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SUMMARY: Illinois License PlatesThen, a renewal application suitable for printing is generated for your vehicle renewal transaction. Please print and bring the document with payment to any Illinois Secretary of State facility, currency exchange or bank that sells vehicle registration renewal stickers.
If you're an Illinois resident, you'll need to have IL license plates on your vehicle. It's easy to apply for license plates—you just need to register your vehicle. In most cases, you'll be able to transfer your plates to your next vehicle. Before they expire, you'll renew your tags by renewing your vehicle registration. If your plates go missing or get damaged, you can order replacements.
Read below for details about Illinois license plates and tags.
Pick a plate that reflects your personality—find information about personalized and special plates on our Types of Special Plates page.
Get more information about disabled parking plates by visiting our Disability Placards & Plates page.
Types of Illinois License Plates
To drive your vehicle in Illinois, you must have license plates issued by the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS).
Standard Illinois license plates have a blue and white background, with red letters and numbers.
Cars and other passenger vehicles have plates on both the front and the back. Motorcycles have a plate on the back only.
All license plates have a sticker that shows when the tags expire.
Special License Plates
The IL SOS offers several different license plate designs. You can pick a plate that shows your support for a cause, your affiliation with a college, or a special interest or hobby.
For more information about these special plates, see our page on Types of Special Plates in Illinois.
Disability Parking Plates
You may be eligible for disabled parking license plates if you have a qualifying disability.
For additional information, including application forms, see our Disability Placards & Plates page.
Temporary Plates
If you buy a new car and do not yet have license plates, you can get a Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) from:
- Your vehicle dealer.
- A SOS office.
- A currency exchange.
OR - A remittance agent.
You must have submitted your vehicle registration application to get a TRP.
The temporary tag allows you to operate your vehicle while waiting for your license plate to arrive. It is good for 90 days and cannot be renewed.
Apply for Illinois License Plates
To apply for an Illinois license plate, you'll need to register your vehicle with the Illinois SOS.
New IL residents have 30 days to register a vehicle, and newly purchased vehicles must be registered within 20 days of the purchase date.
Visit our Vehicle Registration page for application instructions.
Renew Tags in Illinois
To renew the expiration sticker on your license plate, you must renew your registration.
You should receive a renewal notice before your decal expires. You can also check your vehicle's registration status on the IL SOS website.
For more information, see our Registration Renewal page.
Replace License Plates & Decals
If your IL license plates or decals have been damaged, lost, or stolen, you'll need to apply for replacements from the IL SOS.
To get a replacement license plate or expiration decal, you will need:
- The Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (Form VSD 190). Can be completed online or is available from your local IL SOS office.
- Payment for the appropriate fee:
- $6 for 1 license plate.
- $9 for 2 license plates.
- $20 for an expiration sticker.
You can get the application and submit your request in person at an IL SOS branch office.
Contact the SOS at (888) 261-7864 to check if they will accept your application by mail.
Transfer Your IL Tags
You can transfer license plates to a new vehicle IF you are transferring them to a vehicle registered in:
- The same name or names as the previous vehicle.
OR - The name of a joint owner of the previous vehicle.
NOTE: When a car owner dies, the plate can transferred to the joint owner. If there is no joint owner, the estate must go through probate before changes can be made.
To transfer your license plates, you will need:
- The Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (Form VSD 190). The form can be completed:
- In person at an SOS office.
- Using the Electronic Registration & Title System (ERT). You'll then need to print the form and take it with you.
- The $25 transfer fee PLUS any title or registration fees for the new vehicle.
- The most recent registration card for the plate number being transferred.
- An Affirmation of Correction (Form VSD 393) ONLY IF you're transferring the plate from joint owners to a single owner.
Complete the license plate transfer in person at your nearest IL SOS branch office.
Fees for IL License Plates
- Standard plates and standard plate renewal:
- Passenger vehicle: $151.
- Motorcycle: $41.
- Transfer:
- $25 PLUS title and registration fees.
- Replacement:
- 1 license plate: $6.
- 2 license plates: $9.
- Expiration sticker: $20.
Illinois License Plate Search
You can quickly and easily search for a personalized license plate design or style you want using the Illinois SOS Pick a Plate online system.
The Pick a Plate system also searches the license plate database to see if the letter and number combination you want is available BEFORE you even order it.
The IL SOS does not provide any other license plate search. The police can run a plate to locate a vehicle owner, but the general public cannot.
For more information about a specific vehicle, you can order a vehicle history report using its vehicle identification number (VIN).
Forms
This form is provided by your state's agency/department.
Please select one of the below to continue:
Email the link to this form Vehicle Registration Renewal in Illinois
To renew your vehicle registration in Illinois with your renewal notice:
- Go to the Illinois SOS website, enter your registration PIN, insurance info., and pay the $151 registration fee.
- Call the IL SOS, provide your PIN, and pay the fee.
- Mail in your completed registration renewal notice.
OR - Visit an Illinois SOS office.
For more detail, please read on.
IL Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice
Currently, the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) does NOT mail renewal notices. Instead, the SOS recommends you sign up for e-mail renewal notice reminders.
Military, U.S. Armed Forces, and DoD Personnel
If you are a member of the United States military, or a civilian working for the Department of Defense or with the U.S. Armed Forces, you have up to 45 days after your return to the country to register your vehicle. Contact your local SOS office for details.
Renew Your Registration in Illinois
If you have your registration renewal notice from the Illinois DMV, you can renew your IL vehicle registration online, by phone, by mail, and in person.
Contact the IL SOS to check the status of your registration renewal.
DID YOU KNOW?: Proof of car insurance is REQUIRED when renewing your registration!
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Online Renewal
To renew your vehicle registration online, visit the Illinois SOS website and provide:
- Your registration ID and PIN (found on your renewal notice).
- Your insurance agency, policy number, and expiration date.
- Payment. (See the “Fees to Renew Your Vehicle Registration' section below.)
Remember to print out your transactions receipt. If you renew online before your previous registration expired, the receipt shows proof your registration has been renewed. This receipt is valid for 30 days after your previous registration's expiration date.
Please note, you cannot renew your vehicle registration online if:
- Your vehicle information is incorrect.
- You want your license plate sticker sent to an out-of-state address.
- You want to change your license plate.
- You are in the Circuit Breaker program.
By Phone
To renew your registration by phone, call the Illinois SOS at (866) 545-9609 and:
- Provide your registration renewal ID code and PIN (found on your renewal notice).
- Pay the renewal fee. (See the “Fees to Renew Your Vehicle Registration' section below.)
By Mail Renewal
To renew your vehicle registration by mail, return your signed renewal notice and payment by mail to the address listed on your renewal notice.
If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can submit the following by mail to renew your registration:
- A letter containing:
- Your name and address.
- License plate number.
- Vehicle information (make, model, year, and VIN).
- Copy of your current registration card (if available).
- Payment.
Mail the above to:
Illinois Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd St
RM 055
Springfield, IL 62756
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd St
RM 055
Springfield, IL 62756
In Person
To renew your vehicle registration in person, visit your local Illinois DMV office and:
- Provide your renewal notice.
- Pay the renewal fee. (See the “Fees to Renew Your Vehicle Registration' section below.)
NOTE: If you have not signed up to receive your notice through email, you must renew your registration in person.
Fees to Renew Your IL Vehicle Registration
Your registration renewal fee in Illinois will vary depending on the type of vehicle you own.
Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees
- Passenger vehicle: $151.
- Trucks: $151.
- Motorcycles: $41.
- Additional fee for online transactions: 2.35%.
NOTE: Additional fees apply for personalized and vanity license plates.
Replacement Registration Sticker and License Plate Fees
- License plate sticker: $20.
- 1 license plate: $6.
- 2 license plates: $9.
- 1 license plate with a sticker: $26.
- 2 license plates with a sticker: $29.
Accepted Forms of Payment
For vehicle registration renewals completed online or by phone, the Illinois SOS accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards only.
For transactions completed by mail, you can pay your registration renewal with a check made payable to “Illinois Secretary of State.'
For in person vehicle registration renewals, the Illinois DMV accepts:
- MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit card. *
- Check.
- Cash.
* An additional processing fee will apply for credit card transactions.
Illinois Vehicle Emissions Testing
Before you can renew your vehicle registration, your vehicle may need to pass an emissions test.
The IL Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will mail you an inspection notice. You can have your vehicle tested up to 4 months before your vehicle registration expires.
To get your vehicle tested, visit an emissions testing station near you with your emissions inspection notice.
Your vehicle is exempt from passing an emissions test if:
- It is older than a 2007 model year and between 8,501 and 14,000 lbs.
- It is gas-powered and over 14,000 lbs.
When your vehicle passes, your testing station will notify the Illinois SOS electronically and you'll be able to renew your registration.
Replace Your IL Registration or License Plate
If your registration sticker or IL license plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a duplicate by mail or in person. You cannot request a duplicate online.
You'll need:
- A completed Application for Vehicle Transaction (VSD 190).
- Get the form online or from any Illinois DMV office.
- Payment. (See the “Fees to Renew Your Vehicle Registration' section below.)
Take the above to your local Illinois DMV office, or mail it to:
Illinois Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd St., Rm. 011
Springfield, IL 62756
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd St., Rm. 011
Springfield, IL 62756