Can Small Trade Motorcycles Be Licensed?

[StIsabella]

Small trade motorcycles cannot be licensed. The Traffic Management Bureau has issued a notice stating that vehicles that do not meet national standards are not eligible for registration. Small trade vehicles refer to foreign cars that are granted a certain annual tariff-discounted import quota by the state to encourage investment, targeting foreign investors, overseas students, overseas Chinese, or foreign-invested enterprises with a certain level of investment. Such vehicles are referred to as "small trade vehicles" within the industry. Below are the required documents for vehicle licensing: Application form (to be filled out by the applicant, available at the licensing office). Original and photocopy of ID card. Non-local residents must provide the original and photocopy of a temporary residence permit. Original of the fourth copy of the invoice, to be affixed to an A4 sheet. Copy of the tax payment certificate (small green slip) obtained after tax payment, to be affixed to an A4 sheet. Original copy of the compulsory traffic insurance policy. Vehicle inspection form, with vehicle photo and chassis imprint affixed. Available at the licensing office.

[StMalachi]

I've purchased quite a few motorcycles and have looked into the situation with parallel imports. These parallel-import motorcycles are essentially imported through unofficial channels, such as some dealers buying them directly from overseas and selling them. However, the issue is that if you want to register them, you might run into trouble. Local laws require all vehicles to meet emission and safety standards, and parallel-import bikes haven't undergone official inspections, often lacking certification documents. I once saw a friend try to register one, only to get stuck at the DMV because the emissions didn’t meet standards or the engine number didn’t match. They struggled for a long time but still couldn’t resolve it. My advice is, if you're considering this, consult your local DMV first to see if additional documentation can help pass inspection. Another point is that saving money isn’t worth compromising safety. Buying through official channels might be more expensive, but registration is straightforward, and you avoid future inspection risks. Plus, there are plenty of motorcycle brands available now—choosing a domestic or officially imported model is more reliable. Don’t go for the cheaper option and end up losing out in the long run.

[OIsaac]

As someone who has been into cars for years, I have a deep understanding of parallel imported motorcycles. Getting them licensed isn't impossible, but it requires patience to go through the paperwork. You need to ensure the bike has complete import certificates, invoices, inspection reports, and passes local environmental and safety tests—some areas require noise and emission standards to be met. I've personally handled one before: first, I found a professional inspection agency to check the bike, spent some money to get the technical documents sorted, then queued up at the DMV to apply. The process was tedious and time-consuming. It's best not to go for cheap, unknown parallel imports because finding parts for repairs later can be tough, and insurance companies might not cover accidents. If you're really set on buying one, I recommend choosing a reliable seller, checking market reputation, and asking other riders for their experiences. After all, motorcycles are high-risk vehicles—safety comes first, and sticking with reputable brands saves a lot of hassle.

[DaniellaMarie]

Registering a parallel-imported motorcycle is quite complicated. Regular users buy them for the low price, but often get stuck during registration due to lack of official certification. I've been to the DMV to ask for a friend, and they said all documents must be complete, including the certificate of origin, emissions certificate, and safety inspection report. If anything is missing, you'll have to spend extra money to get it, and sometimes it still won't pass. It's better to just buy a properly licensed vehicle. If you buy one that can't be registered, you can only sell it as scrap or use it privately, which is risky and may even be illegal. So I suggest not taking this risk and keeping an eye on local policy changes instead.