What Illinois registration plates look like and what they tell you

Illinois registration plates carry a three-digit county code on the left side, followed by a three-letter combination and four numbers on the right. The county code identifies where the vehicle owner registered the plate — not necessarily where they live now. The letters and numbers are assigned sequentially by the Secretary of State's office, so you cannot choose them unless you pay extra for a personalized plate.

The color scheme changed in 2020. Plates issued from 2020 onward have a white background with blue text and a blue stripe on the left. Older plates have a white background with black text. Both are legal to keep on your vehicle; you are not required to replace a working plate just because it is older. The expiration date appears in the bottom right corner and tells you when your registration renewal is due.

Illinois also issues special plates for specific situations: disabled drivers, veterans, environmental advocates, and supporters of particular causes. These plates cost more than standard ones but serve as a visual identifier. If you want a special plate, you request it when you renew your registration or explore for a new plate.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Illinois plates show a three-digit county code, three letters, and four numbers, with an expiration date in the bottom right corner.
  • You cannot choose your letter and number combination on a standard plate, but you can pay extra for a personalized plate with a custom combination.
  • Plates issued before 2020 with black text are still legal; you do not have to replace them unless the plate is damaged or unreadable.
  • Special plates for disabled drivers, veterans, and other categories are available but cost more than standard registration plates.
  • The county code on your plate reflects where you registered the vehicle, not your current address.

Standard plates versus personalized plates

A standard Illinois plate costs nothing extra — the fee is built into your registration renewal. You receive whatever letter and number combination the Secretary of State assigns. Personalized plates let you choose up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or both) and cost an additional fee on top of your registration renewal. The Secretary of State's office maintains a list of combinations that are already taken or that violate content rules, so not every combination you want will be available.

The wait time for a personalized plate is longer than for a standard one. Standard plates are printed and mailed with your registration documents. Personalized plates are made to order and typically arrive four to six weeks after your renewal is processed. If you need a plate quickly — for example, because your current one is damaged — a standard replacement is faster.

Personalized plates renew on the same schedule as your vehicle registration. You do not renew the plate itself separately; when you renew your registration, your personalized plate renews with it.

Special plates for disabled drivers and veterans

Illinois offers a disabled person plate (sometimes called a handicap plate) that allows you to park in accessible spaces. You must have a disability certification from a physician, and the Secretary of State's office will ask for medical documentation. The plate itself looks like a standard plate but displays a wheelchair symbol. You can also request a placard to hang from your mirror if you prefer not to display a permanent plate.

Veterans plates are available to anyone with a discharge document showing honorable or general discharge. You do not need to prove service-connected disability; the plate is available to all veterans. The plate displays a military emblem and the word "Veteran." Both disabled and veteran plates cost more than standard registration but less than personalized plates.

If you have a disabled plate and move out of state, the plate becomes invalid in your new state. You will need to contact the Secretary of State's office to cancel it and request a standard plate if you plan to register your vehicle in another state.

How to order a replacement plate

If your plate is damaged, stolen, or unreadable, you can order a replacement through the Secretary of State's website or at a local driver services facility. You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration number, and proof of ownership. The replacement plate costs a flat fee that varies slightly depending on whether you want a standard or personalized design.

A replacement standard plate typically arrives within two to three weeks. If you need a plate when ready for a vehicle you just purchased, some driver services facilities can issue a temporary plate that is valid for 30 days while you wait for your permanent plate to arrive. Temporary plates are printed on paper and displayed in your rear window.

If your plate was stolen, report it to local police and keep a copy of the police report. Some facilities will waive the replacement fee if you provide the report, though policies vary by location. Contact your local driver services facility to ask whether they accept police reports for fee waivers.

What happens when your plate expires

Your registration plate expires on the date printed in the bottom right corner. When that date passes, your vehicle is no longer registered with the state, and you cannot legally drive it on public roads. You must renew your registration before the expiration date to keep your plate valid.

When you renew your registration, you do not automatically receive a new plate. Illinois allows you to keep the same plate number for as long as you own the vehicle, as long as the plate itself is not damaged. Your registration renewal documents will show your current plate number. If you want a new plate number or a personalized plate, you can request it during renewal, but it is not required.

If you let your registration expire and then renew it late, your plate remains valid as long as the physical plate is not damaged. However, driving with an expired registration is illegal, and you can be cited even if you have already paid for the renewal. Renew before the expiration date on your plate to avoid this situation.

Transferring a plate to a new vehicle

Illinois allows you to transfer your current plate number to a different vehicle if you own both vehicles. You cannot transfer a plate to a vehicle registered in someone else's name. To transfer a plate, you must register the new vehicle and request the plate transfer at the same time. You will need the title and registration documents for both the old and new vehicles.

The transfer process takes place during your registration transaction. If you are transferring a personalized plate, the same custom combination moves with you. The fee for a plate transfer is typically lower than the fee for a new plate, but you will still pay standard registration fees for the new vehicle.

If you sell or trade in your vehicle, you do not have to transfer the plate. You can surrender it to the Secretary of State's office, or you can request a new plate number for your next vehicle. Surrendering a plate does not refund your registration fee, but it does prevent someone else from using your old plate number.

Reading and understanding your plate information

The three-digit code on the left side of your plate is your county code. Cook County is 001, DuPage is 002, and so on through all 102 Illinois counties. This code was assigned when you first registered the vehicle in that county. If you move to a different county, you do not have to change your plate number — the old county code stays with the vehicle.

The three letters and four numbers on the right are your vehicle's unique identifier within the state. No two vehicles registered in Illinois at the same time will have the identical combination. The Secretary of State's office assigns these in order, so if you see a plate with very low numbers (like ABC 0001), it is an older plate that has been kept by the same owner for many years.

The expiration date in the bottom right corner tells you when your registration ends. Illinois registration runs on a calendar-year basis for most vehicles, though some commercial vehicles and specialty registrations have different renewal schedules. Check your registration documents if you are unsure of your renewal month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my old plate if I buy a new car?

Yes, you can transfer your current plate number to a new vehicle if you own both. You request the transfer when you register the new vehicle. If you have a personalized plate, the same custom combination transfers with you. The process happens during your registration transaction at a driver services facility or online.

What do I do if my plate is damaged or faded?

Contact your local driver services facility or order a replacement through the Secretary of State's website. You will need your VIN, current registration number, and proof of ownership. A replacement standard plate arrives in two to three weeks. Some facilities offer temporary paper plates valid for 30 days while you wait.

Do I have to get a new plate when I renew my registration?

No. Illinois allows you to keep the same plate number for as long as you own the vehicle, as long as the plate is not damaged. Your registration renewal documents will show your current plate number. You only get a new plate if you request one or if your current plate is damaged or unreadable.

What does the three-digit code on the left side of my plate mean?

That is your county code, assigned when you first registered the vehicle in that county. It identifies where the registration took place, not where you currently live. If you move to a different county, you do not have to change your plate — the old county code stays with the vehicle.

How much does a personalized plate cost?

Personalized plates cost more than standard registration but the exact amount varies. Contact your local driver services facility or check the Secretary of State's website for current pricing. The fee is in addition to your standard registration renewal cost, and personalized plates typically take four to six weeks to arrive.