Can I renew my license plate without insurance?

Renewing your license plates every year is one of the many routine maintenance tasks you must perform when you own a vehicle. If you don’t keep your registration and license plates up to date in Chicago and Illinois, you could be subject to fines and penalties when the police pull you over. Fortunately, renewing your Illinois license plates is fairly quick and easy. American Auto Insurance is here to answer any questions you may have and ensure you have state-mandated insurance at an affordable price.

Illinois License Plate Renewal Requirements

To renew your license plate in Illinois, you must:

• Your vehicle registration ID.
• Your registration PIN.
• A valid payment method.

You will receive your Registration ID and PIN by mail or email when it is time to renew your license plates. You can also find this information on your vehicle registration card, located below your name and address on the left side of the vehicle information box.

If you do not have a current registration card, you can obtain a PIN and registration ID by calling the Public Inquiry Department at 800-252-8980. When you call, you will need to provide the name and address associated with the vehicle registration and the current license plate number.

Where can I update my stickers?

Most Illinois residents can renew their license plates online with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. If you want to get your sticker on the spot, the DMV is no longer the only place to conduct this transaction.

You can renew your license plates in person at any participating currency exchange, bank, or library in Illinois. At these in-person locations, you can pay for your renewal with cash, travelers checks, personal checks, or a credit card. If you use a credit card, a processing fee will be added to your transaction, so other options are cheaper.

If you would like to renew your license plates over the phone, you can do so by calling 866-545-9609. You must use a credit card when renewing your license plates over the phone. If you prefer the most traditional method, you can even renew your license plates by mail. To do so, sign the bottom of your renewal notice and mail it back to the Illinois Secretary of State. Please include a check for the registration fee made payable to the Illinois Secretary of State.

Can I change my renewal information?

If your vehicle registration information is incorrect, you can change it when you renew your license plate. You can update your address online, by mail, or in person. If you have already renewed your registration, there is no additional charge for changing your address. If your registration renewal notice contains incorrect vehicle information, you can change it in person or by mail.

If the information is incorrect because you purchased a new vehicle and transferred it to your current registration, you must provide the Transfer ID that the dealer gave you. You can mail a copy or bring this document with you when you renew your registration in person. If you have not yet received your Transfer ID, you will need to mail a copy to the Illinois Secretary of State as soon as you receive it.

When do I need to renew my license plate?

Drivers must renew their Illinois license plates every year. You need to complete the renewal process before the expiration date of your current license plate sticker. If you purchase a renewal sticker before the expiration date of your current registration, you can legally drive using your printed proof of registration within 30 days after the current sticker expires.

You should receive your renewal sticker in the mail 5 to 10 business days after you order online. If you want to request your renewal by mail, you will need to plan ahead so that it is done before your registration expires. Please allow at least 30 days for the sticker to arrive.

Certain special vehicles only need to renew their plates every two years. These vehicles include the following:

• Driver education vehicle.
• school bus.
• Ceremonial vehicle.
• Charity vehicles carrying six or more passengers.

Insurance requirements for vehicle registration

When you first register a new vehicle in Illinois, you must provide proof of purchase. You are not required to provide proof of insurance when you renew your license plates, but that does not mean you can let your insurance lapse. Illinois uses an electronic liability insurance verification program to check a driver’s insurance coverage twice a year through a third-party vendor. All actively registered vehicles are subject to this program and must comply with the state’s insurance requirements.

In Illinois, you must have at least:

• Provides $50,000 liability coverage for the death of two or more people in a car accident.
• Provides $25,000 liability coverage for one death in a car accident.
• $20,000 of property damage liability coverage for auto accidents.

If you have been convicted three or more times of driving without liability insurance, or are under court supervision for violating mandatory insurance regulations, you must also keep an SR-22 certificate with your insurance policy. This is an additional form of verification that assures the state that you have the required auto insurance.

Protect your car

If you don’t have the coverage you need, or would like to find more affordable car insurance, contact American Auto Insurance. We offer the most affordable plans in Illinois and provide a variety of coverage options, including liability, collision, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. We also provide SR-22 certificates for those who need to provide this document to the state. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff is happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today for a quote or cheap SR22 car insurance.