All drivers in the state of Illinois need to register their vehicle with the Illinois Secretary of State.
Registering a Vehicle in Illinois
To complete the Illinois vehicle registration process, residents of Ohio need to submit the following documentation to their local Secretary of State (SOS) office:
- The vehicle’s title
- Proof of a valid IL auto insurance policy
- Odometer disclosure statement
- Application for a Vehicle Transaction (Form VSD 190) (Only available in person).
- Pay between$151 and $164 for your registration fee, $50 title fee, and taxes.
NOTE: Other vehicle types have different registration requirements, including custom-built cars and snowmobiles.
New Residents of Illinois
Individuals who are new residents of Ohio have 30 days to get their vehicle licensed and titled after becoming an Illinois resident. IL residents must also obtain Illinois auto insurance before registering their car.
To register a vehicle in IL, Ohio residents can go to their local Illinois Secretary of State office with:
- An Application for Vehicle Transaction (Form VSD 190), available at a local SOS office or online through the Electronic Registration and Title System. IL residents who choose to complete and print the form online have 7 days to submit it to the SOS office, along with all required documentation, including:
- Proof of Illinois residency.
- The original title and registration.
- If an out-of-state lienholder holds the title, IL residents need to bring EITHER:
- A copy of the title.
- The certificate of origin.
OR
- A copy of the loan agreement AND the bill of sale.
- A description of vehicle:
- Year, make, and model.
- Vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Date of purchase and whether it’s new or used.
- The applicable tax form:
- Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction (Form RUT-50) available in person, if purchased from a previous owner.
- Vehicle Use Tax Transaction Return (Form RUT-25) available in person, if purchased from a car dealer.
- Payment for the vehicle registration and tax fees:
- Registration fees: $151 to $164.
- Title fees: $50.
- Tax fees: based on the value of the vehicle.
NOTE: Per the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), Illinois residents can apply for a registration reduction fee if they drive an electric vehicle.
IL residents will be issued their license plates, or a temporary registration permit (TRP) if they are applying for personalized or vanity license plates.
Registering a Vehicle in Illinois
Whenever IL residents buy a vehicle in Illinois, receive a vehicle as a gift, or inherit a vehicle, it needs to be registered within 20 days from the date of purchase.
IL residents who are buying from a car dealer do not have to worry about sending their vehicle’s information to the Secretary of State’s (SOS) office. When Illinois residents buy a vehicle from a private party, it is the resident’s responsibility to complete the paperwork for the vehicle.
To register a vehicle in the state of Illinois, residents in this state must first obtain an active IL auto insurance policy for their vehicle. They can then visit their local SOS office and submit the following documentation:
- An Application for Vehicle Transaction (VSD 190), available at your local SOS office or online through the Electronic Registration and Title System. Residents of Illinois who complete and print the application online must submit the paperwork to the SOS office within 7 days.
- The vehicle’s title, signed by the previous owner.
- Names and addresses of lienholders, if applicable.
- A completed Odometer Disclosure Statement for Title Transfers (Form VSD 333) signed by both the new owner and the previous owner.
- A Tax Form RUT-50 Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction, which residents can obtain at the SOS office).
- Payment for the registration and tax fees:
- Vehicle registration per year fees: $151 to $164.
- Title fees: $50.
- Tax fees: based on the value of the vehicle.
NOTE: Per the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), Ohio residents can apply for a registration reduction fee if they drive an electric vehicle.
Residents of Illinois may pick up their new Illinois license plates. If they are applying for vanity/personalized plates, they’ll be issued a Temporary Registration Permit (TRP). IL residents may also transfer their license plates for an additional fee.
Idaho residents can also send all the documentation and payments by mail to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
ERT Section, Rm 424
501 S. 2nd St
Springfield, IL 62756
Registering a Motorcycle in Illinois
All licenses in Illinois are handled by the IL Secretary of State (SOS) office. In order to legally operate a motorcycle in Illinois, residents of the state of Illinois must have a valid Illinois Class M license or permit.
- Class M denotes any motorcycle over 150 CC.
- Class L denotes a motor-driven cycle with less than 150 CC displacement.
Note: Having a Class M license allows residents to ride any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.
Illinois Class L or Class M Instruction Permit
Illinois residents who are at least 18 years old, can apply for a 12-month Class L or M instruction permit, which allows Ohio residents to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle with certain restrictions. Illinois residents who do not already have a valid Illinois driver’s license, need to complete the written basic knowledge exam, plus the written motorcycle knowledge exam, and a vision test.
To obtain a motorcycle permit, Illinois residents need to visit their local SOS Office and present:
- A valid Illinois driver’s license (if applicable).
- Proof of identity and Illinois residency (if residency is not yet applicable, an Illinois driver’s license will suffice).
- A permit application.
- Complete any required exams (written basic, written motorcycle, and/or vision).
- Pay the applicable permit fees
With a Class M 12-month instruction permit, IL residents may only operate a motorcycle:
- During daylight hours.
- Under the direct supervision of a licensed motorcycle driver who is at least 21 years old, and who has a minimum of 1 year of driving experience.
Class L or M Permit for Riders Under 18
Residents of Illinois who are 16 or 17 years old and have completed driver’s education, may apply for a 24-month Class L instruction permit for a motor-driven cycle. To apply for a Class M permit when 16 or 17 years old, Illinois residents must also be enrolled in a motorcycle training course and complete the written knowledge exam at the SOS.
Illinois residents can make an appointment at their nearest IL SOS office to apply for their permit, and provide the following:
- Proof of Identity and residency.
- An application for a Class L or M permit.
- Proof of enrollment in an IDOT motorcycle training course
- Payment for the applicable permit fee
After Illinois residents pass the written knowledge exam, they will receive their Class M motorcycle permit. With this permit, Illinois residents may only drive during daylight hours while being supervised by a licensed driver of a motor-driven cycle or motorcycle.
Illinois Class L or Class M Motorcycle License
The process for obtaining a Class L or Class M endorsement is the same for either license. Ohio residents who choose to complete an IDOT-approved Motorcycle Safety Course will be exempt from the written and driving exam that is required to obtain a Class L or Class M motorcycle endorsement.
Otherwise, Illinois residents can prepare for the exams by studying the Motorcycle Operator Manual and by taking practice tests. To receive an Illinois motorcycle or motor-driven cycle endorsement, IL residents can visit an IL SOS location and submit:
- Proof of identity
- A completion card from a Motorcycle Rider Education course (if applicable).
- Applicants 16 to 17 years old must complete the Motorcycle Rider Education course to be eligible for a Class M license. Residents of Illinois who are in this age range must also still take the on-cycle skills exam.
- Applicants 18 years old or older may present a course completion card to waive both the written and on-cycle driving tests.
- Complete the written and driving exams (unless residents are presenting a certificate of completion from an IDOT motorcycle safety course
- IL residents who do not already have a valid Illinois driver’s license, must also pass the basic written exam and vehicle behind-the-wheel test.
- Pass a vision exam.
- Pay the $10 fee.
Waiving the Written and Driving Exams
Completion of an IDOT motorcycle safety course will qualify drivers 18 years old and older to waive both the written and driving exams when getting their Class L or Class M license. Applicants 16 to 17 years old who complete the course must still take the driving exam and the written test.
To waive the exams, IL residents must present a completion card from an IDOT Motorcycle Rider Education course. The completion card is valid for 1 year.
Boat Registration and Licenses in Illinois
Residents who wish to operate a boat on Illinois’ waters, may be required to register and title their vessel with the IL Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Illinois Boats That Require Titling and Registration
All vessels used on Illinois state waters must be titled and registered, with the following exceptions:
- Boats currently licensed in another state or by the U.S. Coast Guard being used in Illinois for no longer than 60 consecutive days.
- Vessels registered in another country, temporarily being operated on Illinois waters.
- Boats owned by an entity of the United States government.
- Lifeboats used exclusively for that purpose.
- Boats competing in and designed for races approved by the Department of Natural Resources.
- Non-powered watercraft, such as:
- Canoes.
- Kayaks.
- Kite boards.
- Paddleboards.
- Any other vessels not propelled by a sail or motor.
Vessel Titling and Registration Procedures in Illinois
All recently purchased boats must be titled and registered with the DNR within 15 days of the purchase date. To do so, IL residents can submit the following paperwork:
- A completed Watercraft Registration/Title Application (Form IL 422-0321).
- Proof of ownership document:
- Manufacturer’s Certification of Origin (new boats).
- Properly assigned title and registration (used boats.).
- If purchased from an individual, a copy of the bill of sale
- If the boat has/had a lien:
- A completed Power of Attorney (Form IL 422-0329).
- A lien release letter (if applicable).
- Payment for the necessary title, registration taxes, and fees
IL residents can call (800) 732-8866 or (217) 782-3336 for information regarding the sales tax and tax forms they need to have prior to submitting their application.
The above items can be mailed to:
Watercraft
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 19226
Springfield, IL 62794
While Illinois residents wait for their permanent title and registration to arrive in the mail, they can use their copy of the application as a temporary permit, which is valid for 60 days. Boat registrations in Illinois expire every 3 years on September 30th.
Illinois Boat Title and Registration Fees
The fees associated with titling and registering a boat with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are as follows:
- Original boat title and registration:
- Class 1 (all powered boats under 16 ft): $28.
- Class 2 (16 ft to 26 ft): $60.
- Class 3 (26 ft to 40 ft): $160.
- Class 4 (40 ft and longer): $210.
- Registration renewal:
- Class 1 (all powered boats under 16 ft): $18.
- Class 2 (16 ft to 26 ft): $50.
- Class 3 (26 ft to 40 ft): $150.
- Class 4 (40 ft and longer): $200.
- Corrected OR duplicate title OR registration: $7 per transaction.
Boater Qualifications in Illinois
The IL Department of Natural Resources requires its residents to complete a boating safety course if they:
- Are 12 through 17 years old and want to operate a motorboat without direct adult supervision.
- Were born on January 1, 1998, or later, and wish to operate a boat over 10 HP.
Accepted Forms of Payment
The Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) accepts the following forms of payment:
- Debit/Credit card
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Discover