How to Get a License Plate in Illinois?
Registration for the first time requires a personal visit to the Secretary of State facility. The transaction can also be carried out by a licensed transfer agent or currency exchange.
- Complete the Vehicle Transaction Application (VSD 190), available online through the Electronic Registration and Title (ERT) System or at any facility.
- Bring an out-of-state title (or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin), properly assigned to the buyer, proof of Illinois insurance, and a valid photo ID. Odometer certification is required when assigning the title for applicable vehicles.
- If the vehicle was purchased from a private individual, submit the Tax Form RUT-50 with a separate check made payable to the Illinois Department of Revenue. Purchases from a dealer require the dealer to submit Form ST-556 on behalf of the buyer.
- The facility issues a Temporary Registration Permit (TRP), valid for 90 days, which is displayed in place of the rear plate until the permanent plates arrive by mail. Title processing takes approximately three to four weeks.
Vehicles registered in Chicago or the Metro-East St. Louis area must pass a biennial emissions test through the Illinois Air Team before renewal. Illinois does not require a general safety inspection for passenger vehicles. (625 ILCS 5/13C.)
Renewal occurs annually. The Secretary of State sends a renewal notice, but the responsibility to maintain current registration lies with the owner. Renewal can be done online, by phone at 866-545-9609, by mail, or at any participating facility or currency exchange.
How Much Does a License Plate Cost in Illinois?
The basic registration fee for a standard passenger vehicle is $151 per year; the title fee adds $165 for new issues. The total first-time cost for a standard plate on a newly acquired vehicle is $316. According to the fee schedule in the cost breakdown below, additional costs for personalized or vanity plates increase initial expenses.
- Passenger registration: $151 annually. B-Truck plates cost the same $151. Motorcycles are reduced to $41 per year. (625 ILCS 5/3-806.)
- An initial fee of $47 applies to personalized plates, with an additional renewal fee of $7 annually. Vanity plates have an initial fee of $94 and $13 annually in addition to the base, according to the Secretary of State fee schedule.
- Electric vehicles pay an additional $100 per year in lieu of motor fuel taxes, raising the total annual EV amount to $251. (625 ILCS 5/12-805.)
- Title transfer for a corrected or duplicate title costs $50. Late renewal beyond 30 days incurs a $20 penalty.
- Illinois does not impose an additional county-level registration fee. All registration fees are set and collected at the state level.
Can I Get a License Plate Online in Illinois?
Online service covers plate renewals and replacements, but not first-time registration and title. First-time applicants must visit the Secretary of State facility, transfer agent, or currency exchange in person.
The Secretary of State’s license plate renewal portal accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) and electronic checks. A processing fee applies to credit card payments; the electronic check fee is currently waived. Renewal stickers arrive by mail within 5-10 business days.
For in-person transactions, use the Secretary of State Facility Finder to locate the nearest DMV. Participating currency exchanges and banks also process renewals with a renewal notice or previous year’s registration card. Mail renewals are sent to:
- Sign the renewal notice, enclose a check made payable to the Illinois Secretary of State, and mail to: Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department, 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756-6666. Allow 30 days for sticker delivery.
If your registration is a simple annual renewal with no title changes, the online portal is the fastest route. The facility handles everything the portal cannot: new titles, plate transfers, and corrected registrations.