How Much Is It To Transfer Plates In Illinois? (2026)
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Reviewed By Adam Ramirez, J.D.
Editor
Summary
- In Illinois, license plates are linked to the owner, not the car
- You can transfer plates to another vehicle you own
- Make sure you register the transfer with the state before switching plates
In Illinois, you can transfer license plates between two vehicles that you own. But how much is it to transfer plates in Illinois? It’s probably cheaper than you think.
Cost of Transferring License Plates in Illinois
The cost to transfer your license plates is $25, and you’ll need to fill out an Application for Vehicle Transaction (VSD 190) form to do it. Illinois won’t let you complete transfer-only transactions online, so you must visit a Secretary of State facility to do so.
Eligibility and Documents for Plate Transfer
You will need these documents to complete your transfer:
- A completed Form VSD 190
- The Illinois vehicle registration for the old vehicle, or the one you’re transferring plates from
- The title for the new vehicle, or the one you’re transferring plates to
- Proof of insurance for the new vehicle
In Illinois, license plates belong to the vehicle owner, not to the car. This means that if you sell a vehicle, you may not transfer the plates to the new owner. To transfer license plates to a new vehicle, you must own both vehicles.
How to Transfer Your Plates
To transfer your plates, you’ll need to gather the required documentation and visit a Secretary of State facility. After filing all the necessary documents and paying the transfer fee, you may move the plates from the old vehicle to the new one.
Can You Transfer Plates Between Different Vehicle Types?
But how much is it to transfer plates in Illinois if the vehicles differ? Unfortunately, you may not transfer plates between different types of vehicles. For example, you may not transfer plates from a car to a motorcycle or vice versa.
Updating Insurance After Plate Transfer
Once you’ve officially transferred your plates, don’t forget to notify your insurance company. Your insurer will likely need to update your insurance coverage to reflect the change.
Looking for Legal Help?
Now you know the answer to the common question, “How much is it to transfer plates in Illinois?” But as you can see, the legalities around even seemingly mundane things can be complicated. ConsumerShield is here to help you make sense of it all. Check out our array of legal tools and resources today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
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No. In Illinois, vehicle bills of sale are optional.
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Once you sell the car, you have 60 days to transfer the plates to a new vehicle. If you don’t end up transferring them, you should return them to the Illinois Secretary of State.
