How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Illinois

1. By Mail

Some vehicle owners may prefer to renew their auto registrations through the mail. Certain states will allow their residents to apply by mail, but vehicle owners may need to meet certain eligibility requirements to submit their request. Additionally, the ways in which you may pay your renewal fee are limited to check or money order, and you may experience processing delays due to the time it takes the postal service to deliver your application. Furthermore, you may risk losing your application or registration tags in the mail, adding to the wait time.

2. In Person at a DMV Office

Renewing your vehicle registration in person at a DMV office is an option if you cannot or prefer not to apply by mail or online. Typically, the DMV will issue your new registration credentials after receiving payment. However, certain states may require you to wait to receive your renewed registration documents in the mail. While visiting a DMV office in person may provide you with more personalized attention, it often involves long waits. Additionally, the office hours of many DMV locations can interfere with your work schedule.

Residents must request an Illinois car registration renewal before their credentials expire. In general, operating a car that has an expired vehicle registration will result in penalties and fines from law enforcement. On the other hand, after a renewal procedure has been requested, renewed registration documents and decals will be sent to your mailing address on file and thus extend your privileges to operate the car in question.

Overall, applicants can request an IL DMV registration renewal online, by mail, in person or over the phone. Because the eligibility requirements for each type of renewal may vary slightly, it is important to understand which steps apply for each option. To learn more about how to renew a car registration in Illinois, continue reading the sections below.

Requirements for Car Registration Renewal in Illinois

As a general rule, you must be eligible to complete a DMV car registration renewal in Illinois. These requirements include that you are an IL resident and have all the necessary information and documentation to process the request.

Moreover, you may need to pass an emissions test before you can renew your license plates. In any case, most vehicle owners will receive a notice in the mail that details every requirement for this procedure.

What do you need to renew your car registration in Illinois?

Overall, you will need to provide certain information and documentation when you request a motor vehicle registration renewal, regardless of the method you opt to use. For instance, you must have the following:

Illinois Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

An Illinois vehicle registration renewal notice may be sent to you prior to the expiration date of your credential. This notice is sent out as a courtesy reminder, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you stay up to date with your registration. This renewal notice is sent to most motorists and includes information such as your Registration ID and PIN, but is not necessary for you to renew a car registration in IL.

Illinois Car Registration Renewal Notice Lost or Not Received

Despite the fact that this notice can be beneficial to remind you about the upcoming expiration date, this document is not necessary for completing a DMV vehicle registration renewal in Illinois. Thus, if you have lost a car registration renewal form or did not receive it at all, you can still request a renewal without issue.

While this notice includes important details such as your Registration ID and PIN, that same information can be found on your current registration card or by calling the Public Inquiry Division at (800) 252-8980.

Illinois Car Registration Renewal Options

Knowing where to renew car registration is an important first step in completing the renewal process. In general, the state offers four convenient options for renewing: online, by mail, in person and over the phone.

How to Renew Your Car Registration Online

An online DMV registration renewal in Illinois can only take place if you meet certain requirements. For example, you are not eligible to renew online if:

  • Your vehicle information is incorrect or not up-to-date.
  • Your renewal sticker needs to be sent to an out of state address.
  • You want to switch license plates types.
  • You want to change the spacing of your license plates.

If you are eligible for an online renewal and wish to renew your car registration online, you must follow four simple steps. These steps include:

  1. Provide your Registration ID and PIN.
  2. Follow the directions provided on the screen and ensure that all information is correct.
  3. Pay for the renewal fees with a credit or debit card.
  4. Print your receipt.

Once you have completed these motor vehicle registration renewal steps, your plate or sticker will be issued and delivered to your mailing address on file. You can expect to receive your new registration sticker in approximately five to 10 business days. If you are receiving new license plates, you will receive a temporary renewal sticker until your new plates are delivered.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Mail

If you want to know how to renew a car registration by mail, you must note that the process is quite simple. To do so, you must sign the renewal notice that you have received and send it to the address listed on the notice. You must also include a check for the appropriate renewal fee.

If you do not have your renewal notice but wish to renew your car registration by mail, you can submit the check along with a letter that states your name and address, license plate number and vehicle information (VIN, make, model and year). Your request must be mailed to:

Illinois Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
501 S. 2nd Street, Room 055
Springfield, IL 62756

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Person

Another option for renewing an expired vehicle registration is to visit your nearest Illinois Secretary of State facility. In order to request a renewal, you must provide your notice or current registration document, as well as a payment method for the fee. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, check and credit cards.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Phone

Certain car owners may renew an Illinois vehicle registration over the phone. By calling (866) 545-9609, you may check your DMV registration renewal status and follow the renewal prompts. You will be asked to provide information such as your Registration ID and PIN, and you will also need to pay the fee with a debit or credit card.

Military & Out of State Vehicle Registration Renewal in Illinois

If you need to renew expired car registration but you are currently out of state for any reason, including being on active duty with the U.S military, you can still get your license plates renewed on time. To do so, request the renewal through the online, mail-in or phone methods.

Illinois Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees

You need to understand the IL car registration renewal cost before you can successfully file this request in Illinois. These fees include:

  • Standard renewal sticker: $101
  • Renewal sticker for personalized plates: $108
  • Renewal sticker for a vanity plate: $114
Last updated on Thursday, April 22 2021.

Sources

  1. Registration Renewal and ID Cards from CyberDriveIllinois.com
  2. Title and Registration FAQ from CyberDriveIllinois.com