Can You Buy a Motorcycle Without a License?

A beginner rider may be confused by the updated motorcycle license laws and requirements. However, if you are new to motorcycling with no riding history, you may be wondering whether can you buy a motorcycle without a license.

The confusion is, though, valid. For a novice rider, it is important to know the first step. What comes first if you want to start your motorcycling career? Let’s find out the answer to the question: “Can you buy a motorcycle without a motorcycle license?”

Yes, you can purchase a motorcycle without a motorcycle license. There is no such motorbike license regulation that can stop you from purchasing the bike. However, it is a required necessary document for a rider to start riding the bike. Without a license, you will not be able to ride a motorbike on the road legally.

Though you may buy a motorcycle without a license, there are many aspects to consider before making this decision.

At the time of buying a motorbike from the dealer or any other private seller, you are not required to show your license or prove you are a motorcycle license holder.

Buying a motorcycle is a straightforward process. While purchasing a motorcycle from the dealership store or a private seller, you will be required to make the transaction. The requirements may vary from dealer to dealer; however, to provide you with an idea, below are some documents you may have to provide if asked by the dealer:

• Proof of identity: This may be a national identification card or your driver's license.

• Proof of Residence: To provide the proof of residence, you may be required to show the utility bill that includes your current address.

If you plan to finance your motorbike, you may require the additional below requirements:

• Proof of Income: As proof of your income, you may be required to provide the dealership with your salary slip or your bank statement, especially if you plan to finance your bike.

• Motorcycle Insurance: Opting for motorcycle financing to buy a motorcycle, your lender will require you to have comprehensive motorcycle insurance coverage.

• Credit Reference: The dealership usually runs a background check of your credit history to verify if you are eligible for the motorbike financing.

If you are planning to finance a motorcycle, you will need a motorbike license for the purchase. Your motorcycle lender will prefer you to have a valid motorbike license to get your loan request approved. It is mainly because it is the best and a safe practice for both parties’ interests. The lender prefers to ensure that you are legally allowed to ride a motorbike you are purchasing on finance.

After when you buy a motorcycle, you will be required to have insurance. This is when you will need to provide the motorbike license.

Motorcycle insurance is directly related to the safety of riders and their bikes. On the other hand, a motorbike license is also proof that a rider is skilled enough to ride the bike on roads.

Most insurance companies require you to produce a motorbike license to ensure your bike is insured. The license becomes a basic requirement to qualify for insurance.

Whether you need a license for motorbike registration mainly depends on where you live or in which U.S. state you live. There are a few states that do not require a bike license for motorbike registration. California is among the important U.S. states that do not require a license for motorbike registration. However, most U.S. states require you to have a license for motorbike registration.

Certain US states that may not directly require you to have a license will require you to have your bike insured. It indirectly means that you will require a license, as most insurance firms demand riders to have a license as their basic requirement. This ultimately means you cannot register a motorbike without a license.

Even if you purchase a motorbike without a license, you will become the owner of the bike. However, riding a motorbike is different than owning one. To start riding your bike on roads, you will have to earn a motorbike license and learn how to ride the bike.

Every U.S. state may have different motorbike license laws and regulations. However, every state requires a valid license to operate a motorbike.

As a novice rider, you will be required to pass the written test, safety ride training, and practical road skills tests to get your motorbike license.

Though you will be able to buy the motorbike without the license, you will not be able to test-ride it. It is important to take a test ride before you buy the bike. This is why a bike license is important to ensure you choose the right bike.

It is fair for the dealer or private seller to not allow you to test ride the bike if you don’t have the license. No dealer or bike seller would want a non-skilled biker without a license to damage the bike. It is a high risk to give a new bike to a rider without a license.

A motorbike dealer may also get in trouble if you get in a crash right after the purchase. The dealer may get sued for selling the bike to an unlicensed biker who crashed the bike right after the purchase.

If the dealer or the seller allows the rider to take the test drive of the bike without checking or license and he crashes the bike, he may not compensate them at all. The rider is most likely to claim why the dealer would be allowed to take the test ride to someone with no license.

These are some major reasons why dealerships mostly don’t allow people to take the test drive of a motorbike without a license.

However, to ensure you make the right decision while purchasing the bike, go with someone experienced and a licensed bike rider. He can take a test ride for you to check the motorbike’s performance and look for any problems with a particular model.

This is the major problem you will face after purchasing a motorbike without a bike license. You cannot ride it to your home. There are some solutions for riders to transport their bikes home without a license after the purchase. These include:

Take the help of an experienced biker friend who has the license. He will not only help you pick the right bike and take the test ride on your behalf, but he can also help you transport the bike to your home. You can ride with him on the back of your bike to get the motorbike home safely.

Another safe way of taking your bike home from the dealership store is by transporting it on a trailer.

Some dealership stores also offer delivery services. They will deliver your bike safely to your home for additional transportation charges.

Purchasing a motorbike with a license is simpler and more effective. You don’t have to take help from a friend and may not face any rejections from insurance companies or lenders. It is always good to buy a motorcycle with a license.

Getting a motorbike license may be a lengthy process and may require you to go through the training process. However, buying a motorbike once you get the license is recommended.

Firstly, you can take a test ride and check the bike practically before buying it. You can make a better decision while purchasing the bike if you have the license.

If you are opting for the motorbike financing option, it is required to have a license. A license can help you easily go through the bike financing process.

Similarly, motorcycle insurance is also unavoidable. Without proper full-coverage insurance, you will not be able to ride your bike with peace of mind. Therefore, to get bike insurance done, you are also required to have a valid license.

Riders can get in serious trouble if they get caught riding the bike without a license. The law enforcers will impose heavy fines if you ride without a license. The penalties can get serious if you get involved in a motorcycle accident while riding without a license.

You will have to face serious consequences in the future if you plan to ride a motorbike again. With a bad motorbike riding history, you will not get the desired insurance rates from your insurance company.