When should I use the out-of-state sale page?
Use this page when your car sale in Illinois fits a out-of-state sale scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
Out-of-state sale — Illinois
Illinois Car bill of sale for out-of-state sale
Complete your Illinois car bill of sale for a out-of-state sale transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.
IllinoisCarOut-of-state sale
BN
What to know about out-of-state sale sales in Illinois
You must title/register the transfer in the state whose rules govern the sale (typically the state where the transaction occurs). Provide the buyer with your state's standard bill of sale and a clean, signed title. Some states require you to obtain a VIN inspection before releasing a title to an out-of-state buyer.
What to include in your bill of sale
- Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
- Car make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
- Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
- Any out-of-state sale-specific disclosures required in Illinois.
Seller guidance
You must title/register the transfer in the state whose rules govern the sale (typically the state where the transaction occurs). Provide the buyer with your state's standard bill of sale and a clean, signed title. Some states require you to obtain a VIN inspection before releasing a title to an out-of-state buyer.
Buyer guidance
You will need to re-title the vehicle in your home state after purchase. Bring the signed out-of-state title, the bill of sale, and any required inspection certificates to your local DMV. Many states require a state-certified VIN verification and an odometer disclosure statement to process an out-of-state title.
Illinois-Specific Note
IL requires out-of-state vehicles to have a VIN inspection by a state police officer or authorized agent (Form VSD 333). The out-of-state title must be surrendered, and IL title issued within 20 days of purchase.
Legal considerations
IL requires out-of-state vehicles to have a VIN inspection by a state police officer or authorized agent (Form VSD 333). The out-of-state title must be surrendered, and IL title issued within 20 days of purchase.
Illinois Car transfer fees and requirements
In Illinois, the title transfer fee is $150 and registration costs $151 per year. Car 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 car transfers. Emission testing is required in Illinois — verify the car 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 car purchases
Illinois has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. 6.25% state plus 1–4% local taxes. Private-party car sales in Illinois are subject to sales tax. Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket. The title transfer fee is $150.
Car market data and safety information
The most common car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party car prices range from $5,000–$25,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent car models is 4.2 out of 5 stars. Cars average 3.1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used car
Before completing a car bill of sale in Illinois, verify these safety items:
- Verify airbag recall status (Takata recall affected 67M+ vehicles)
- Check tire age — tires over 6 years old degrade regardless of tread depth
- Confirm brake pad thickness and rotor condition
- Test all seatbelts for proper retraction and latching
- Verify ABS warning light cycles off after ignition self-test
- Confirm child-seat LATCH anchor accessibility and integrity
- Test headlight aim and high-beam function on both low and high settings
- Inspect windshield for cracks in the driver sight line that could fail state inspection
Car insurance and depreciation in Illinois
Liability insurance required in 49 states (New Hampshire is the exception). Average annual premium: $1,600–$2,200. Cars lose approximately 20% of value in the first year and 60% over five years. Japanese brands retain value best. Peak season for private car sales is spring (march–may) when tax refunds boost demand, with an average of 21 days on market.
Car registration and titling
Cars are classified as "Passenger vehicle" for registration purposes. Standard passenger cars weigh 2,500–4,500 lbs; no special weight-class registration required. Federal odometer disclosure is required for cars under 20 years old.
Safety tips for out-of-state sale car transactions
When completing a out-of-state sale car sale in Illinois, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common car recall categories are Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Checklist for out-of-state sale car sale in Illinois
- Confirm the original title is signed and notarized if required by the seller's state
- Obtain a state VIN verification form if required in the buyer's state
- Complete odometer disclosure on the title or a separate form (49 CFR Part 580)
- Gather emissions or safety inspection certificates if required in the buyer's state
- File for title transfer in the buyer's home state within the permitted timeframe
- Get VIN inspection using VSD 333 from State Police post
- Surrender out-of-state title at Secretary of State facility
- Pay RUT-25 (Vehicle Use Tax for Out-of-State Purchases)
- Receive IL title and register within 20 days
Need the printable workflow?
Use the main Illinois car bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.
Open Illinois Car bill of saleWhy Buyers Want Documentation Across State Lines
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
$60–$85 mobile notary
Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.
Source: Thumbtack / NNA
Frequently asked questions
Why does the out-of-state sale 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 out-of-state sale 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 out-of-state sale transaction.
What are the Illinois fees for a out-of-state sale car 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 car makes are most commonly sold in Illinois?
The most popular car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$25,000.
Do I pay sales tax on a out-of-state sale car sale in Illinois?
Illinois has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket
Illinois car bill of sale by city
Create Illinois Car Bill of Sale
Free • 3 min • Printable PDF