BillOfSaleNow

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Scranton Motorcycle Bill of Sale Requirements

BN
Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: April 20266 min readEditorial policy

Complete requirements checklist for a motorcycle bill of sale in Scranton, Pennsylvania (Form MV-4ST). Includes exact fees, notarization rules, and where to file at the PennDOT – Scranton Driver & Vehicle Services.

Fees, notarization rules, and filing addresses on this page are reviewed against NY SCPA § 1301 — Small Estate Affidavit and the PennDOT – Scranton Driver & Vehicle Services. Source documents are cross-checked each quarter so Scranton buyers and sellers always see the current Pennsylvania motorcycle bill of sale standard, not stale third-party summaries.

Title Transfer Fee

$53.00

Sales Tax Rate

6.00%

Notarization

Not Required

Required Fields — Scranton Motorcycle Bill of Sale

All of the following must appear on a valid motorcycle bill of sale in Scranton, Pennsylvania per Form MV-4ST:

  • Full legal name and current address of seller
  • Full legal name and current address of buyer
  • Agreed sale price (in numerals and words)
  • Date of sale
  • Motorcycle year, make, model, and body style
  • 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
  • Odometer reading at time of sale (federal disclosure required for most motor vehicles under 10 years old)
  • Signature of seller
  • Signature of buyer

Notarization in Scranton: Not Required

Pennsylvania does not require notarization for a motorcycle bill of sale. Pennsylvania does not require notarization for a private vehicle sale. Both parties simply sign and date the completed form in the presence of each other.

Pennsylvania Motorcycle transfer fees and requirements

In Pennsylvania, the title transfer fee is $58 and registration costs $38 per year. Motorcycle sales are subject to 6% sales tax (7% in Allegheny County, 8% in Philadelphia). Pennsylvania does not require notarization for private-party motorcycle transfers. Emission testing is required in Pennsylvania — verify the motorcycle passes before completing the sale.

  • Annual safety and emissions inspection required
  • PennDOT handles titles and registration
  • Title transfer within 20 days of sale
  • MV-4ST form required for sales tax calculation

Official Pennsylvania bill of sale form

The official Pennsylvania bill of sale form is MV-4ST (Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration). BillOfSaleNow generates a document that meets all Pennsylvania requirements and can be used in place of the official form.

Pennsylvania sales tax on motorcycle purchases

Pennsylvania has a 6% state sales tax rate. 6% state (7% Allegheny County, 8% Philadelphia). Private-party motorcycle sales in Pennsylvania are subject to sales tax. Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases. The title transfer fee is $58.

Motorcycle market data and safety information

The most common motorcycle makes in private-party sales are Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki. Average private-party motorcycle prices range from $2,000–$20,000. Motorcycles average 2.4 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Brakes.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used motorcycle

Before completing a motorcycle bill of sale in Pennsylvania, verify these safety items:

  • Check tire condition — motorcycle tires have a 5-year lifespan regardless of tread
  • Inspect brake pads and fluid condition on both front and rear systems
  • Verify chain/belt tension and sprocket wear
  • Test all lighting including turn signals and brake light
  • Check helmet lock and passenger peg integrity
  • Verify ABS function (where equipped) by feeling lever pulse during firm stop
  • Inspect frame for crash damage — look for paint cracks at steering head
  • Test horn and emergency cutoff switch operation

Motorcycle insurance and depreciation in Pennsylvania

Motorcycle insurance averages $700–$1,500/year for full coverage. Sport bikes cost significantly more to insure than cruisers. Motorcycles depreciate 35–50% in the first 3 years. Harley-Davidson and BMW models hold value best. Peak season for private motorcycle sales is late winter to early spring (february–april) as riding season approaches, with an average of 30 days on market.

Motorcycle registration and titling

Motorcycles are classified as "Motorcycle" for registration purposes. No weight-based exemption for motorcycles. All motorcycles under 20 years old require federal odometer disclosure. Federal odometer disclosure is required for motorcycles under 20 years old.

Motorcycle title transfer rules

Motorcycle title transfer requires a signed title and bill of sale. Unlike cars, motorcycles have no federal odometer exemption based on weight, so all motorcycles under 20 years old require odometer disclosure. Motorcycle titles include engine displacement (cc) and may differ from car titles in format. Some states issue a separate MCO (Manufacturer Certificate of Origin) for new motorcycles instead of a title.

Odometer disclosure for motorcycle sales

All motorcycles under 20 years old require federal odometer disclosure under 49 CFR 580. There is no weight-based exemption for motorcycles. The seller must certify the odometer reading on the title or a separate form.

  • Applicable law: 49 CFR Part 580 — Odometer Disclosure Requirements

Required disclosures for motorcycle sales in Pennsylvania

When selling a motorcycle in Pennsylvania, the following disclosures apply:

  • Helmet law compliance varies by state — some require helmets for all riders, others only for riders under 18.
  • Aftermarket exhaust or engine modifications may affect emission compliance in states with inspection programs.
  • Salvage or theft-recovery title brands are common for motorcycles and must be disclosed.

Pennsylvania bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 3,091 bill of sale documents for Pennsylvania transactions, with 83 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Where to File — Scranton Title Office

Office

PennDOT – Scranton Driver & Vehicle Services

Address

1250 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18509

Phone

(717) 412-5300

Hours

Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:15 PM

Additional requirements in Lackawanna County:

  • Complete MV-4ST (Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration) when titling
  • Title must be transferred within 20 days to avoid late fee
  • Odometer mileage disclosure required for vehicles under 10 years old
  • PA sales tax collected at registration

What to Bring to the PA DMV

  • 1Completed, signed motorcycle bill of sale
  • 2Motorcycle title signed over by seller on the back
  • 3Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • 4Payment for title transfer fee: $53.00
  • 5Payment for sales tax (6.00% of sale price)
  • 6Odometer disclosure statement (if not included on title)

FAQ — Motorcycle Bill of Sale Requirements in Scranton

What are the required fields on a motorcycle bill of sale in Scranton?
A valid motorcycle bill of sale in Scranton, Pennsylvania must include both parties' full legal names and addresses, sale date, agreed sale price, VIN, year, make, model, and signatures of buyer and seller.
What is the title transfer fee for a motorcycle in Scranton?
The title transfer fee in Lackawanna County is $53.00. The motorcycle sales tax rate is 6.00%. Pennsylvania statewide vehicle sales tax 6% — no additional local vehicle tax in Lackawanna County
Is notarization required for a motorcycle bill of sale in Scranton?
No. Pennsylvania does not require notarization for a private vehicle sale.
Where do I file a motorcycle title transfer in Scranton?
File the title transfer at the PennDOT – Scranton Driver & Vehicle Services, 1250 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18509. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:15 PM. Phone: (717) 412-5300.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA