What Illinois requires to renew your license plate
Illinois Secretary of State (ILSOS) requires you to renew your license plate every two years. You can renew by mail, online through the ILSOS website, or in person at a Secretary of State office. The method you choose depends on whether your vehicle has passed inspection, whether your registration is current, and whether you have any outstanding violations or fees.
You will need your current registration card, proof of a valid Illinois vehicle inspection (if required for your vehicle type), and payment for the renewal fee. The fee varies based on your vehicle type and weight. If you renew online or by mail, the process typically takes one to two weeks; in-person renewal is usually completed the same day.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois license plates renew every two years, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State office.
- You must have a current vehicle inspection on file before renewing, unless your vehicle is exempt from inspection requirements.
- Online renewal through the ILSOS website is the fastest method and requires only your registration card and payment information.
- If your registration has lapsed or you have unpaid violations, you must renew in person or contact ILSOS to resolve the issue first.
- Renewal fees depend on your vehicle's type and weight, and you can find the exact amount on the ILSOS website or your renewal notice.
Renewing online through the ILSOS website
The ILSOS online renewal system is the fastest route if your vehicle is current on inspections and you have no outstanding violations. Go to cyberdriveillinois.com, select "Renew Vehicle Registration," and enter your license plate number and ZIP code. The system will pull up your registration information and show you the renewal fee.
You will need a valid payment method—credit card, debit card, or electronic check. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number when ready. Your new registration card will arrive by mail within one to two weeks. You do not need to visit an office or mail anything in.
If the system tells you that your vehicle cannot renew online, it means one of the following: your inspection has expired, you have unpaid violations or fees, your registration has lapsed for more than a year, or your vehicle requires a title transfer. In any of these cases, you will need to renew by mail or in person.
Renewing by mail with ILSOS
Mail renewal works if your registration is current and your vehicle has a valid inspection. You should receive a renewal notice in the mail about 30 to 45 days before your registration expires. The notice includes a payment stub and instructions. Fill out the stub, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address shown on the notice.
Processing by mail takes longer than online renewal—typically two to three weeks from the time ILSOS receives your payment. Your new registration card will arrive separately. If you do not receive a renewal notice, you can request one by calling the ILSOS at 217-782-6900 or visiting a Secretary of State office.
Do not mail cash. If your renewal notice is lost or damaged, you can still renew by mail by requesting a new notice or by renewing online instead.
Renewing in person at a Secretary of State office
Visit a Secretary of State office if you need to renew the same day, if your registration has lapsed, or if the online system flagged an issue. Bring your current registration card, proof of a valid vehicle inspection, and a payment method. Most offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card.
Wait times vary by location and time of day. Offices in smaller towns typically have shorter waits than those in Chicago or other major cities. You can find your nearest office and current wait times on the ILSOS website. Your new registration card will be printed on the spot, though the official card by mail may take a few days to arrive.
If you have unpaid parking tickets, toll violations, or other outstanding fees, the office staff can tell you what must be resolved before renewal. Some issues can be handled at the same visit; others require payment to a different agency first.
Vehicle inspection requirements before renewal
Most passenger vehicles registered in Illinois must pass an emissions and safety inspection every two years. Your inspection must be current—not expired—before you can renew your registration. You can have your vehicle inspected at any state-licensed inspection station, which includes many independent repair shops, dealerships, and service centers.
The inspection costs between $20 and $30 depending on the station. Once your vehicle passes, the inspection station reports the result to ILSOS electronically. You do not need to bring a paper inspection certificate to renew; ILSOS will see the inspection on file when you renew online or in person.
Some vehicles are exempt from inspection: vehicles less than two years old, vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds, and certain other categories. If your vehicle is exempt, you can renew without an inspection. The ILSOS website lists all exemptions.
What to do if your registration has lapsed
If your registration expired more than a year ago, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a Secretary of State office or by mail with a completed process form. Bring your current registration card (or a copy if you do not have the original), proof of inspection, and payment.
If your registration lapsed because you did not renew on time, there is no penalty fee—you pay only the standard renewal fee. However, driving with an expired registration is illegal in Illinois, so renew as soon as you can. If you were stopped by police while expired, you may have received a ticket; renewing your registration does not dismiss the ticket, but it shows the officer that you have since become current.
If your vehicle was not inspected during the lapsed period, you will need a current inspection before you can renew. Schedule an inspection first, then renew once the inspection is on file.
Renewal fees and payment options
Illinois renewal fees vary by vehicle type and weight. A standard passenger car typically costs between $95 and $135 to renew, but trucks, SUVs, and vehicles over a certain weight pay more. The exact fee for your vehicle will appear when you start the renewal process online, on your renewal notice, or when you visit an office.
You can pay by credit card, debit card, electronic check, or cash (in person only). If you renew by mail, send a check or money order—do not send cash. If you pay by credit card or debit card online, there may be a small processing fee added to your total.
If you cannot afford the full fee at once, ILSOS does not offer payment plans. Your only option is to pay the full amount. Some Secretary of State offices have community resources or referral information if you are facing financial hardship; ask the staff when you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license plate before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to six months before your registration expires. Renewing early does not extend your renewal date—your new registration will still expire two years from your original expiration date. There is no advantage to renewing early unless you want to avoid a rush closer to the important date.
What happens if I drive with an expired registration?
Driving with an expired registration is a traffic violation in Illinois. You can be stopped and ticketed. The ticket is separate from the renewal process—renewing your registration will not dismiss a ticket you received while expired. However, renewing promptly shows good faith if you contest the ticket in court.
How long does it take to get my new registration card in the mail?
After you renew online or in person, your new registration card arrives by mail within one to two weeks. If you renew by mail, add an additional one to two weeks for ILSOS to process your payment before the card is mailed. If you need the card urgently, renew in person at a Secretary of State office to receive it the same day.
Do I need to return my old license plate when I renew?
No. Illinois does not require you to return your old plate when you renew. You keep the same plate number and use it for another two years. If your plate is damaged or lost, you can request a replacement at a Secretary of State office.
What if my vehicle inspection expired before I renewed my registration?
You cannot renew until your inspection is current. Schedule a new inspection at any licensed station, wait for the result to appear in the ILSOS system (usually within one business day), then renew. If your registration has already expired, you must renew in person or by mail rather than online.