How to Complete a VIN Inspection in Illinois
A VIN verification in Illinois is necessary before an emissions test can take place. Thus, unlike various other states, you are not required to have a car inspected in order to register it in IL. The main purpose of a VIN inspection is to make sure that your vehicle meets the testing standards established by the Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) in Illinois.
During this procedure, an official agent will verify the VIN number of your car, making sure that the information attached to this vehicle identification number is not incorrect or falsified. If an inspector encounters any issues associated with the VIN, if the vehicle identification number is missing altogether, or if the car is deemed unsafe to perform an emissions test, the car will fail the IL VIN number validation. To learn more about this procedure, read the sections below.
When is an Illinois VIN verification required?
An Illinois VIN inspection is a required procedure that car owners must undergo before they move on to an emissions test. If your vehicle’s VIN is not properly verified, you will not be eligible for an emissions test. Consequently, you will be unable to renew your car registration.
The official IL SOS portal offers a tool that lets vehicle owners know whether their cars are due for an emissions test and, as a consequence, for a VIN number validation. In order to use that tool, you will need either the VIN or license plate number pertaining to your vehicle. As a general rule, you can verify a VIN number and test a vehicle up to four months prior to the expiration of your license plate and registration tags.
Where can I go to obtain a VIN inspection in Illinois?
There is no official DMV VIN verification form in Illinois. Thus, the procedure to verify a VIN number is generally part of an emissions test.
If you need help locating the car verification and testing facility that is nearest to your residence, you may use a locator tool that is available on the Illinois SOS website. Through this tool, you will be able to view wait times and get directions to the testing office. In general, these vehicle verification procedures occur from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., as well as Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most car inspection stations are closed on Sundays and on state or federal holidays.
The official SOS portal also allows vehicle owners to view wait times for vehicle VIN verification and emissions testing procedures. Overall, the longest wait times take place at the beginning and at the end of each month, as well as on Saturdays.
What to Bring to a VIN Number Verification in Illinois
In Illinois, you will know that it is time to undergo a VIN number validation whenever you receive a test notice in the mail. If you have not yet received a registration renewal notice in the mail, then you do not need to get a vehicle inspection yet. On the other hand, if you do receive this notice in the mail, make sure to undergo a vehicle verification promptly and bring the notice with you to the inspection.
What to Do After Completing a VIN Inspection in Illinois
If your vehicle passes the VIN inspection, you will be able to move forward and undergo an emissions test. Then, after you pass the emissions test, you will be able to renew your car registration in Illinois. However, if the new vehicle inspection results in a rejection, you will not be eligible for an emissions test, which may consequently delay your registration renewal. Furthermore, failing to renew an IL car registration before its expiration date can result in unwanted fees and fines from law enforcement officers.
If your car fails a VIN verification and an emissions test, it is important to identify what caused these results. In most cases, you will be able to repair the problems pointed out during these tests, and the inspection can be rescheduled. In Illinois, a vehicle’s VIN is rejected when the car is not able to complete the emissions test. In addition, one reason for a car’s rejection may be that it has a missing VIN. In such cases, an inspector cannot confirm whether he or she is indeed testing the right vehicle, and the car will be automatically rejected.
The process of testing a vehicle can vary depending on why it was rejected during a state car inspection. For example, you may not have to take any action, and simply bring back proof of the VIN number. Conversely, you may have to make certain repairs to the vehicle. In any case, a vehicle’s VIN will remain rejected until the particular issue is addressed and/or fixed.