by Armando Martinez
Introduction
Buying a car from a private owner can be a great way to save money, but it also means you'll need to take care of some paperwork on your own. One of the most important steps is registering the vehicle with the state of Illinois. You’ll have to complete this process 30 days from the date you purchased your vehicle. In this article, we'll walk you through the process step-by-step so you can get your new car on the road as quickly and easily as possible.
Step 1: Get the Required Documents
Before you can register your car with the state, you'll need to gather some important documents. These include:
- The vehicle title: This document proves that you are the legal owner of the car. The seller should provide you with the original title signed over to you. If the title is lost, the seller can apply for a duplicate title through the Illinois Secretary of State.
- Bill of Sale: This document is used to prove that you bought the vehicle from the private owner. It should include the date of sale, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the purchase price, and the signatures of both the buyer and seller.
- Odometer Disclosure Statement: This document is required for vehicles under 10 years old and indicates the vehicle's mileage at the time of sale.
- Valid Illinois driver's license or state ID: This is necessary to prove your identity.
Step 2: Complete the Registration Application
Once you have all the necessary documents and the car has passed inspection, you can fill out the registration application. This can be done online or in person at your local Illinois Secretary of State office. You'll need to provide your personal information, the vehicle's information, and pay the appropriate fees. You can find the fee schedule on the Illinois Secretary of State website.
Step 3: Pay the Taxes and Fees
When you register your car in Illinois, you'll need to pay a variety of taxes and fees. These include:
- Title fee: $150
- Vehicle registration fee: $151 for cars and trucks under 8,000 pounds
- Sales tax: 6.25% of the purchase price
- Emissions test fee: $20
You'll need to pay these fees at the time of registration.
Step 4: Get Your License Plates
Once you've completed the registration process and paid all the necessary fees, you'll be issued a set of license plates for your new car. You'll need to attach them to the vehicle before driving it on public roads.
Conclusion
In conclusion, registering a car bought from a private owner in Illinois may seem daunting, but it's a straightforward process as long as you have all the necessary documents and follow the steps outlined above. By doing so, you can get your car registered and on the road in no time. If you have further questions, refer to the Illinois Secretary of State website.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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