While many states require only a rear plate, Illinois requires two: one for the front and one for the back, under 625 ILCS 5/3-413. Both plates must be visible and current.
How to Get a New Illinois License Plate
Moved to Illinois? You’ll get new plates when you register your vehicle at a Secretary of State facility or, in some cases, through the Electronic Registration and Title (ERT) system. Bring:
- Your out-of-state title
- Proof of insurance
- The correct Illinois tax form (RUT-50 for private sales or RUT-25 for dealer purchases).
The standard cost for a passenger vehicle is currently $316 total ($165 for the title and $151 for registration), which includes standard plates.
Illinois License Plate Costs and Fees
Annual license plate renewal runs $151 for passenger vehicles in Illinois. Personalized plates cost extra, so expect to pay a higher initial fee and more at each renewal. When you renew, you’ll receive a registration sticker that attaches to your license plate showing your new expiration date.
Replacement plates cost $6 per plate and $9 for both if they were damaged, lost, or stolen. A replacement sticker costs $20. If you need both a plate and a sticker, the fee is $26 for one plate and $29 for both plates.
How to Renew Your Illinois License Plate
You’ll receive a renewal notice two months before expiration, including your registration ID and PIN. Online renewal is typically fastest. Mail works too; simply send the detached notice bottom with payment. You can renew in person at Secretary of State offices, certain banks, or participating currency exchanges.
Replacing Lost, Stolen, or Damaged License Plates
If your plates were stolen, file a police report. The Secretary of State only processes stolen plate replacements if you have documentation.
For lost or damaged plates, skip the police report and instead apply for replacements using the Application for Vehicle Transaction form (VSD 190).
Transferring License Plates to a New Vehicle
To transfer license plates, fill out the Application for Vehicle Transaction (VSD 190) online through the Electronic Registration and Title system, at a Secretary of State office, or call 800-252-8980. The transfer fee is $25, or $190 if you’re also titling a new vehicle. Include the plate number you’re transferring and your current registration card.
Since plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle, you can only transfer plates between vehicles you own.
Illinois Specialty and Personalized Plates
Illinois offers various specialty plates for universities, causes, military service, and sports teams. Specialty plates each have their own fee schedule, so costs vary by type.
You can also obtain vanity or personalized plates, which let you choose your own letters and numbers. But keep it clean, as the state will reject any offensive combinations. Expect to pay $47 for personalized plates and $94 for vanity plates (in addition to the standard fee for new plates) when first issued, plus more at each renewal.
Illinois License Plate Rules and Requirements
Both plates, front and rear, must be securely fastened. Motorcycles only need rear plates. Semi-trailers only need rear plates since the trailer blocks the tractor’s back.
The registration sticker goes on the upper right corner of the rear plate. And take care to renew on time, as expired stickers get you pulled over fast in Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, and elsewhere in Illinois.
Plates must be visible and legible: no covers obscuring numbers, no excessive dirt, and no bending to avoid tolls. And make sure to keep your registration card in the vehicle. Driving without registration papers can result in citations even when your plates are current.
