How to Renew Your Illinois License Plate

Illinois license plates renew every two years, and you can do it online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State facility

Your Illinois license plate expires on the date printed on your registration card, usually two years from when you last renewed. The Secretary of State sends a renewal notice to your address about 30 days before that date. You do not have to wait for the notice to arrive—you can renew as soon as 90 days before expiration. The fastest route is online through the Secretary of State's website, which takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing by mail or in person because there is no processing fee.

You will need your current registration card, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and a valid payment method. If your address has changed since your last renewal, update it before you renew—the Secretary of State will mail your new registration card and plate sticker to your current address. If you do not receive your renewal notice, you can still renew online or by mail using the information on your current registration card.

Key Takeaways

Illinois license plates renew every two years, and you can renew online at cyberdriveillinois.com starting 90 days before expiration.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes, costs less than mail or in-person renewal, and you receive your new sticker by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
You will need your current registration card, VIN, and a valid payment method—credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
If you renew after your plate expires, you are driving illegally and risk a ticket; renew before the expiration date on your card.
Mail and in-person renewal take longer and cost more, but work if you do not have internet access or prefer not to renew online.

Renewing online through the Secretary of State website

Go to cyberdriveillinois.com and select "Renew Vehicle Registration" from the online services menu. You will enter your license plate number, VIN, and the last four digits of your Social Security number or Federal Employer Identification Number. The system will pull up your registration record and show you the renewal fee, which varies by vehicle type and weight. For most passenger cars, the fee is between $98 and $148 for a two-year renewal.

After you review the fee and confirm your address, you pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. The Secretary of State will email you a confirmation number when ready. Your new registration card and plate sticker will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your confirmation number as proof of renewal if you are stopped by police before the sticker arrives, though you should not drive with an expired plate.

If the system cannot find your record or you get an error message, write down the error code and call the Secretary of State's vehicle services line at 217-782-6900. Do not try to renew again—multiple attempts can lock your account temporarily.

Renewing by mail or in person

If you received a renewal notice in the mail, you can send it back with a check or money order and your current registration card. Mail your payment to the address printed on the notice. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, so mail renewal should happen at least 4 weeks before your plate expires.

To renew in person, visit any Secretary of State facility with your current registration card, proof of insurance, and a valid ID. Bring a check or money order—not all facilities accept card payments. In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes and you receive your new sticker when ready, though your registration card will still arrive by mail. Find the nearest facility and its hours at cyberdriveillinois.com under "Office Locations."

What happens if your plate expires before you renew

Driving with an expired license plate is illegal in Illinois. Police can stop you and issue a ticket, which carries a fine of $100 to $500 depending on how long the plate has been expired. Your vehicle can also be impounded if the plate is more than 30 days past expiration. If you are stopped, you can show the officer your confirmation number from online renewal or your renewal notice from the mail as proof that you have started the process, but this does not prevent a ticket.

If your plate has already expired and you have not renewed, renew when ready online or visit a Secretary of State facility in person. Do not drive the vehicle except directly to the facility or to a police station to show proof of renewal. If you cannot renew before you need to drive, ask someone else to drive the vehicle or use another form of transportation.

Renewing a plate for a vehicle you no longer own

If you sold or traded in your vehicle, do not renew the plate. Instead, you must surrender the plate to the Secretary of State or return it to your insurance company. If you keep the plate and renew it, you remain responsible for any violations or tickets issued to that plate, even though you no longer own the vehicle.

To surrender a plate, mail it to the Secretary of State with a letter stating that you no longer own the vehicle and the date you sold or traded it. Include your name, address, and the plate number. You can also surrender it in person at any Secretary of State facility. If you have already renewed by mistake, call 217-782-6900 to cancel the renewal and request a refund.

Renewing a plate after a lapse in registration

If your plate has been expired for more than 30 days, you cannot renew it online. You must renew in person at a Secretary of State facility and bring your current registration card, proof of insurance, and a valid ID. The facility will check whether any violations or unpaid tickets are attached to the plate. If there are, you must resolve them before the plate can be renewed.

If you cannot find your registration card, bring your VIN and proof of ownership (title, bill of sale, or loan documents). The Secretary of State can look up your record using the VIN. Bring proof of current insurance no matter what—Illinois law requires active insurance before a plate can be renewed, and the Secretary of State verifies this through the Insurance Information Exchange.

Understanding the renewal fee and what it covers

The renewal fee depends on your vehicle's type and weight. Passenger cars typically pay between $98 and $148 for two years. Trucks, vans, and vehicles over a certain weight pay higher fees. Vehicles registered as commercial or for-hire pay different rates. The Secretary of State's website shows the exact fee for your vehicle before you pay.

The renewal fee covers the cost of your new registration card and plate sticker, the administrative processing, and the state's vehicle registration system. It does not cover your vehicle inspection, emissions test, or insurance. If your vehicle is due for an inspection or emissions test, you must complete that separately before or after you renew your plate—the Secretary of State does not check this during online renewal, but you are required by law to have a current inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my plate if my vehicle inspection is expired?

You can renew your plate online or by mail even if your inspection is expired, but you are breaking the law by driving with an expired inspection. Schedule an inspection before you renew, or renew your plate and then get the inspection done. You cannot legally drive the vehicle until both are current.

What if I moved and did not update my address before renewing?

Your new registration card and sticker will be mailed to the old address on file. Call the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 with your new address and they can reissue the documents to your current location. This adds 1 to 2 weeks to the process, so update your address as soon as you move.

Do I need to renew my plate if I only drive the vehicle occasionally?

Yes. If the plate is registered to you, it must be renewed every two years regardless of how often you drive. If you do not plan to drive the vehicle, you can surrender the plate and cancel the registration instead of renewing it.

Can someone else renew my plate for me?

Online renewal requires your registration card and VIN, so anyone with access to those can renew for you. For in-person renewal, the person renewing must bring your registration card, proof of insurance, and a valid ID—they do not need a power of attorney or written permission.

What if the Secretary of State's website is down when I try to renew?

Renew by mail or in person instead. Mail renewal takes longer, so do this at least 4 weeks before your plate expires. If the website is down close to your expiration date, visit a Secretary of State facility in person to avoid driving with an expired plate.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.