Illinois Temporary License Plate

What Is a Temporary License Plate in Illinois?

Illinois issues a “Temporary Registration Permit” (TRP) as the primary short-term vehicle permit. The TRP allows the buyer to operate a newly purchased vehicle on public roads while the Secretary of State processes the application for permanent registration and manufactures metal license plates.

The TRP covers the gap between the vehicle purchase and the delivery of the license plate. Licensed dealers, remittance agents, currency exchanges, and Secretary of State facilities issue the TRP. A separate transportation permit handles out-of-state and intrastate movement of unregistered vehicles.

The TRP is a polymer plate with a yellow background and black letters. The buyer attaches it to the rear mounting instead of a metal plate.

What Types of Temporary License Plates Are There in Illinois?

Only a Secretary of State facility can reissue a Class A TRP if license plates have not arrived by expiration. Classes B and C have no published reissuance rule.

When Is a Temporary License Plate Required in Illinois?

• A licensed dealer issues a Temporary Registration Permit at the time of sale when the buyer submits a valid registration application with applicable fees according to 625 ILCS 5/3-407.
• An out-of-state buyer receives a 7/30-Day Intrastate/Interstate Transportation Permit from the dealer to transport the vehicle from the Illinois point of sale to an out-of-state destination.
• A buyer from a private party may operate the vehicle for 24 hours with an assigned title, after which they must place a verified copy of the Vehicle Transaction Application on the windshield according to 625 ILCS 5/3-401(a).
• Transporters moving vehicles by driveaway or towaway methods obtain One-Trip Permits from the Secretary of State.

How to Get a Temporary License Plate in Illinois?

1. Gather a signed title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin, bill of sale, proof of liability insurance, and a valid Illinois driver’s license or equivalent ID.
2. Choose a lane: dealership at the time of sale, any remittance agent or currency exchange, or a Secretary of State facility.
3. Submit a completed Vehicle Transaction Application with title and registration fees; the issuing agent submits it to the Secretary of State.
4. Pay the fees listed in the next section at the cashier or through the dealer.
5. Receive the polymer TRP plate immediately and attach it to the rear mounting; permanent metal plates will arrive by mail in approximately four to six weeks.

The application uses Form VSD 190, available at all issuing locations and online for printing.

How Much Does a Temporary License Plate Cost in Illinois?

The TRP has no separate fee; the Secretary of State’s fee schedule includes it in the standard $165 title and $151 registration fees. Dealers and remittance agents may charge a processing fee for their services.

How to Get a Temporary License Plate Online in Illinois?

No. The Secretary of State does not offer consumers an online portal for obtaining a Temporary Registration Permit or Transportation Permit.

The TRP system at apps.ilsos.gov serves only licensed dealers, remittance agents, and currency exchanges for issuing and tracking TRP inventory. Consumers cannot access it directly.

For in-person service, visit any Secretary of State facility; the Facility Finder locates offices statewide. Remittance agents and currency exchanges also process title and registration applications with immediate TRP issuance.

The dealer lane at the dealership remains the standard route for most buyers, as the TRP is issued at the time of sale without requiring a separate trip.

How Long Can I Run a Temporary License Plate in Illinois?

Operating a vehicle without valid registration or a current permit violates 625 ILCS 5/3-401. The Secretary of State may also suspend license plates for lack of insurance, as currently published in the Illinois SOS fee schedule.