When should I use the odometer exempt page?
Use this page when your dirt bike 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
Create Illinois Dirt Bike bill of sale for odometer exempt Online
Complete your Illinois dirt bike bill of sale for a odometer exempt transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.
IllinoisDirt BikeOdometer 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.
- Dirt Bike 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 Dirt Bike transfer fees and requirements
In Illinois, the title transfer fee is $150 and registration costs $151 per year. Dirt Bike 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 dirt bike transfers. Emission testing is required in Illinois — verify the dirt bike 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 dirt bike purchases
Illinois has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. 6.25% state plus 1–4% local taxes. Private-party dirt bike sales in Illinois are subject to sales tax. Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket. The title transfer fee is $150.
Dirt Bike market data and safety information
The most common dirt bike makes in private-party sales are Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki. Average private-party dirt bike prices range from $1,500–$10,000. Dirt bikes average 1.5 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Frame, Suspension.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used dirt bike
Before completing a dirt bike bill of sale in Illinois, verify these safety items:
- Inspect frame and subframe for cracks from jumps and crashes
- Check fork seal condition and suspension linkage bearings
- Verify engine compression and listen for bottom-end noise
- Check sprocket and chain wear — high-wear items on dirt bikes
- Confirm spark arrestor is present and unmodified (USFS land requirement)
- Test kill switch function and bar-mounted controls
- Inspect handlebar bend and crash-bar/skid-plate damage
- Verify sound output meets state OHV decibel limits (typically 96dB)
Dirt Bike insurance and depreciation in Illinois
Off-road-only dirt bikes may not require insurance. Street-legal dual-sport conversions require motorcycle insurance. Dirt bikes hold value well in the enthusiast market — 25–35% loss over 3 years. Japanese four-strokes retain the most. Peak season for private dirt bike sales is spring for motocross, fall for trail riding, with an average of 20 days on market.
Dirt Bike registration and titling
Dirt Bikes are classified as "Off-highway motorcycle (OHV) — not street legal without conversion in most states" for registration purposes. Dirt bikes typically weigh 200–280 lbs. No weight-class registration; classified by engine displacement. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to dirt bikes.
Safety tips for odometer exempt dirt bike transactions
When completing a odometer exempt dirt bike sale in Illinois, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common dirt bike recall categories are Fuel System, Frame, Suspension. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Checklist for odometer exempt dirt bike 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 dirt bike bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.
Open Illinois Dirt Bike 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 dirt bike 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 dirt bike 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 dirt bike makes are most commonly sold in Illinois?
The most popular dirt bike makes in private-party sales are Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki. Average private-party prices range from $1,500–$10,000.
Do I pay sales tax on a odometer exempt dirt bike sale in Illinois?
Illinois has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket
Illinois dirt bike bill of sale by city
Create Illinois Dirt Bike Bill of Sale
From $12 • 3 min • Instant PDF