I’m in California. I did my last payment on my motorcycle about 3 weeks ago. I still haven’t received the title. I posted an ad on craigslist and have someone interested on buying my bike. Is it possible to go to the DMV and register the bike on under the buyers name without the title?



You need to phone the finance company and ask for your title. You have the registration, which you need if you get stopped, but you don’t have the title. On the title, there’s a “Registered Owner” field (that’s you) and a “Legal Owner” field, which has your bank/finance company on it. They need to release their interest in it to you. One very practical problem is that the address to which you send payments may not be the address where your title is physically located. Some banks may inform DMV that they no longer have any interest in that vehicle, but many will merely mail you the original title with a signature in the “Legal Owner” field.
Best bet- call that 800 number that’s on your payments, tell them you need the title. Honestly, if you were selling that bike to me, I wouldn’t pay you anything for it without a title. Too easy to get burned that way. Don’t try to sell it without a title, either. And when you do get the title, make sure you fill out the top of the title with the buyer’s info (don’t forget his CDL) and take it personally to DMV. Otherwise, someone will be driving “your motorcycle.” If that bike is used in something illegal, the cops will come looking for you. “I sold it” may work in your hearing, but you’ll be booked and may have bail until you can prove you sold it. Get the title, then do the paperwork. With some luck, you’ll be able to get the title from the bank soon, and sell your bike. Good luck!
nope