Illinois License Plates and Placards

Owning a vehicle in Illinois requires that you ensure that it is legal on the road.  Without properly registering your vehicle, you will not be able to legally drive it on the Illinois highways and roadways.

Your initial registration is considered to be your first-time registration and is done when you:

  • Buy a vehicle
  • Inherit a vehicle
  • Are gifted a vehicle
  • Recently moved to the state of Illinois
The cost for your registration with standard license plates will be:

  • $79 per year for passenger cars and trucks that weigh 8,000 lbs. or less,  this is the cost to renew your vehicle each year as well
Personalized (Vanity) Plates

Personalized plates, also known vanity plates are a great way to personalize your car.  Personalized plates do cost a bit more which is:

  • $94 in addition to the normal fee of $79 for the standard plates
Visit Personalized License Plates for more information

For more information on vanity plates visit:

  • 4DMV.com’s Vanity Plates section
Visit  Specialty Licence Plates, if you are interested in personalizing for more information.

Specialty Plates

If you happen to like supporting a specific cause or organization, then specialty license plates are perfect to equip your vehicle with.  For Illinois drivers that wish to support their favorite charity, purchasing specialty plates is the perfect means to support that charity.  Be prepared to pay an additional fee.

Just a few of the specialty plates that the state of Illinois offers are:

  • Organ Donor
  • Sports
  • Fighfighter
  • Environmental
  • Educational
  • Illinois Hospice
Disabled Driver License Plates

If you happen to be an Illinois driver with a disability, then you do have the advantage of being issued a special license plate or transferrable placard that allow you special privileges as a disabled driver.

The disabled license plates or placards allow disabled drivers to park in designated parking spaces.

For more information on disabled license plates or placards visit:

  • 4DMV.com’s Drivers With Disabilities section
The state also publishes some very useful guides such as:

  • Persons with Disabilities Parking Chart
  • Persons with Disabilities Certification for Plates or Parking Placard
  • Parking Program for Persons with Disabilites
Visit License Plates Pamphlets and forms for more information

Antique Vehicles

If you are an owner of an antique vehicle then you may be eligible for antique plates provided:

  • Your vehicle is at least 25 years old
  • Your vehicle has the same appearance as when it rolled off the show room floor
  • Your vehicle is an exact replica of the original model
  • Your vehicle must be safe to drive on the highways and roadways
To apply for antique plates, you must:

Complete a verification form that can be found at: Affirmation of Use and Condition of Antique Vehicle

  • Complete an Application for Title / Registration which can be obtained at your Secretary of State office or by dialing 800-252-8980.  You can also request the form via mail by sending your request to Secretary of State Non-Standard Plates Section
501 S. 2nd Street, Rom 541

Springfield, IL62756

The plates will be valid for five years .  The initial cost of the plates are $30.  Each year thereafter, the cost will be reduced by $6.

For antique owners that would like to personalized your license plates, you can do so for an additional cost.  Visit on personalizing your Antique Vehicle License Plates for more information.

There are restrictions that come along with antique plates which are as follows:

You may only drive your vehicle to and from:
  • Demonstrations
  • Exhibitions
  • To obtain repair work
For all owners of antique plates that have the original plates, provided the are in good condition, you may be able to register the plates.  A Secretary of State examiner will determine whether the plates can be registered.

For more information on Antique Vehicle License Plates, visit the state’s webpage which offers a helpful brochure.

Surrendering Your Plates

The state of Illinois does not require that you surrender your plates when you move to a new state.