How to renew your Illinois license plate
You renew your Illinois license plate through the Illinois Secretary of State's office, either online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services facility. The Secretary of State sends you a renewal notice 30 to 60 days before your plate expires—check the expiration date on your current plate or registration card. You can renew online at cyberdriveillinois.com if your vehicle has no safety or emissions violations and your registration is current; if either of those conditions doesn't explore, you'll need to renew by mail or in person.
The process itself is straightforward once you know which route fits your situation. Online renewal takes minutes and costs less than mail or in-person renewal because you avoid a service fee. Mail and in-person renewal both work, but mail takes longer and in-person means a trip to a Driver Services facility during their hours. Your new plate arrives by mail after processing, which typically takes two to three weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal at cyberdriveillinois.com is the fastest and cheapest option if your vehicle has no violations and your registration is current.
- The Secretary of State mails you a renewal notice 30 to 60 days before expiration; use that notice number when you renew online.
- Mail and in-person renewal both require a $10 service fee on top of the plate renewal cost, while online renewal does not.
- Your new plate arrives by mail in two to three weeks after the Secretary of State processes your renewal.
- You can drive on your current plate until the expiration date even after you renew, as long as you have proof of renewal with you.
What you need before you renew online
To renew online, have your renewal notice handy—it shows your notice number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and current plate number. You'll also need a valid payment method: a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. The Secretary of State's online system will ask you to confirm your vehicle information and current address.
Online renewal is only available if your vehicle passed its last emissions test (if required in your county) and has no safety violations on record. If the system tells you that you cannot renew online, it means one of those conditions applies to your vehicle. In that case, you'll need to renew by mail or in person instead.
Renewing by mail with the Secretary of State
Mail renewal starts with the renewal notice the Secretary of State sends you. Fill out the notice itself or the process form that came with it, sign it, and mail it back with a check or money order for the renewal fee plus the $10 service fee. Do not send cash. Include your current plate number and VIN so the office can match your renewal to your record.
Mail your renewal notice to the address printed on it—this is usually the Springfield office, but check your notice to be sure. Processing takes two to three weeks after the Secretary of State receives your envelope, and your new plate arrives separately by mail. During that time, you can continue driving on your current plate as long as you have your renewal notice with you as proof that you've renewed.
Renewing in person at a Driver Services facility
In-person renewal happens at any Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility. Bring your renewal notice, a valid photo ID, and your current vehicle registration or proof of ownership. You'll pay the renewal fee plus the $10 service fee at the counter, and the office will process your renewal when ready.
Your new plate still arrives by mail in two to three weeks—you don't receive it at the facility. However, in-person renewal is useful if you need to change your address, report a lost or stolen plate, or if the online system rejected your renewal. Check the Secretary of State's website for facility hours and locations near you, as they vary by office and some facilities have limited hours on certain days.
Costs and what affects your renewal fee
The base renewal fee for a standard passenger plate in Illinois is $98 for two years. Specialty plates—such as environmental, collegiate, or organizational plates—may cost more; check the Secretary of State's website for the specific fee for your plate type. If you renew online, you pay only the base fee. If you renew by mail or in person, you pay the base fee plus a $10 service fee, bringing the total to $108 for a standard plate.
Your renewal fee does not change based on your vehicle's age, mileage, or condition. It also does not include emissions testing or safety inspections, which are separate requirements in some Illinois counties. If your vehicle is due for an emissions test, you must complete that test before you can renew your plate, either online or through any other method.
What happens if your plate expires before you renew
Driving on an expired plate is illegal in Illinois and can result in a traffic citation. If your renewal notice arrives and you miss the expiration date, renew as soon as possible using any of the three methods. You can still renew by mail or online even after the plate has expired; the Secretary of State will process it and send you a new plate.
If you're pulled over while your plate is expired, you'll need to show the officer proof that you've renewed—either a renewal confirmation from the online system or your mailed renewal notice. Having that proof can help, but it does not may provide you won't receive a citation. To avoid this situation, renew before the expiration date shown on your plate.
Renewing a specialty or personalized plate
Specialty plates (environmental, collegiate, military, organizational) and personalized plates renew the same way as standard plates, but the fee may differ. Check the Secretary of State's website or your renewal notice for the exact cost of your plate type. If you want to change from a specialty plate to a standard plate or vice versa, you cannot do that during renewal—you'll need to visit a Driver Services facility in person to request a different plate type.
Personalized plates renew at the same time as your registration. If you want to change your personalized plate number, you'll need to explore for a new one at a Driver Services facility, which involves a separate fee and a new plate number assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my plate if my vehicle registration is expired?
No. Your vehicle registration and plate renewal are linked—your registration must be current to renew your plate. If your registration has expired, you'll need to renew that first, either online or at a Driver Services facility. Once your registration is current, you can renew your plate.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew online at cyberdriveillinois.com without the notice number if you have your VIN and current plate number. If you prefer to renew by mail or in person, contact the Secretary of State's office to request a duplicate notice, or straightforward bring your vehicle registration and ID to a Driver Services facility to renew in person.
How long can I drive after my plate expires if I've already renewed?
You can drive on your current plate until the expiration date printed on it, even if you've already renewed online or by mail. Your new plate arrives by mail in two to three weeks. Once your new plate arrives, you must install it on your vehicle within 30 days.
Do I need an emissions test before I renew my plate?
Only if your vehicle is registered in a county that requires emissions testing. The Secretary of State's online renewal system will tell you if a test is required. If it is, you must pass the test before you can renew. Counties that require testing include Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, among others.
What if the online system says I cannot renew?
The system blocks online renewal if your vehicle has a safety violation on record or failed an emissions test. Renew by mail or in person instead. If you believe the violation is incorrect, contact the Secretary of State's office before renewing to resolve it, or renew in person and ask the facility staff to investigate the issue.