Selling a non-running car in Lockport

The 7-day definition

Lockport Section 71.01 calls a vehicle on public or private land inoperable when it lacks its engine, wheels or other parts "for a period of at least seven days," or when damage or changes mean it "is incapable of being driven under its own motor power."

Three kinds of cars fall outside that definition:

• a car "kept within a building when not in use"
• a historic vehicle more than 25 years old
• a car sitting at a wrecking or junking business

A car laid up only while a mechanic does ordinary service or repair is also excluded.

The zoning code adds its own cap. Section 156.092 says "open storage of inoperable vehicles, vehicles awaiting repair, or vehicles in the process of being repaired is limited to one month."

How a tow happens here

For inoperable cars, Lockport gives notice before it tows. Section 71.03 says notice is handed to the owner or mailed to the address on the Secretary of State's current registration list. A sticker also goes on the car showing "the earliest date upon which the tow may take place," with the police department's address and phone number. If you see that sticker, the date on it is your deadline.

After a tow, Section 71.02 says a notice offering a hearing is sent or delivered "within 24 hours." The car stays impounded until the hearing is over unless the owner, lessee or lienholder posts a bond equal to the administrative fee and pays all towing and storage charges. Unless the hearing officer overturns the impound, the car is not released until every fee is paid.

Hazardous or unlawful vehicles can be towed without notice. Parking breaks lead to impound under Section 70.34, and Section 70.21 bars parking on a public street, alley or way "for more than 24 consecutive hours."

Title steps for a Lockport seller

In Illinois the Secretary of State takes care of titles. Lockport owners can send it to Springfield or take it to a Secretary of State facility.

• On a Lockport title, the Assignment of Title area holds every seller's and buyer's printed name and signature, plus the mileage certification. A notary is not part of the state's steps for sellers.
• Unscrew the plates. In Illinois the seller keeps the plates. It is illegal for a buyer to drive using them.
• Send Springfield the Notice of Sale, either the title stub or a VSD 703, without delay.
• Lost the title? Check the Duplicate Title box on Form VSD 190 to get a new one for $50. The state won't issue one if the original or an earlier duplicate went out too recently.

A car going straight to a scrap processor can move on a junking manifest before the junking certificate arrives. In Lockport, only a licensed scrap processor can receive a manifest. Lockport is in Will County, one of the counties in the state's emissions testing area.

If the car is an old project that never got finished, see old project car.

Getting an offer

For a car in Lockport, call (877) 421-6008 or start the offer form. Our truck reaches Lockport garages near the historic district, repair shops, and Homer Glen, a 4.1 mile straight-line hop. The Illinois page covers state rules.