Registration FAQs

If I buy or receive a car from a relative, do I have to pay sales tax?

Yes. You must pay sales tax whenever you purchase a vehicle, no matter who you bought it from. If you buy from a dealer, the dealer will collect the sales tax then. If you get the car from a private individual, though, you'll need to pay sales tax when you first register the vehicle. Even if the car was a gift.

You will need to file an RUT-50 form. This free form is not available online, but you can pick one up at any Secretary of State office.

You may also order it by mail from the Winchester Warehouse, a clearinghouse for the state's forms, free of charge. Send your request, including the form number and your full mailing address, to:

• Winchester Warehouse

• Attention: Forms Distribution

• 3701 Winchester Road

• Springfield, IL 62707

Or you can simply call (217) 782-7132 and and ask to have the form sent to you. Have the form number and name handy when you call.

Once you have the form, you can call the Illinois Department of Revenue at (800) 732-8866 to find out how much sales tax is due.

What is a grey-market vehicle?

A grey-market vehicle is one that was not originally manufactured to meet United States emissions standards. These vehicles must be brought into compliance with state and federal requirements before they can be titled. Once they are in compliance, they are no longer grey-market vehicles.

The short Grey Market Vehicles Brochure explains the necessary titling process for a grey-market vehicle.

What does "rebuilt" mean on a title certificate?

The word "rebuilt" on the title means that at one time the vehicle was salvaged and has since been restored to functionality by a licensed rebuilder. The car may have been declared totaled by an insurance company or severely damaged by flooding, fire, or other events.

A rebuilt vehicle will have passed a State of Illinois safety inspection and will have had its parts checked to assure that none of them were from stolen vehicles.

Do I need car insurance?

Of course. In Illinois, you must carry at least minimum liability insurance for all vehicles being driven that are required to be registered. This includes cars, vans, motorcycles, RVs, trucks, and buses―but not trailers. Otherwise, your license plates might be suspended.

Is there a way to get a new registration sticker right away? Mine is expired and I can't drive my car.

Actually, there is. Aside from renewing your registration in person at a Secretary of State office, you can renew and get a new sticker at some financial institutions and currency exchanges.

How do I get replacement tags?

Go to your local Secretary of State facility and get an Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) VSD-190. Submit the application and a $20 fee to:

• Secretary of State

• Vehicle Services Department

• 501 S. Second St., Rm. 011

• Springfield, IL 62756-6666

How do I get a duplicate title?

You must submit the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) VSD-190 along with $65 and a statement of explanation as to what happened to your original title. The application must have the correct vehicle identification number (VIN) and license plate number.

How do I get a duplicate registration card?

Submit the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) VSD-190 to:

• Secretary of State

• Vehicle Services Department

• 501 S. Second St., Rm. 011

• Springfield, IL 62756-6666

What if I haven't received my new registration card?

Wait at least 30 days from the time you renew your registration to receive the new stickers in the mail. Sometimes it does take longer. Applications are processed in order of receipt.

You can get a Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) good for 90 days at your local Secretary of State facility. It's free as long as you can produce proof that you paid your registration fee.

If it has been more than 30 days, you can inquire about the status of your application by calling (800) 252-8980.

Can I get a special registration for my nonoperational vehicle?

No. Illinois does not offer a special type of registration for vehicles that are nonoperable or placed in storage for an indefinite period of time. To avoid the fees, you'll need to cancel your registration and keep the vehicle entirely off the roads.

I'm doing my taxes, and I'm deducting as much as possible. Is there any way to claim my vehicle registration fee as a deduction?

Yes, but there are restrictions. The portion of your vehicle registration fee or usage tax based on your vehicle's value is considered a "personal property tax," and is deductible. Check out page 146 of the IRS's Publication 17 for more details.

But before you pen in the registration fees on line 7 of the 1040A form, double check to make sure your state calculates the car registration fee based on the car's value. For example, if your state charges you 1% of the car's value each year as a vehicle fee, and you pay $100 based on your car's value ($10,000), then you can deduct $100. If your state charges you for 1% of the car's value, plus a bunch of other miscellaneous fees, then you can still only deduct the $100. The fees might be itemized on your vehicle registration card or registration renewal form.

Other states ignore the car's value and charge only based on the vehicle weight or on another basis; in these cases, you can't take the deduction.

If you aren't sure about whether the state charges this fee or if you can't find the fee, contact your local Secretary of State office. If you have questions about taking the deduction, call a tax professional or the IRS.