Motorcycle Registration in Ohio

Before you may ride your motorcycle on Ohio roadways, you must register it with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Use this guide to learn about motorcycle registration if you're a new OH resident or a long-time Ohioan who just purchased a bike.

Do you need to renew your motorcycle's registration? If so, head over to our Ohio registration renewal guide for more.

New Ohio Residents

Upon establishing Ohio residency, you'll have 30 days to register your motorcycle with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Titling and registration are typically done at the same time.

The first step to registering your motorcycle is completing an E-Check emissions inspection if you live in a qualifying county. Head over to our Ohio inspections guide for details on BMV E-Checks.

Then you can complete your registration by providing the following items at your local deputy registrar license office:

  • Your motorcycle's title.
    • If all owners cannot be present they must provide a power of attorney. One for the title signature and one for the registration The power of attorney for the title must be notarized. The BMV will accept a/an:
  • Your lease agreement, if applicable.
  • Proof of OH motorcycle insurance.
  • An E-Check certificate if registering your motorcycle in a qualifying county.
  • Payment for the $25 base registration fee AND any other applicable fees and taxes.

Still tying up a few loose ends after your move? Head over to our Ohio moving guide for tips on making your transition as smooth as possible.

OH Motorcycle Registration

The steps to registering your motorcycle with the OH Bureau of Motor Vehicles will depend on whether you purchased the bike from a dealership OR a private seller.

Motorcycles from Ohio Dealerships

When you purchase a motorcycle from an Ohio dealership, the dealership agent will complete the registration process for you. Typically, the dealer will include all applicable registration fees in the motorcycle's purchase price.

The dealership is required to provide you with a title within 30 days of the motorcycle's purchase date. They may also provide you with a temporary registration until your official tags and plates arrive in the mail.

Be sure to contact your motorcycle dealer if you have additional questions.

Motorcycles from OH Private Sellers

If you purchased from a private seller, you'll need to complete a title transfer AND possibly an E-Check emissions test (only required in certain counties) before registering your motorcycle with the OH BMV.

Once you have the title and E-Check certificate (if applicable), register your motorcycle by bringing the following items to your local deputy registrar office:

If you still have questions about registering your motorcycle, give your local BMV office a call.

Fees & Taxes for OH Motorcycles

Here are the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles' motorcycle registration fees:

  • Annual motorcycle registration fee: $25.
  • Deputy registrar license agency fees: Vary by number of years registered:
    • 1 year: $5.
    • 2 years: $7.50.
    • 3 years: $10.
    • 4 years: $12.50.
    • 5 years: $15.
  • Out-of-state vehicle inspection: $5.
  • Registration transfer: $6.
  • Permissive (local) tax: Varies by district and vehicle type.

Forms

BMV 5736
Registration Information and Authorization to Register
Use this form to grant someone else power of attorney to register your vehicle in OH. Typically used for registering a leased car.
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