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Free Illinois Vehicle Bill of Sale

Illinois vehicle sales run through the Illinois Secretary of State (Vehicle Services Department), not a DMV. The buyer must title and register within 20 days using Form VSD 190, and pay the unique RUT-50 flat private-party use tax — a dollar amount tied to the vehicle's age, not a percentage of price. A written bill of sale is not state-mandated but is essential evidence of the transfer date, price, and as-is condition. If the vehicle will be registered in one of the 8 emissions counties (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Madison, St. Clair), confirm the Air Team test status before money changes hands.

Illinois Requirements: Transfer title within 20 days. 6.25% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Vehicle Details

Sale Information

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Illinois Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
VSD 190
Application for Vehicle Transaction(s)
Agency
Illinois SOS
Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
Exempt
Title Required
Yes
Illinois titles vehicles through the Secretary of State (NOT a DMV). Seller signs the title over to the buyer in the assignment section, including odometer reading. Buyer files VSD 190 plus RUT-50 within 20 days of sale to avoid late penalties. No separate state bill of sale form is mandated, but a written bill of sale is strongly recommended as backup proof of price and date — especially because the RUT-50 tax is calculated on age, not what you paid.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

Illinois is the unicorn: private-party vehicle sales are NOT taxed at a percentage. Instead, RUT-50 (Private Party Vehicle Use Tax) charges a flat dollar amount based on the vehicle's model year (age) — generally $25 for vehicles 11+ years old, climbing through a tiered table to roughly $390 for newer vehicles, with a separate higher table for vehicles with a purchase price of $15,000 or more (up to roughly $1,500). This means a $40,000 used Tahoe and a $4,000 beater of the same year can owe nearly identical tax. Pay RUT-50 to the Illinois SOS at title transfer.

Exemption: RUT-50 family rate of $15 applies when the transfer is between spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother, or sister. Gifts (no consideration) and inheritances also qualify for the $15 rate. You must check the family/gift box on RUT-50 and identify the relationship.

Inspection Requirements

Illinois has NO statewide safety inspection. However, vehicles registered in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Madison, or St. Clair counties must pass a biennial Illinois Air Team emissions test (vehicles model year 1996 and newer, gas-powered, generally 4+ years old). Failing emissions blocks registration renewal. Buyers in those 8 counties should confirm the seller's last test pass before purchase.

Illinois Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Seller signs the Illinois title in the assignment section, prints the buyer's name, and enters the exact odometer reading and date
  2. Buyer and seller complete Form VSD 190 (Application for Vehicle Transaction(s))
  3. Complete Form RUT-50 — check family/gift box for $15 rate if eligible (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling)
  4. Bill of sale lists VIN, year/make/model, sale price, date, and "sold as-is" language signed by both parties
  5. Buyer brings title, VSD 190, RUT-50, payment, and proof of insurance to a SOS facility within 20 days
  6. In Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Madison, or St. Clair counties, verify the vehicle has a current Air Team emissions pass before registering
  7. Seller removes plates (Illinois plates stay with the seller, not the vehicle) and reports the sale to SOS

Common Pitfalls

  • Assuming Illinois charges a percentage sales tax — RUT-50 is a flat dollar table based on model year, so an old high-value vehicle can owe far less than buyers from other states expect
  • Missing the 20-day title transfer deadline — late filing triggers penalties added on top of RUT-50
  • Leaving the plates on the car at sale — Illinois plates belong to the seller and must be removed and either transferred to a replacement vehicle or surrendered
  • Forgetting RUT-50 entirely and only filing VSD 190 — SOS will reject the title application
  • Buying a Cook/collar-county vehicle without confirming emissions — a failed Air Team test blocks registration until repairs are made
  • Claiming the $15 family rate for an in-law, niece, nephew, or cousin — RUT-50 limits family to spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, and sibling only

Pro Tip

For Illinois vehicle sales, file VSD 190 plus RUT-50 with the Secretary of State within 20 days, expect a flat age-based tax (not a percentage), and confirm Air Team emissions if the buyer is in one of the 8 emissions counties.

Illinois Vehicle Bill of Sale — FAQs

How much sales tax will I pay on a used car in Illinois?
Illinois does not use a percentage sales tax for private-party vehicle sales. You file Form RUT-50 and pay a flat amount based on the vehicle's model year. Vehicles 11 years old and older are typically $25, with the amount rising in tiers for newer vehicles up to several hundred dollars. There is also a separate higher table for vehicles with a purchase price of $15,000 or more, which can run up to roughly $1,500. The price you actually paid usually does not change the tax — age does.
Do I need a bill of sale to title a car in Illinois?
The Illinois Secretary of State does not require a separate bill of sale form to title a vehicle — the assigned title plus Forms VSD 190 and RUT-50 are what SOS processes. However, a written bill of sale is highly recommended. It documents the sale date (which starts your 20-day clock), the price, the VIN, and an "as-is" disclaimer. If a dispute arises over odometer accuracy, hidden defects, or whether the seller actually transferred ownership, the bill of sale is your primary evidence.
How long do I have to transfer the title after buying a car?
You have 20 days from the date of sale to apply for title and registration with the Illinois Secretary of State. Miss the deadline and you owe a late title penalty on top of the RUT-50 tax. Driving on the seller's plates is also illegal — Illinois plates stay with the seller, so you need either temporary registration permits from SOS or transferred plates from another vehicle you own before driving the car on public roads.
What does the Illinois emissions test cost and where do I take it?
The Illinois Air Team emissions test is free for owners — the program is funded by registration fees. Tests are required biennially for most gas-powered vehicles model year 1996 and newer registered in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Madison, or St. Clair counties (with some age and weight exceptions). Find an Air Team station at illinoisairteam.net. If you buy a vehicle in those counties without a current pass, you cannot register it until the vehicle passes — budget time and possibly repair costs into your decision.
Can I gift a car to my child without paying tax?
Gifting a vehicle to a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling qualifies for the RUT-50 family/gift rate of $15 — far below the standard table. Check the family-transfer box on RUT-50 and indicate the relationship. The recipient still must file VSD 190 and pay title and registration fees. Note that in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles do NOT qualify as family for RUT-50 purposes — those transfers are taxed at the standard age-based rate.

Other Illinois Templates

🚗Car Bill of Sale🚙Used Car Bill of Sale🏍️Motorcycle Bill of Sale⛵Boat Bill of Sale🚛Trailer Bill of Sale🐴Horse Bill of Sale🏎️ATV Bill of Sale🔫Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale🏕️RV Bill of Sale📄General Bill of Sale🖨️Free Printable Bill of Sale📏Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale⚠️As-Is Bill of Sale🎁Gift Bill of Sale

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