How to Register a Car in Illinois

You can register your car in Illinois at your local Secretary of State facility. Bring your Application for Vehicle Transaction and a form of payment with you!
Written by Alita Dark
Reviewed by Amy Bobinger
To register your vehicle in Illinois, you’ll need to visit the nearest Secretary of State facility. You have 30 days to do so and you will need valid
Illinois car insurance
to complete the registration.
If you’ve just moved, there’s a good chance you have a lot of things to take care of: unpacking, settling into a new job, changing the address on your credit cards—the list might seem neverending. 
Luckily,
car insurance
comparison app
Jerry
is here to simplify one thing on that list—registering your vehicle in your new state! Let's explore some FAQs about the process.

How to register a car in Illinois 

To register your car in Illinois, you’ll need a few documents. You’ll also need to pay a fee of $151 for the registration and the
license plate
Find out if you can reduce your monthly car payments in minutes
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Check your rate
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

If you just moved to Illinois

No need to panic—you have 30 days after you move to update your title and registration, and you have 90 days to update your license. You’ll want to go to the closest
Secretary of State facility
available, as they will be the ones handling your application. If you’d rather get the necessary documents online, you may do so through the
Electronic Registration and Title
(ERT) service. 
The ERT will provide you with the
Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190)
, which you can download and complete from the comfort of your home. After that, however, you will either need to visit a facility in person or mail your documentation to this address: 
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd. St., Room 014
Springfield, IL 62756 
Of course, you will need a few more documents included with your application. Here is what you should have prepared: 
  • Proof of name and address
  • Exact mileage of the vehicle (from the odometer)
  • Description of the vehicle (make/model, vehicle identification number [VIN], new or used)
  • Name and address of lienholder(s) (if applicable)
  • Original signature of the owner
If your vehicle is leased, you will also need:
  • The purchase agreement
  • Out-of-state registration and title
  • Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin 
  • Bill of Sale (with lessor’s name and address)
Finally, don’t forget the fee! Since you’ve just moved, you’ll need to pay for both the title and registration. For a typical vehicle, this will be $306, or $155 for the title and $151 for the plates/registration. The registration fee for motorcycles is lower at $41. If you’re adding on products like a vanity plate or a duplicate title, the fee will cost more. 
When sending your application by mail, the fee can be paid via check or money order. You may use a debit card in person. 
Want to know the status of your application? Make a
title and registration status registry inquiry
online—all you’ll need is your VIN!  
Assuming you’ve applied in person and don’t want personalized or vanity plates, you’ll receive your new title, registration, and plates right at the Secretary of State’s office. Since custom plates take a little longer to process, you will be issued a Temporary Registration Permit to use until the official plate is ready. If you’ve applied by mail, you should receive everything in the mail within 90 business days.  

If you just bought a car

If you buy a new car from an Illinois dealer, they will be responsible for sending in the vehicle’s title and registration application. However, if you bought the car from out of state, you will need to fill out a
tax form
. Which one depends on from whom you purchased the car: 
  • If purchased from an individual: Tax Form RUT-50
  • If purchased from a dealer: Tax Form RUT-25

How much insurance coverage do you need in Illinois? 

By law, Illinois residents are required to have
liability car insurance
on their vehicles. Here are the state-mandated minimums you must have: 
  • $25,000 - injury or death of one person in an accident
  • $50,000 - injury or death of more than one person in an accident
  • $20,000 - damage to property of another person
If your policy does not cover these amounts, you’ll want to upgrade it before you register your vehicle. While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to look into other helpful coverages like
collision
or
comprehensive insurance

How to renew your Illinois vehicle registration 

The good news is renewing your Illinois registration is much easier than registering for the first time. For most methods, all you’ll need is your Registration ID and PIN. If you do not have or cannot find this information, call the Public Inquiry Division (800-252-8980). 
You have the greatest amount of options if you don’t need to change any information about yourself, your car, or your address. 
With no changes, you may renew your registration via: 
  • Online
    license plate renewal
    : Payment is allowed by check or credit card. You’ll need your Registration ID and PIN.  
  • Phone (866-545-9609): Payment is allowed by credit card. You’ll need your Registration ID and PIN. 
  • Mail: Payment is allowed by check. You’ll need your Registration ID, PIN, and the bottom portion of the renewal notice. Allow 30 days for receipt of sticker.
  • Personal visit: Payment is allowed by check, cash, traveler’s check, or credit card. You’ll need your renewal notice. You may visit a Secretary of State facility, participating bank, or currency exchange.
Please note that there will be an extra processing fee on any payment made with a credit card. 
If you need to make updates to your license or vehicle information, check the
Registration Renewal and ID cards
page for instructions on your specific situation. You can also sign up for an
email renewal notice
to get your reminder electronically instead of by mail. 
Your renewal notice will be sent out 60 days before your registration expires. While it’s a good idea to get this taken care of as soon as you receive your notice, you have until the end of the month indicated on your sticker to get it sorted. 
Note: The Illinois Secretary of State office was unable to procure personalized stickers for 2023, so you will have to rely on your renewal notice for your actual date of expiration.

How to replace a lost registration sticker or license plate

Should you lose your sticker or your license plate, you may reapply online with your Registration ID and PIN. You can also mail in the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190) to the Secretary of State’s Vehicle Services Department listed previously. If you have your license number, you can visit a Secretary of State facility in person. 

How to save on auto insurance in Illinois 

Getting your car registered in your new state can be overwhelming at the best of times, especially if your current insurance policy doesn’t meet state requirements. Don’t just add comparison shopping for quality rates to your to-do list—let
Jerry
handle it for you! 
Jerry is a
trustworthy insurance comparison app
that will compare car insurance rates for you and curate the best of the best. With over 55 providers to pull from, Jerry will ensure your quotes are competitive. 
It only takes a few moments to fill out some simple questions, then you’re well on your way to savings. In fact, the average user will save $800+ a year on their insurance! 
“This was so easy! Signing up with
Jerry
saved me $499 on my semi-annual insurance. As if it was nothing!” —Kache P.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

FAQs

To register a vehicle in Illinois, you’ll need an Application Vehicle Transaction (VSD 190) form, payment for the fee, and other documents proving your name and address. You’ll also need the proper amount of liability insurance.
It will cost $306 for a standard vehicle. This includes $155 in title fees and $151 in registration fees.
For any truck below 8,000 pounds, the fees are the same as for a passenger vehicle. Truck owners can expect to pay $306. For trucks 8,001 to 10,000 pounds, the first-time issuance will cost $373 ($155 title fee, $218 registration fee). The annual renewal cost will be $218.
Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?
Find out if Jerry can reduce your payments by an average of $150/month
Check your rate!

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings