No, you do not need a title for a moped in Michigan. The state’s Vehicle Code specifically exempts mopeds from title requirements, so the Secretary of State will never issue you a title document for one, and you do not need to present or transfer a title when you buy, sell, or register a moped.1Michigan Legislature. MCL – Section 257.216 Ownership is handled through simpler paperwork, and registration takes its place as the main document you need to ride legally.
What Counts as a Moped in Michigan
The no-title rule only applies if your vehicle actually meets Michigan’s definition of a moped. State law defines a moped as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with a motor of 100 cubic centimeters or less that cannot exceed 30 miles per hour on level ground and does not require the rider to shift gears.2Michigan Legislature. Michigan Vehicle Code Chapter 257 – Section 257.32b
If your vehicle exceeds any of those limits, the state classifies it as a motorcycle instead. That reclassification matters here, because motorcycles do require a title, along with different registration, licensing, and insurance rules. Before assuming you can skip the title process, confirm your vehicle’s engine size and top speed against the moped definition.
Proof of Ownership Without a Title
Because Michigan does not issue titles for mopeds, another document has to prove you own it. Which one depends on how you got the moped.
If you bought a new moped from a dealer, the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) is your ownership document. The dealer gives it to you as part of the sale and typically handles your initial registration at the same time.
If you bought a used moped from a private seller, a signed bill of sale takes the place of a title. That bill of sale is what you carry into the Secretary of State office to prove the moped is yours.
One practical benefit of this system: you cannot lose a title you never had. There is no lost-title replacement process for a moped, no duplicate title fee, and no way to end up with a mismatched title and registration.
Registering Your Moped
Registration is the step people sometimes confuse with titling. Every moped ridden on public roads in Michigan has to be registered with the Secretary of State. The fee is $15, and the registration lasts three years, running from May 1 through April 30 of the third year.3Michigan Legislature. MCL – Section 257.801e
To register in person at a Secretary of State branch, bring:
- Your proof of ownership — the MCO for a new moped, or a bill of sale for a used one
- Valid identification
- The $15 fee
You will receive a registration certificate and a decal that gets displayed on the moped. The decal is how officers confirm the registration is current.3Michigan Legislature. MCL – Section 257.801e
Renewal also costs $15 and must be done in person at a Secretary of State office. Online, mail, and self-service kiosk renewals are not available for mopeds, so plan the trip before your decal expires.4Michigan Department of State. Moped Registration and Decal
Buying or Selling a Used Moped
Because there is no title to sign over, a private moped sale rests entirely on the bill of sale. The buyer should insist on one that includes:
- Full names and addresses of buyer and seller
- Make, model, year, color, and VIN or serial number
- Date of sale and purchase price
- A statement about the moped’s condition
The buyer then brings that bill of sale, valid ID, and the $15 fee to a Secretary of State office to register the moped in their own name.3Michigan Legislature. MCL – Section 257.801e There is no title transfer, no lien search, and no odometer disclosure. A notarized bill of sale is not required, but notarization gives both sides added protection if a dispute arises later.
Sellers should keep a copy. Until the buyer completes the new registration, the state’s records will still connect the moped to the previous owner, and the bill of sale is the proof that the sale actually happened.
What You Still Need Besides Registration
Skipping the title does not mean skipping licensing. You still need a valid Michigan driver’s license, a graduated driver license at Level 2 or 3, a GDL Level 1 with a moped privilege, or a standalone moped license to ride legally. The dedicated moped license is available to riders 15 or older who pass vision, knowledge, and traffic sign tests and costs $7.50.5Michigan Department of State. Moped License
Mopeds are also barred from freeways and limited-access highways,6Michigan Legislature. MCL – Section 257.679a and riding one on a sidewalk or designated bicycle path is a misdemeanor.7Michigan Legislature. MCL – Section 750.419 Register the moped, keep the ownership paperwork with your records, and make sure your license covers the ride, and you have met Michigan’s requirements without a title ever entering the picture.