Things have come together and I’m almost ready to buy a bike. I haven’t picked the specific bike yet, but my short list is getting very small. I’m going to check out a few in the next week and be prepared to take it home with me.

I’m hoping someone can confirm and explain exactly how the paperwork needs to be done.

1) My understanding is when I buy the bike, the previous owner needs to fill in the paperwork (the “Vehicle Registration Certificate”) and send it off to do the ownership change. Is that correct?

2) Is there anything I need to take with me when I hand over the cash? I was thinking I’d make my own bill of sale and myself and the seller would both sign and date it. It’s something I’ve always done in the past just to make sure everything is documented at the time of sale. Is there anything else they should be giving me?

3) What should I be looking for on the Vehicle Registration Certificate to make sure the bike is as it should be?