How to Renew Your Car Registration in Illinois
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Managing your vehicle's legal requirements is a key part of ownership. Among these legal requirements is your annual Illinois car registration renewal.
Staying current with your Illinois car registration helps you comply with state law and avoid potential fines. This guide breaks down the renewal methods, required documents, and fees to make the process simple.
When Should You Renew Your Illinois Vehicle Registration?
Illinois requires annual vehicle registration renewals. The Secretary of State (SOS) now primarily sends electronic renewal notices instead of physical mail. To avoid missing the expiration date of your registration, you can sign up for email reminders on the SOS website.
Your renewal notice should arrive 45 days before expiration. It's important to act on it quickly to avoid tickets and fines for expired registration stickers. The SOS applies a $20 late fee for registrations renewed 30 days or more after your registration expires. You can also face a fine for driving with an expired sticker.
Sidebar: An emission test may be a prerequisite for renewal, typically for vehicles in the Chicago and Metro-East St. Louis areas. Your notice will specify if a test is needed, and if you cannot complete your license plate renewal without a valid emissions inspection certificate.
Illinois Car Registration Renewal Options
Illinois offers three convenient ways to handle your IL registration renewal: online, by mail, or in person. Each method is straightforward but has slightly different requirements.
How To Renew Online Through the Illinois SOS
Renewing online is the fastest method. You'll need the Registration ID and PIN from your renewal notice. If you don't have the notice or PIN, you can call the Public Inquiry Division for assistance. Representatives may ask for your license plate number and the last four digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
On the Illinois SOS website, enter your Registration ID and PIN, verify your vehicle details (and complete an Illinois address update if necessary), confirm your Illinois car insurance, and pay the fee with a credit card or e-check. Be sure to print your receipt, which acts as temporary proof of renewal until your new renewal sticker arrives by mail in 5-10 business days.
How To Renew by Mail
To handle your Illinois vehicle registration renewal by mail, send your payment well before the expiration date to avoid late fees. Fill out your Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice. Your check or money order should be made payable to the Illinois Secretary of State. You should also include your emissions report (if required). Mail everything to the address on the form. This method requires you to have the original notice, and you should expect to wait around 30 days for your new sticker and registration card.
How To Renew In Person at an SOS Office
To get your registration sticker immediately, visit any Secretary of State facility to complete your car registration renewal in IL. This is the best option if you're short on time or prefer in-person service.
When you go, be sure to bring:
- Your vehicle registration renewal notice
- Your driver’s license or state ID.
- Proof of a valid emissions test, if required.
- An accepted form of payment.
You will receive your new registration stickers on the spot.
While in-person renewals are beneficial for quick turnarounds, it’s important to note that most SOS offices require appointments. You can check available dates and appointment times on the official Illinois DMV website.
Required Documents for Renewal
For any Illinois automobile registration renewal method, you’ll likely need several documents. Those pertinent items include:
- Renewal Notice: Contains your Registration ID and PIN for online renewal.
- License Plate Number: Needed for identification.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): The last four digits are used for verification. You can find the VIN on your current registration card or Illinois car title.
- Proof of Insurance: You must have coverage that meets Illinois car insurance requirements.
- Emissions Test Certificate: Required only for certain vehicles in specific areas.
Illinois Registration Renewal Fees and Accepted Payments
Registration renewal costs in Illinois vary. The standard fee for passenger cars was $151, but you should always check your renewal notice for the exact amount you owe. There may also be a processing fee for some transactions.
- Standard Passenger Vehicle: $151
- Electric Vehicles: $251
- Motorcycles: $41
- Late Fee: $20
Personalized and vanity Illinois license plates will have additional fees. The accepted payment methods depend on how you renew:
- Online: Credit/debit cards, e-check.
- Mail: Check, money order.
- In-Person: Cash, check, credit/debit cards.
Compare Car Insurance Rates Before You Renew
Before finalizing your renewal, take a moment to review your auto insurance policy. It's a required and significant expense, and since rates change constantly based on your profile and zip code, the policy you have might no longer be the best deal. Comparing custom insurance options is the best way to find the right coverage at the right price. Use EverQuote’s comparison tool. It’s free, takes only a few minutes, and can lead to significant savings. Don't miss the chance to shop around before completing your Illinois car registration renewal.
FAQs
How do I renew my car registration in Illinois?
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Premiums are sourced from over 30,000 zip codes across 200 insurance companies. We estimate premiums based on public filings for policies seeking 50/100 in liability with $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage. Estimated rates are based on a 35-year-old single female with a good credit score and no history of accidents or violations driving a 2023 Toyota RAV4 LE. We partner with Quadrant Information Services to source our data and assume no unique benefits or discounts are applied for these rates (unless otherwise stated). Your own rates may be different.