Illinois License Plate Renewal Basics

Illinois sends renewal notices by mail about 30 days before your plates expire. The notice includes your renewal fee amount, which depends on your vehicle type and weight. You can renew online through the Secretary of State website, by mail using the notice, or in person at a Driver Services facility.

Online renewal is the fastest option — you pay by credit or debit card and receive confirmation when ready. By mail, you send the notice with a check or money order to the address printed on it. In-person renewal at a facility takes about 15 minutes if you bring the right documents.

Your plates expire on the date printed on them, usually on the last day of a month. Driving on expired plates is illegal in Illinois and can result in a traffic ticket. If your renewal notice does not arrive, you can still renew without it by providing your vehicle identification number (VIN) and license plate number.

Key Takeaways

  • Illinois mails renewal notices about 30 days before expiration, but you can renew online, by mail, or in person without waiting for the notice.
  • Online renewal through the Secretary of State website is the fastest method and gives you when ready confirmation of payment.
  • Your renewal fee varies by vehicle type and weight, and the amount is listed on your renewal notice or the Secretary of State website.
  • You must renew before the expiration date on your plates to avoid a traffic ticket for expired registration.
  • If you move or change your address, update it with the Secretary of State before or during renewal to receive future notices at the correct location.

Renewing Online Through the Secretary of State

The Illinois Secretary of State website allows you to renew plates without leaving home. Go to cyberdriveillinois.com, select "Vehicle Services," then "Renew Registration." You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current license plate number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number or Federal Employer Identification Number if the vehicle is registered to a business.

The system will display your renewal fee based on your vehicle's information. You can pay by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. After payment is processed, you receive a confirmation number and can print a temporary registration document when ready. Your new plates arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you encounter an error during the process — such as a message that your vehicle cannot be found — write down the error code and call the Secretary of State's automated phone line at 217-782-6900 or visit a Driver Services facility in person.

Renewing by Mail or at a Driver Services Facility

If you received a renewal notice in the mail, you can renew by sending it back with payment. Write a check or money order for the amount shown on the notice, sign the back of the notice, and mail it to the address printed on the front. Include your current address if it has changed since your last renewal. Mail renewal typically takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the Secretary of State receives your payment.

To renew in person, visit any Illinois Driver Services facility with your renewal notice, vehicle title or registration card, and a valid form of identification. Bring a check, money order, or debit/credit card for payment. You do not need an appointment. Facilities are open Monday through Friday, with some locations offering Saturday hours. Your new plates are mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the transaction.

If you lost your renewal notice, bring your vehicle identification number (VIN), current license plate number, and proof of vehicle ownership (title or registration card) to a Driver Services facility. Staff can look up your renewal fee and process the transaction on the spot.

What Happens If Your Plates Expire

Driving with expired license plates is a traffic violation in Illinois. A police officer can stop you and issue a ticket, which carries a fine. The amount varies, but a typical citation for expired registration ranges from $100 to $500 depending on how long the plates have been expired and whether you have prior violations.

If you are stopped with expired plates, you can show the officer your online renewal confirmation number or a receipt from an in-person or mail renewal as proof that you have renewed. This does not may provide the officer will not issue a ticket, but it may reduce the fine or result in a warning. If you receive a ticket, you can contest it in traffic court.

If your plates expire and you do not renew within a certain period, your vehicle registration is suspended. A suspended registration means you cannot legally drive the vehicle. To restore it, you must renew your plates and may need to pay a reinstatement fee in addition to the renewal fee. Contact the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 to learn about your registration has been suspended.

Changing Your Address During Renewal

If you have moved since your last renewal, update your address with the Secretary of State before or during the renewal process. This ensures future renewal notices arrive at your correct location. When renewing online, the system will ask you to confirm your address. If your address has changed, select the option to update it.

When renewing by mail, write your new address clearly on the renewal notice before sending it in. When renewing in person, bring a document showing your new address — such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement — and staff will update your record. You do not need a new title or registration card when you change your address; the update is recorded in the Secretary of State's system.

If you move and do not update your address, renewal notices will be sent to your old address and you may miss the important date. You can still renew using your VIN and license plate number online or by calling the Secretary of State, but updating your address prevents future confusion.

Special Situations: Vanity Plates, Disabled Plates, and Transfers

If you have a vanity plate (custom letters and numbers), the renewal process is the same, but your custom plate number is preserved during renewal. You do not need to reorder it. If you have a disabled person license plate or placard, renew your registration through the same channels — online, by mail, or in person — and your disabled plate designation carries over to your new plates.

If you are transferring your plates to a different vehicle, you cannot do this online. You must visit a Driver Services facility with your current registration, the title of the new vehicle, and proof of ownership. Staff will process the transfer and issue new plates for the new vehicle. The fee for a transfer is less than a full renewal and depends on how much time remains on your current registration.

If you are renewing a vehicle registered to a business, the process is the same, but you will need the Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead of a Social Security number when renewing online. If the business ownership has changed, you may need to visit a facility in person with updated business documents.

Renewal Fees and What Affects the Cost

Illinois renewal fees vary based on your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is listed on your vehicle's door jamb or in your owner's manual. Passenger cars typically pay one fee, while trucks and vehicles over a certain weight pay higher fees. Motorcycles, trailers, and recreational vehicles have different fee structures.

The renewal fee covers registration for one year. Some vehicles may have additional fees — for example, if you register a vehicle that has been out of service or if you are restoring a suspended registration. The exact amount is shown on your renewal notice or when you start the online renewal process.

Illinois does not charge separate fees for vanity plates during renewal, though there is an initial fee when you first order one. Disabled person plates do not cost extra. If you are unsure about your fee, call the Secretary of State at 217-782-6900 or visit the website to look up your vehicle's renewal cost before you renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my plates if they are not expiring for several months?

Yes. Illinois allows you to renew your plates up to six months before they expire. This is useful if you want to avoid the rush near the expiration date or if you are planning to travel and want to may support your registration is current.

What if I never received my renewal notice in the mail?

You do not need the notice to renew. Go online to cyberdriveillinois.com with your VIN and license plate number, call 217-782-6900, or visit a Driver Services facility in person with your vehicle identification number and proof of ownership. The Secretary of State can look up your renewal fee and process the transaction.

How long do new plates take to arrive after I renew?

New plates arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after you renew online or in person. Mail renewals take longer — typically 2 to 3 weeks from the time the Secretary of State receives your payment. You can drive legally on your old plates until the new ones arrive.

What do I do if I get a ticket for expired plates but I already renewed?

Show the officer your online renewal confirmation number or a receipt from your renewal transaction. This proves you have renewed. You can also contest the ticket in traffic court by bringing proof of renewal. If the ticket was issued before your renewal date, you may still owe the fine, but you can explain the situation to the judge.

Do I need to renew my plates if I sell my vehicle?

No. When you sell your vehicle, the new owner must register it in their name. You should notify the Secretary of State that you no longer own the vehicle to avoid receiving renewal notices. You can do this online or by mail using a form available on the Secretary of State website.