Typically, dirt bikes are built to handle rough terrain and provide an off-road experience. However, it is generally a good idea to know if dirt bikes are street legal in the state of Alaska if you want to ride them on Alaska’s public roads and highways.
Typically, local and federal laws, rules, and regulations controlling safety, pollution, and anti-theft requirements are not followed while manufacturing dirt bikes. As a result, most of the time, Alaska does not allow street use of dirt bikes. In light of the foregoing, there are a few mechanical and non-mechanical steps you may do to make your dirt bike street legal in Alaska.
To evaluate whether a vehicle is safe to use on public roads, each US state has its own set of rules and regulations. However, if you are a novice rider, the rules and regulations could first seem a little intimidating. But don’t worry, I have put up a thorough tutorial on how to make a dirt bike street legal in Alaska.
Related: Are Dirt Bikes Street Legal in Hawaii?
Is it Illegal to ride dirt bikes on Alaska roads?
A dirt bike is a lot of fun to ride. In Alaska, though, you are not permitted to ride your dirt bike anywhere you choose. You must abide by state laws, rules, and ordinances when riding a dirt bike in Alaska.
In Alaska, it is against the law to ride a dirt bike on any kind of public property, including sidewalks and residential areas. Since they are designed only for off-road use, dirt bikes are not street legal in their factory configuration. Additionally, as you are aware, off-road vehicles lack the accessories—such as headlights, taillights, turn signals, insurance, and registration—necessary to operate legally on the road. Therefore, unless your dirt bike is made street legal in the state of Alaska first, riding a dirt bike on the roads and streets of Alaska is strictly prohibited.
Additionally, breaking these regulations might result in a citation (ticket), the towing of your dirt bike, and an insignificant fee.
Only registered and plated dirt bikes are permitted to be used on Alaska’s public highways and streets. You must first make a dirt bike street legal in Alaska before you can register it there.
You must first make your dirt bike on Alaska street legal if you intend to use it on public roads and streets there.
Where can you ride your dirt bikes legally in Alaska?
In Alaska, your home is one of the greatest areas to go dirt biking. You are free to ride a dirt bike wherever you like on your private land. In Alaska, there are rules and legislation governing infractions of noise and pollution laws. Therefore, even on your own private land, you might not be able to ride your dirt bike if it is close to other houses. Regarding infractions of noise and pollution laws, every city or county has certain guidelines. Therefore, before beginning to ride a dirt bike on your own property in Alaska, make sure you are aware of the rules.
The local state park trails or open dirt bike parks are the next best places to ride a dirt bike in Alaska. However, be sure to take a quick look at the park’s fundamental regulations because some parks or trails in Alaska only permit the use of specific kinds of vehicles.
How do you make a dirt bike street legal in Alaska?
Making your dirt bike street legal in Alaska is similar to doing so in most other states. Regarding the legality of dirt bikes on its public roads and highways, the state of Alaska has its own set of laws and guidelines. Making your dirt bike more resemble a street bike or a motorcycle is the first and most crucial step in making your dirt bike street legal in Alaska.
In Alaska, a motorcycle is defined as a vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, and have an engine with more than 50 cubic centimeters of displacement.
Making a dirt bike street legal in Alaska requires some mechanical adjustments as well as some non-mechanical procedures.
Mechanical Additions to make a dirt bike street legal in Alaska
The first step to making your dirt bike street legal in the state of Alaska is making sure all the safety components of a motorcycle is present in your dirt bike. Knowing the parts you need in your dirt bike to make it street legal in Alaska may sound pretty simple. However, assembling all the required parts and modifying your bike can be an overwhelming process. Be at ease, though! I have linked exactly where you should go to purchase every part you require to legally ride your dirt bike on the public roads of Alaska
Your dirt bike should have the following equipment to get registered in Alaska:
- A working headlight and a taillight,
- A working brake light,
- A functioning pair of front and back brakes,
- A functioning turn signal and a horn,
- Two Mirrors,
- DOT-approved Tires,
- A License Plate Bracket,
- Additional Components (Odometer, Kickstand, Charging System, Stator, etc)
A dirt bike in Alaska must also be equipped with a muffler or other effective noise-suppressing system in good working order and in constant operation.
Non-mechanical procedures to make a dirt bike street legal in Alaska
Once you install all the safety components in your dirt bike and make it look more like a street bike, you’ll need to follow a few more steps in order to make your dirt bike street legal in Alaska.
1. Register your dirt bike with the DMV Alaska
The registration of your dirt bike in Alaska depends on where you purchase your dirt bike from(the dealer or private owner). When you plan to take the trip to your local DMV office, you must provide some crucial documents to complete the registration.
- The signed and completed title or MSO(Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin) certificate from the dealer.
- An Odometer Disclosure
- Current Registration of the dirt bike(if available)
- Alaska Motorcycle License
- Proof of Insurance
- A Completed Vehicle Transaction Application
- Receipts of all the paid fees and taxes
You’ll need to pay some fees for registration and title at the DMV for your dirt bike. There will be a fee of $60 for registration and $5 for Specialty plate transfer. Keep in mind, local county taxes and surcharges(varies by county) may also apply.
If you purchased your dirt bike from the dealer in Alaska and the dirt bike’s certificate of Origin doesn’t mention your dirt bike being off-road only, you don’t need to do anything. The dealer will submit your documents to the DMV Office in Alaska. You’ll receive copies of the documents sent for your records.
However, if you bought a dirt bike, which already has a title, from a private seller, it is your and the seller’s responsibility to register the motorcycle at the DMV office in Alaska. The titling can be done at the same time. To register your dirt bike:
- You and the seller must sign the title
- Provide proof of insurance
- Present the current registration
- Present the proof of ownership (MSO, title, or Bill of Sale)
- Pay all the applicable fees
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of making your dirt bike street legal in Alaska yourself, DirtLegal provides a dirt bike legal service for just $299. After you complete your order, they’ll be getting the paperwork ready for you and send you within 24 hours.
Do dirt bikes have titles in Alaska?
Yes, it is possible to title a dirt bike in Alaska. However, you will need either the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) or a Bill of Sale that meets the DMV Alaska requirements.
In case you don’t have the MSO, you can contact your dealer or the manufacturer to obtain this information. If you bought the dirt bike from someone else and the dirt bike is not yet titled, you may ask them for the certificate of origin. Furthermore, even if the previous owner doesn’t have the certificate of origin, you can use the VIN number to find out who the first owner is. This way you can contact them and ask them if they have the MSO of your dirt bike.
In order to register your dirt bike, the MSO of your bike must state that the bike meets or exceeds all federal emissions, safety, and anti-theft standards. If this statement is not present in your dirt bike’s MSO, it is usually considered for “off-road” purposes only and thus will be very difficult to get registered in Alaska.
How to get a title for a dirt bike in Alaska?
The process of getting a title for a dirt bike in Alaska is very similar to getting a title for a motorcycle, car, or truck. The most important document you’ll need in order to get a title and registration in Alaska is proof of ownership. Proof of ownership can typically be provided with one of the following documents:
- Title from the previous owner that has been filled out and signed,
- Bill of sale,
- Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin from the dealership(MSO),
- Documents that demonstrate the full chain of ownership.
If you purchased your dirt bike in another state and want to title and register it in Alaska, you’ll also typically need to complete a VIN verification and inspection.
Once all the documents are ready, visit the DMV office in Alaska and:
- Provide all the proof of ownership documentation,
- Photo ID,
- Complete an Application for Title or Registration (Form 812),
- Pay the $15 title fee.
If you’re buying a used dirt bike and the previous owner doesn’t have the title, or the state doesn’t issue titles to dirt bikes, a bill of sale will often suffice. To register/title a dirt bike in Alaska with just a bill of sale, you’ll need to be sure that it meets the DMV’s bill of sale requirements, which typically include:
- Full name, address, and signature of the seller,
- Full name, address, and signature of the buyer,
- Details of the dirt bike including year, make, model, and VIN,
- Details of the sale including date, sale price, and any other details.
Alaska also requires you to notarize the signatures on the bill of sale. Alternatively, you can also request that the seller applies for a duplicate title before proceeding with the sale.
How to register your dirt bike with no title in Alaska?
If you’re trying to register a dirt bike in Alaska with no title, here are some things you could do.
- Get a valid bill of sale from the seller along with any other ownership and registration documents they may have. The more documentation you have that proves the chain of ownership, the easier the process will be in.
- Run the dirt bike’s VIN to be sure that it’s not stolen and matches the dirt bike you’re buying.
- The DMV Office also requires you to get an Odometer Disclosure.
If you are still having issues registering your dirt bike without a title in Alaska, you may register the dirt bike in a non-title, no residency requirement, mail-in registration application state. One such state in the US is Vermont.
And lastly, if you still want to ride the dirt bike on Alaska roads without getting a title, you can go through the temporary dealer’s tag route. You can register a used motorcycle and bicycle repair shop in Alaska and request a dealer’s tag. A dealer’s license in Alaska costs around $100 with an additional $35 as a location fee. You’ll need to fill out a form that requires a Federal Tax ID number. If you don’t have this number, you may also use your SSN. I don’t personally recommend going through this route even though it is completely legal. Dealer’s tags are for temporary use only to either transfer the bikes or for local dealer use.
Do you need a license and liability insurance to ride a dirt bike in Alaska?
You don’t need a license or insurance if you plan to ride your dirt bike strictly off-road or even on your private property in Alaska. However, if you plan to link trails by roads or want to experience riding your dirt bikes on public streets and roads or highways of Alaska, you’ll first need to register with DMV Office in Alaska and get your dirt bike plated. Furthermore, you should also apply for an Alaska motorcycle license(Class-M) and have insurance in place. And lastly, always carry your license, title, and insurance papers with you while taking your dirt bike on Alaska roads.
