Illinois Dealer Fee Checker

The Illinois dealer fee checker separates entered quote items into government charges, dealer-controlled charges, optional products, and charges needing review. It also records whether each amount is already included in the advertised price so the same charge is not added twice.

The checker gives neutral review prompts. It does not decide whether every label is accurate or whether a charge is appropriate for a particular transaction.

Illinois statute sets a $300 documentary-fee base beginning January 1, 2020 and requires an annual Consumer Price Index adjustment. The exact 2026 figure used by this project is $377.63.

The $377.63 figure is published by the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association from that CPI formula. The statute provides the official base and adjustment method; the project did not locate an Illinois state page publishing the exact 2026 number. The tool identifies this source distinction instead of presenting the industry calculation as a state-issued figure.

When an entered documentary fee exceeds the comparison figure, use the neutral description: Above the current documented maximum used by this tool.

Illinois ST-556 instructions include documentary fees in the taxable vehicle selling price. The fee is dealer-controlled, is not an official government charge, and is not required by Illinois law.

For a complete purchase estimate after reviewing the quote, enter the supported amounts in the Illinois Out-the-Door Price Calculator.

Illinois administrative rules allow a customer fee of up to $35 for the optional electronic registration and titling service. It must remain separate from the actual government title and registration charges.

The checker never inserts this fee automatically. Add an Optional ERT Fee row only when it appears on the quote. An amount above $35 or a quote describing the service as required is placed in the needs-review group.

Government charges

Vehicle tax and properly identified Illinois title or registration amounts belong in the government group. Estimate those independently with the Illinois Tax, Title & License Calculator.

Dealer-controlled charges

Documentary service, dealer preparation, destination or freight, advertising, accessories, and the optional ERT service are not reclassified as government charges merely because they appear near tax and title on a quote.

Optional products

Service contracts and GAP products are grouped separately so buyers can see which entered amounts are optional additions rather than state charges.

The Illinois advertised-price rule permits clearly disclosed taxes, title and license fees, and a documentary service fee to be excluded from the advertised price. Other costs that are necessary or usual before delivery generally belong in the advertised total.

If a quote marks another dealer charge as required but shows it outside the advertised price, the checker asks for a written breakdown. It uses neutral wording and does not make a legal conclusion.

An unfamiliar protection, compliance, inspection, filing, or service label does not reveal who receives the money, whether the item is optional, or whether it is already included elsewhere. Unknown rows therefore remain in Needs Review.

Ask the seller for the charge's written description, recipient, tax treatment, whether it is required by the dealer, and whether it is included in the advertised vehicle price.

This example starts with a $30,000 advertised price and enters a $377.63 documentary fee, $35 Optional ERT Fee, $1,500 service contract, $2,000 vehicle-tax amount, and $199 unexplained protection charge.