When should I use the odometer exempt page?
Use this page when your bus sale in Illinois fits a odometer exempt scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
Odometer exempt — Illinois
Illinois Bus bill of sale for odometer exempt
Complete your Illinois bus bill of sale for a odometer exempt transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.
IllinoisBusOdometer exempt
What to know about odometer exempt sales in Illinois
Under 49 CFR § 580.17 as amended in 2021, the age exemption is two-tier: vehicles of model year 2010 or older are exempt (the old 10-year rule), but model year 2011 and newer vehicles are exempt only once they are 20 or more model years old — a 2011-or-newer vehicle that is merely 10+ years old still requires full odometer disclosure. You still must not knowingly falsify mileage. Even if federally exempt, some states have their own mileage disclosure requirements — document the known odometer reading in the bill of sale regardless.
What to include in your bill of sale
- Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
- Bus make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
- Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
- Any odometer exempt-specific disclosures required in Illinois.
Seller guidance
For an exempt vehicle, mark 'Exempt' in the odometer section of the title's Assignment of Title panel — no mileage figure is required. If the title cannot accommodate the disclosure, use Form VSD 333 instead. Dealers and distributors are required under 49 CFR § 580.8 to retain odometer disclosure statements for at least five years; no equivalent retention period is imposed by statute on private sellers, though retaining a copy is strongly advised.
Buyer guidance
Confirm the vehicle's model year and age before relying on an exempt claim: MY 2010 and older are exempt once 10 years old under both state and federal law; MY 2011 and newer require disclosure until 20 model years old under 49 CFR § 580.17 regardless of the Illinois flat statutory threshold. Motorcycles, mopeds, and antique vehicles are categorically exempt under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(f) without regard to age.
Illinois-Specific Note
Illinois codifies its own odometer exemption scheme under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1. The state statute at subsection (d)(3) exempts a vehicle that is 10 years old or older — a flat age threshold; the Illinois legislature has not amended this provision to adopt the federal tiered model-year framework. For MY 2011 and newer vehicles, however, the NHTSA final rule amending 49 CFR § 580.17 (effective January 1, 2021) requires odometer disclosure for 20 model years; the state flat 10-year threshold does not override this federal disclosure requirement for those vehicles. MY 2010 and older vehicles remain exempt at 10 years old under both state and federal law. Additional exempt categories under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(d) include vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 16,000 lbs, non-self-propelled vehicles, vehicles manufactured without an odometer, and vehicles sold directly by the manufacturer to any agency of the United States. A distinct Illinois-specific categorical exemption under subsection (f) covers motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, mopeds, antique vehicles, and expanded-use antique vehicles regardless of model year. A seller who provides a false odometer statement with intent to defraud faces treble damages or $1,500, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees and court costs under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(e).
Legal considerations
Illinois codifies its own odometer exemption scheme under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1. The state statute at subsection (d)(3) exempts a vehicle that is 10 years old or older — a flat age threshold; the Illinois legislature has not amended this provision to adopt the federal tiered model-year framework. For MY 2011 and newer vehicles, however, the NHTSA final rule amending 49 CFR § 580.17 (effective January 1, 2021) requires odometer disclosure for 20 model years; the state flat 10-year threshold does not override this federal disclosure requirement for those vehicles. MY 2010 and older vehicles remain exempt at 10 years old under both state and federal law. Additional exempt categories under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(d) include vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 16,000 lbs, non-self-propelled vehicles, vehicles manufactured without an odometer, and vehicles sold directly by the manufacturer to any agency of the United States. A distinct Illinois-specific categorical exemption under subsection (f) covers motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, mopeds, antique vehicles, and expanded-use antique vehicles regardless of model year. A seller who provides a false odometer statement with intent to defraud faces treble damages or $1,500, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees and court costs under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(e).
Illinois Bus transfer fees and requirements
In Illinois, the title transfer fee is $150 and registration costs $151 per year. Bus sales are subject to 6.25% state tax on private sales; local taxes may add 1-4%. Illinois does not require notarization for private-party bus transfers. Emission testing is required in Illinois — verify the bus passes before completing the sale.
- Emissions testing required in Chicagoland and Metro-East St. Louis areas
- Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price
- Title transfer within 20 days of sale
- RUT-50 form required for private party purchases
Illinois sales tax on bus purchases
Illinois has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. 6.25% state plus 1–4% local taxes. Private-party bus sales in Illinois are subject to sales tax. Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket. The title transfer fee is $150.
Bus market data and safety information
The most common bus makes in private-party sales are Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus, Freightliner, Ford (shuttle). Average private-party bus prices range from $5,000–$100,000. Buss average 3.2 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Brakes, Engine, Electrical.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used bus
Before completing a bus bill of sale in Illinois, verify these safety items:
- Verify DOT inspection history — buses have stricter inspection requirements than passenger vehicles
- Check emergency exit operation for all doors, windows, and roof hatches
- Inspect brake system including air brake components and ABS function
- Test all lighting, stop arms (school bus), and warning systems
- Confirm fire extinguisher is present, properly mounted, and inspection-current
- Verify first-aid kit and body-fluid cleanup kit are present (school bus requirement)
- Test child-check reminder system and rearmost rear-aisle alarm (where required)
- Inspect seat-frame welds and seat-back integrity for all rows
Bus insurance and depreciation in Illinois
Bus insurance varies widely — $3,000–$15,000/year depending on use (shuttle, school, tour). Passenger capacity drives premiums. Retired school buses are cheap ($3,000–$10,000) and popular for conversion projects ("skoolies"). Coach buses retain value better. Peak season for private bus sales is summer when school districts auction retired buses, with an average of 45 days on market.
Bus registration and titling
Buss are classified as "Bus or Commercial motor vehicle — CDL required for 16+ passenger capacity" for registration purposes. School buses typically 14,500–36,000 lbs GVWR. Transit and coach buses can exceed 40,000 lbs. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to buss.
Safety tips for odometer exempt bus transactions
When completing a odometer exempt bus sale in Illinois, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common bus recall categories are Brakes, Engine, Electrical. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Checklist for odometer exempt bus sale in Illinois
- Confirm the vehicle qualifies: model year 2010 or older, OR model year 2011+ and 20+ model years old, OR GVWR over 16,000 lbs
- Check your state's mileage disclosure rules — some exceed the federal minimum
- Record the actual known mileage in the bill of sale voluntarily
- Note on the bill of sale that odometer disclosure is exempt under 49 CFR § 580.17
- Retain a copy of the bill of sale showing the exempt-disclosure notation
- Mark 'Exempt' in the title's odometer field — do not leave blank or enter a mileage figure for a qualifying exempt vehicle
- Motorcycles, mopeds, antique vehicles, and expanded-use antique vehicles are categorically exempt under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(f) regardless of model year
- MY 2011 and newer vehicles are subject to the federal 20-year disclosure requirement under 49 CFR § 580.17 regardless of the Illinois flat 10-year statutory threshold
- Dealers and distributors must retain odometer disclosure records for at least five years under 49 CFR § 580.8; no equivalent state retention period applies to private sellers under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1
Need the printable workflow?
Use the main Illinois bus bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.
Open Illinois Bus bill of saleThe Private Vehicle Sale Market
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
Other Illinois bus sale situations
Frequently asked questions
Why does the odometer exempt scenario have its own page?
Different sale scenarios — such as private party, dealer, or gifted transfers — have different documentation requirements. This page focuses on what buyers and sellers need for a odometer exempt transaction specifically.
What should be included in this bill of sale?
Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the odometer exempt transaction.
What are the Illinois fees for a odometer exempt bus transfer?
Illinois charges a $150 title transfer fee. Registration costs $151 per year. Sales tax: 6.25% state tax on private sales; local taxes may add 1-4%. Notarization is not required for most transfers.
What bus makes are most commonly sold in Illinois?
The most popular bus makes in private-party sales are Blue Bird, Thomas Built, IC Bus, Freightliner, Ford (shuttle). Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$100,000.
Do I pay sales tax on a odometer exempt bus sale in Illinois?
Illinois has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket
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