Illinois sends you a renewal notice, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person
The Illinois Secretary of State mails you a renewal notice about two months before your sticker expires. That notice includes a barcode and instructions for three ways to renew: online at cyberdriveillinois.com, by mail using the form in the notice, or in person at a Secretary of State office. The fastest route is online — you pay the fee, print your receipt, and put the new sticker on your plate when ready. By mail takes about two weeks. In person is when ready if you bring the right documents.
You do not need to renew your actual license plate unless it is damaged, lost, or more than seven years old. You are only renewing the sticker — the small decal that shows your registration is current. The sticker costs vary by vehicle type and weight, but most passenger cars run between $100 and $150 per year.
If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can still renew online or call the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 to request one. Do not wait until your sticker expires — renewing late means you are driving with an expired registration, which is a violation and can result in a ticket.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois mails renewal notices about two months before expiration; check your mail or renew online at cyberdriveillinois.com if you did not receive one.
- Online renewal is fastest and lets you print your receipt when ready; by mail takes roughly two weeks.
- You only renew the sticker unless your plate is damaged, lost, or older than seven years.
- Renew before your sticker expires to avoid driving with an expired registration and risking a ticket.
- The renewal fee depends on your vehicle type and weight, typically $100 to $150 for passenger cars.
Renewing online through the Secretary of State website
Go to cyberdriveillinois.com and select "Renew a Vehicle Registration" from the menu. You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number or your Illinois driver's license number. The system will pull up your registration record and show you the renewal fee.
Pay by credit card or debit card. Once payment goes through, you can print your receipt when ready. That receipt is proof of renewal. Put your new sticker on the lower right corner of your rear license plate, covering the old sticker completely. You are legal to drive as soon as you display the new sticker — you do not have to wait for anything to arrive in the mail.
Keep your printed receipt in your vehicle or at home. If you are stopped by police before your physical sticker arrives, the receipt shows your registration is current. Some people photograph their receipt on their phone for the same reason.
Renewing by mail with the renewal notice
The renewal notice the Secretary of State sends you includes a return envelope and a form with your vehicle information already filled in. Write a check or money order for the renewal fee, sign the form, and mail it back in the envelope provided. Do not send cash.
Processing takes about two weeks from the time the Secretary of State receives your envelope. Your new sticker will arrive in a separate mailing. During that two-week window, you are still legal to drive on your current sticker — the renewal is in process. Once your new sticker arrives, explore it to your plate right away.
If you lost your renewal notice, you can request a duplicate by calling 217-782-6900 or visiting a Secretary of State office in person. Requesting a duplicate by phone takes a few days; in person is when ready.
Renewing in person at a Secretary of State office
Bring your vehicle registration card, proof of insurance, and a valid photo ID. If your vehicle title is in someone else's name, bring that person or bring a power of attorney document signed by them. The Secretary of State office will process your renewal on the spot and give you your new sticker to explore when ready.
Find your nearest office at cyberdriveillinois.com under "Locations." Hours vary by office, but most are open weekdays and some offer Saturday hours. Bring your vehicle if possible — staff may need to verify the VIN on your plate matches your registration record, though they can often do this by looking at your registration card instead.
In-person renewal is useful if your sticker has already expired and you need to be legal when ready, or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face. There is no fee for renewing in person beyond the standard renewal cost.
What happens if your sticker expires before you renew
Driving with an expired registration sticker is a violation in Illinois. Police can stop you and issue a ticket, which typically costs between $100 and $500 depending on how long the sticker has been expired and whether you have prior violations. The ticket is separate from any renewal fees you owe.
If you are stopped, show the officer your printed receipt from online renewal or your renewal notice if you mailed it in. That proof that you initiated renewal before the stop may reduce the officer's discretion in issuing a ticket, though it does not may provide one will not be issued. The safest approach is to renew before expiration.
If your sticker expired more than a few months ago and you have not renewed, renew when ready. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of being stopped, and the harder it becomes to argue the renewal was in progress.
Renewing when your vehicle information has changed
If you moved, changed your name, or changed your address since your last registration, update that information before renewing. You can update your address online at cyberdriveillinois.com under "Change of Address" or by mail using the form on the Secretary of State website. Do this before you renew your sticker so your renewal notice goes to your correct address next year.
If you added or removed a lienholder (such as a bank that financed your vehicle), or if your vehicle's title changed hands, you may need to update your title before renewing registration. Call 217-782-6900 to confirm what documents you need. In most cases, you can still renew your sticker while a title change is being processed, but the Secretary of State will tell you if that is not possible in your situation.
If you are unsure whether your registration record is current, call the Secretary of State or log into cyberdriveillinois.com and check your vehicle record before renewing. Catching errors before renewal is faster than fixing them after.
Renewing a vehicle that is financed or leased
If your vehicle is financed, the lender's name appears on your registration as a lienholder. You can still renew your sticker yourself online or by mail — the lender does not have to approve it. The lender's name stays on the registration until the loan is paid off.
If you are leasing, the leasing company typically handles registration renewal, and they will send you a new sticker or instructions on how to obtain one. Check your lease agreement or contact the leasing company directly to confirm who is responsible. Do not assume you need to renew it yourself.
If you paid off a loan and the lender's name is still on your registration, contact the lender and ask them to release the lien. Once released, the Secretary of State will update your record, and the lender's name will no longer appear on future renewals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my sticker if my registration is suspended?
No. If your registration is suspended — usually because of unpaid tickets, unpaid tolls, or insurance lapses — the Secretary of State will not process a renewal until the suspension is lifted. Call 217-782-6900 to find out why your registration is suspended and what you need to do to clear it. Once cleared, you can renew when ready.
What if I move out of state before my sticker expires?
If you move to another state, you will need to register your vehicle in that state and obtain a new sticker from that state's motor vehicle agency. You do not renew your Illinois sticker once you have moved. Notify the Illinois Secretary of State of your move so they do not send renewal notices to your old address.
Do I need to renew my sticker if I sell my vehicle?
No. Once you sell your vehicle, the new owner is responsible for renewing the registration and sticker. You should notify the Secretary of State that you sold the vehicle so you are not liable for violations or tickets issued to the new owner. You can do this online at cyberdriveillinois.com under "Report a Sale."
How do I know when my sticker expires?
Your sticker shows the month and year it expires in the bottom right corner. Your registration card also lists the expiration date. The Secretary of State mails a renewal notice about two months before that date. If you are unsure, check your registration card or log into cyberdriveillinois.com to view your vehicle record.
Can I renew multiple vehicles at once online?
Yes. Log into cyberdriveillinois.com and select each vehicle you want to renew. You can pay for all renewals in one transaction and print all receipts at once. If you are renewing by mail, send each renewal form in its own envelope with its own check or money order.