CHAPTER 7 - ILLINOIS SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY LAW

625 ILCS 5/7-402

Sec. 7-402. Surrender of license to drive and registration. Except as otherwise provided in this Code or Article V of the Supreme Court Rules, any person whose license to drive has been suspended shall immediately return to the Secretary of State any driver's license, instruction permit, restricted driving permit or other evidence of driving privileges held by such person. Any driving authorization document issued under Section 6-206.1 or 11-501.1 of this Code shall be returned to the issuing court for proper processing. Any person whose vehicle registration has been suspended shall, upon the request of the Secretary, immediately return to the Secretary any license plates or other evidences of registration held by such person.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/7-402
Offense Description
Failure to surrender license and registration – financial responsibility
Offense Classification
Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
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.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/7-402 (Failure to surrender license and registration – financial responsibility) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class A Misdemeanor

Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Court Appearance Mandate Rule 551 Mandatory Court

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Pretrial Fairness Act (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.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8185

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Failure to surrender license and registration – financial responsibility Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/7-402 -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8185 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 7-402. Surrender of license to drive and registration. Except as otherwise provided in this Code or Article V of the Supreme Court Rules, any person whose license to drive has been suspended shall immediately return to the Secretary of State any driver's license, instruction permit, restricted driving permit or other evidence of driving privileges held by such person. Any driving authorization document issued under Section 6-206.1 or 11-501.1 of this Code shall be returned to the issuing court for proper processing. Any person whose vehicle registration has been suspended shall, upon the request of the Secretary, immediately return to the Secretary any license plates or other evidences of registration held by such person.

The Secretary is authorized to take possession of any license to drive, registration certificate, registration sticker or digital registration sticker, or license plates or digital license plates upon the suspension thereof under the provisions of this Code or to direct any law enforcement officer to take possession thereof and to return the same to the Secretary.

Any person willfully failing to comply with this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 9-110 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 101-395, eff. 8-16-19.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/7-402 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/7-402 (Failure to surrender license and registration – financial responsibility) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.

Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/7-402 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/7-402 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 5/7-402?

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 Citation 625 ILCS 5/7-402 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/7-402 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-7-402
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes