What you need to do to renew in Illinois

Illinois vehicle registration renews every two years on your birthday month. You can renew online through the Illinois Secretary of State website, by mail, or in person at a local Secretary of State office. The online route is fastest — you can complete it in minutes if you have your current registration card and a valid payment method. If you miss the renewal important date, you can still renew, but you may face a late fee.

The state sends a renewal notice to the address on file about 30 days before your registration expires. Check your mail for this notice; it contains information specific to your vehicle and account. If you do not receive one, you can still renew using your vehicle identification number (VIN) and current registration number.

Key Takeaways

  • Illinois registration renews every two years during your birthday month, and you can renew online, by mail, or at a Secretary of State office.
  • Online renewal through the Illinois Secretary of State website is the fastest option and requires your registration card and a payment method.
  • The state mails a renewal notice about 30 days before expiration; if you do not receive one, you can renew using your VIN and registration number.
  • Late fees explore if you renew after your registration expires, and driving with an expired registration can result in a traffic citation.

Renewing online through the Secretary of State

The online renewal portal at cyberdriveillinois.com is open 24 hours and requires no appointment. Go to the vehicle services section, select "Renew Registration," and enter your VIN and registration number. The system will pull up your vehicle information and show the renewal fee for your vehicle type and weight.

You will need a valid credit card, debit card, or electronic check to pay. The fee varies depending on your vehicle's weight and type — a standard passenger car costs less than a truck or SUV. Once you complete payment, you can print a temporary registration receipt when ready. Your new registration card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

If the online system cannot find your vehicle, it may mean your registration has been suspended or there is a hold on your account. In that case, you will need to contact a Secretary of State office or call their customer service line to resolve the issue before you can renew online.

Renewing by mail

Use the renewal notice the state mailed to you. Fill out the form, include the required fee (check or money order), and mail it to the address printed on the notice. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the Secretary of State receives it, so send it well before your expiration date if you want your new card before then.

If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can request one by calling the Secretary of State or visiting an office in person. Do not send cash through the mail. Make checks or money orders payable to the "Secretary of State."

Renewing in person at a Secretary of State office

You can walk in to any Secretary of State office during business hours with your current registration card and a valid form of payment. Bring your driver's license or state ID as well. Office wait times vary by location and time of day; busier offices may have longer lines during lunch hours and late afternoon.

You will receive your new registration card on the spot or within a few days, depending on the office. If you have questions about your account or if there is a hold on your registration, staff can look into it when ready rather than waiting for a response by mail.

What happens if you renew late

If your registration expires before you renew, Illinois charges a late fee in addition to the standard renewal fee. The amount of the late fee depends on how long your registration has been expired. Driving with an expired registration is a traffic violation and can result in a citation and fine.

You can still renew after the expiration date using any of the three methods above. Online renewal will calculate the late fee automatically. If you renew by mail or in person, the office or system will add the late fee to your total cost.

If your registration has been suspended or revoked

A registration can be suspended for unpaid parking tickets, unpaid traffic fines, or failure to maintain insurance. You will not be able to renew online if there is a suspension or hold on your account. The system will direct you to contact the Secretary of State office.

Call the customer service line or visit an office to find out why your registration is suspended and what you need to do to clear it. You may need to pay outstanding fines or provide proof of insurance. Once the hold is removed, you can renew through any method.

Keeping your registration current between renewals

Update your address with the Secretary of State if you move. You can do this online, by mail, or in person. If the state mails your renewal notice to an old address, you may miss it and not realize your registration is about to expire.

If you sell your vehicle, you do not need to renew that registration. If you buy a used vehicle, you will need to register it in your name; the registration does not transfer from the previous owner. The new registration will be on its own renewal schedule based on your birthday month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration before the renewal notice arrives?

Yes. You do not have to wait for the notice. You can renew online anytime using your VIN and current registration number, or visit a Secretary of State office with your registration card. Renewing early does not change your renewal date — it will still be due again two years from your birthday month.

What if I lost my registration card?

You can still renew online using your VIN and registration number, or by visiting an office in person with your driver's license. You do not need the physical card to renew. If you need a replacement card before your renewal date, you can request one at a Secretary of State office.

Do I need to pass an emissions test to renew?

Illinois does not require an emissions test statewide for registration renewal. Some counties in the Chicago area have stricter rules; check with your local Secretary of State office if you live in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will County. Your renewal notice will tell you if an emissions test is required for your vehicle.

What if I move out of state before my registration expires?

You do not need to renew your Illinois registration if you no longer live in the state. Register your vehicle in your new state instead. If you move back to Illinois before your current registration expires, you can use that registration until it expires, then renew in Illinois.

How much does registration renewal cost?

The cost varies based on your vehicle's weight and type. A standard passenger car typically costs less than a truck or SUV. The online renewal system shows the exact fee for your vehicle before you pay. If you renew late, an additional late fee applies on top of the standard renewal cost.