Selling Motorcycle in Illinois

The State of Illinois, despite severe winter weather is home to more than 200,000 registered motorcycle. Like cars, these motorcycles must be titled and registered with the Secretary of State’s (SOS) Office, in order for them to be legally driven in Illinois. There are no exceptions to these motorcycle-specific rules and more information can be obtained from the SOS Office.

If a motorcycle is bought from a licensed dealer then it he/she who does the necessary paperwork to have the motorcycle’s title transferred in the new owner’s name. The dealer also does the necessary paperwork for the motorcycle’s registration. It is he/she who collects the sales tax. However, used motorcycles for sale in Illinois aren’t unheard of and people do buy motorcycles from private parties. In that case, the following steps must be followed by the buyer in order to transfer the title of the vehicle and its registration:

• Completed and dated Application for Title and Registration
• The application can be obtained by contacting the Secretary of State Office
• Establish that the buyer owns the motorcycle. This is done by showing the title of the motorcycle, properly filled in by the previous owner
• The Odometer Disclosure Statement must also be properly filled in. The statement is on the back of the title
• The buyer’s name and the vehicle identification number (VIN) should match (same on the application as well as the title)
• Pay the required fee. The first time transfer of title of motorcycle fee is $65. An additional $38 will be charged to register the motorcycle and get the license plate. Registration will be for one-year and will require the owner to renew registration each year by paying $38
• The buyer must also pay the sales tax. The tax amount will differ from county to county
• The above mentioned documents will have to be submitted by the buyer/owner by visiting the SOS Office in-person or by mailing the same to the Office