Overview
Title costs the same $165 as any other vehicle. A vanity plate for a motorcycle runs $50 to first obtain and $13 a year at renewal - cheaper up front than the $94 passenger-vehicle vanity fee, since there's less plate to make.
01 - Official fees
Illinois motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle registration | $41.00/yr | $38 base + $1 + $2 surcharges |
| Private-party purchase (RUT-50 flat rate) | $25.00 | any age, any price |
| Chicago local add-on (private sale) | $15.00 | |
| Cook County local add-on (private sale) | $90.00 | |
| Dealer purchase (Retailers' Occupation Tax) | 6.25%–10.25% | of price minus trade-in |
| Title fee (new purchase) | $165.00 | |
| Vanity plate - first-time issuance | $50.00 | renewal surcharge $13/yr |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Illinois Secretary of State (vehicle tax is paid to the Illinois Department of Revenue, IDOR) - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Illinois vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Illinois motorcycle fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a motorcycle in Illinois per year?
$41 flat statewide - $38 base plus the same $1 and $2 surcharges cars pay. There's no county variation; every Illinois motorcycle registration costs exactly $41.
Do motorcycles use the same age-based tax table cars use?
No - that's the one place Illinois simplifies things. Every private-party motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, three- or four-wheel ATV, and motorized pedalcycle pays a flat $25 state tax on Form RUT-50, completely ignoring both age and price. Cars don't get that simplicity.
Does Chicago add extra tax to a private motorcycle purchase?
Yes - Chicago adds a flat $15 and Cook County adds $90 on top of the state's $25, if your title address is in those jurisdictions. Both apply together inside Chicago city limits, for $130 total on a private-party motorcycle purchase.
How much tax do I pay buying a motorcycle from a dealer?
The regular Retailers' Occupation Tax rate - 6.25% state plus local add-ons, up to about 10.25% in Chicago - applied to the price minus any trade-in. The $25 flat rate only applies to private-party sales, not dealer purchases.
Is the title fee different for a motorcycle?
No - $165, identical to a car, truck, or SUV. Illinois doesn't discount the title fee by vehicle type.
Can I put a vanity plate on a motorcycle?
Yes, for $50 to first obtain it and $13 a year at renewal - cheaper than the $94/$13 passenger-vehicle vanity schedule since motorcycle plates are smaller and simpler to produce.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.