Moving to Illinois: car title and registration costs
Moving to Illinois with a car you own: title and registration come to about $316.00 for a $20,000 car you have owned over a year (estimate). Register within 30 days of moving (Illinois Department of Revenue).
Tax on the car itself: $0.00 plus anything you fill in.
Estimate of government charges. The DMV or county office calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: moving to Illinois · Different situation?
Every line for a new resident
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use tax for new residents (only if used outside Illinois under 3 months) | State & local tax | you fill in | Illinois Department of Revenue |
| Certificate of title | Title | $165.00 | Illinois Secretary of State |
| Passenger vehicle registration (annual, standard plates) | Registration & plates | $151.00 | Illinois Secretary of State |
Deadlines
- Private-party purchase or gift: file RUT-50 and pay tax within: 30 days (Illinois Department of Revenue)
- Out-of-state dealer purchase / moving in: file RUT-25 within (days after bringing into Illinois): 30 days (Illinois Department of Revenue)
- Dealer files ST-556 within (days after delivery): 20 days (Illinois Department of Revenue)
Sales tax when you move
- Use tax for new residents (only if used outside Illinois under 3 months): Individuals who used the vehicle in another state for 3+ months owe no Illinois use tax but must still file RUT-25 or RUT-50. Not available to businesses or to military members whose home of record is Illinois.
Checklist before the DMV visit
- Your out-of-state title (or the lender's details if there is a loan) and current registration
- Proof of insurance that meets the state's requirements
- Your new driver license or ID, and proof of your new address
- Odometer reading; some states also need a VIN or safety/emissions inspection
- Proof of sales tax you paid when you bought the car, if it was recent (several states credit it or exempt you)
After that: yearly renewal
See registration and title fees in Illinois for the yearly cost.
Official tools: Illinois Tax Rate Finder (dealer location rate) · IDOR Tax Rate Database · RUT-5 Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Chart (2026)
Sources
- Illinois Department of Revenue: Vehicle Tax FAQs
- Illinois Secretary of State: Vehicle fees (license plates renewal, replacement, title) (as archived 2026-10-08)
- Illinois Department of Revenue: RUT-50 Instructions for Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Transaction (R-04/26)
- Illinois Department of Revenue: RUT-25 Vehicle Use Tax Transaction Return Instructions (R-07/26)
FAQ
How long do I have to register my car after moving to Illinois?
Out-of-state dealer purchase / moving in: file RUT-25 within (days after bringing into Illinois): 30 days, per Illinois Department of Revenue.
Do I pay sales tax when I bring my car to Illinois?
Individuals who used the vehicle in another state for 3+ months owe no Illinois use tax but must still file RUT-25 or RUT-50. Not available to businesses or to military members whose home of record is Illinois.
How much does it cost to register an out-of-state car in Illinois?
About $316.00 for a $20,000 car owned over a year (estimate of title and registration).