a lien on the motorcycle.

3. Make pencil tracings of the motorcycle's engine and frame identification numbers.

4. Obtain a statement on company letterhead from the insurance company that insured the motorcycle. This statement should detail the damage done to the vehicle. This statement is only necessary if the motorcycle is damaged less than 75% of its original value.

5. Download and complete an Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Assembled from Wrecked or Salvaged Motor Vehicles (see Resources section), and have your signature notarized. Submit this application along with your repair receipts, the statement of repairs, the motorcycle's license tags, a lien release statement, pencil tracings and the insurance company damage statement to the county clerk's office of the county in which you reside. Wait for an approval notification to be mailed to you.

6. Download and complete an Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title/Registration (see Resources section).

7. Take the motorcycle to a state-authorized salvage vehicle inspector and have it inspected to confirm that it is in roadworthy condition. The inspector will issue you an inspection report.

8. Take the completed application along with the inspection report, the approval notification and a check or money order for $9 to the county clerk's office for the county in which you reside. Your title will be mailed to you within a few business days. It will be stamped with the term "rebuilt."

9. Transfer the rebuilt title to the buyer the same way you would transfer a standard title. A rebuilt title can be insured, driven and sold just as easily as a standard title can.

Tips & Warnings

• You must apply for a rebuilt title within 60 days of receiving your approval notice. Otherwise, you will have to begin the entire process all over again.

• If you choose not to repair your motorcycle, you will only be able to sell it for salvage value (the value of parts, etc.)

References

• Kentucky Statute: Registration and titling of rebuilt motor vehicles
• The Unofficial DMV Guide: Salvaged Vehicles (Kentucky)

Resources

• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Assembled From Salvaged Vehicles
• Commonwealth of Kentucky: Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title/Registration