CHAPTER 3 - CERTIFICATES OF TITLE AND REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES
625 ILCS 5/3-501
Sec. 3-501. Registration expires on transfer by owner. Whenever the owner of a registered vehicle transfers or assigns his title, or interest thereto, the registration of such vehicle shall expire and the owner shall not be entitled to any refund of the registration fee. The owner shall remove the registration plates and registration stickers, if any, therefrom and forward the same to the Secretary of State or may have such plates and registration stickers, if any, and the registration number thereon assigned to another vehicle upon payment of the fees required by law and subject to the rules and regulations of the Secretary of State.
Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/3-501
Offense Description
Failed to surrender registration to Secretary of State or to transfer registration upon transferring ownership of a vehicle to another
Offense Classification
Petty Offense
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/3-501 (Failed to surrender registration to Secretary of State or to transfer registration upon transferring ownership of a vehicle to another) is classified as a Petty Offense. Statutory sentencing scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000. Court appearance is not mandatory (pre-set bond or notice to appear), and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.
Offense Class & Sentencing ScopePetty Offense
No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
Court Appearance MandateRelease on Notice (No Mandate)
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State License SanctionStandard Administrative Protocol
No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
Failed to surrender registration to Secretary of State or to transfer registration upon transferring ownership of a vehicle to anotherOfficial ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-501 ->
Sec. 3-501. Registration expires on transfer by owner. Whenever the owner of a registered vehicle transfers or assigns his title, or interest thereto, the registration of such vehicle shall expire and the owner shall not be entitled to any refund of the registration fee. The owner shall remove the registration plates and registration stickers, if any, therefrom and forward the same to the Secretary of State or may have such plates and registration stickers, if any, and the registration number thereon assigned to another vehicle upon payment of the fees required by law and subject to the rules and regulations of the Secretary of State.
(Source: P.A. 80-230; 80-1185.)
Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis
Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/3-501 in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/3-501 (Failed to surrender registration to Secretary of State or to transfer registration upon transferring ownership of a vehicle to another) is classified as a Petty Offense.
Sentencing Scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/3-501 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?
No Mandatory Court Appearance (Pre-Set Bond / Notice to Appear): Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/3-501 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?
Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 625 ILCS 5/3-501?
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
Official Legal Citation Formats
Legal & Academic Reference
Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.
Illinois Supreme Court Citation625 ILCS 5/3-501 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.)625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/3-501 (2026)
Canonical Web Referencehttps://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-3-501