Illinois License Plate Lookup

When buying a used car, sellers may not always disclose the full history of the vehicle. Additionally, if you’re interested in obtaining a vanity plate for your vehicle, you can perform a license plate check to see if your desired plate is available or already taken.

The Beginning of Route 66

The historic Route 66, also known as the “Main Street of America,” begins in Chicago, Illinois. This iconic highway has played a major role in American car culture, offering a scenic route with numerous landmarks and attractions for road trippers.

Where is the License Plate Number?

Your license plate number is mounted on your car with big, bold letters. Alternatively, you can look it up in your vehicle registration card.

Registering a Vehicle in Illinois

After purchasing a vehicle in Illinois or moving to the state, you have 30 days to register the car. Once registered, you will receive a temporary permit valid for 90 days, or until your license plates are issued.

In Illinois, license plates are managed by the Secretary of State (SOS). Standard plates consist of three letters and four numbers, and each vehicle must display two plates: one on the front and one on the rear.

With your license plates, you will also receive validation stickers, which should be placed on the rear plate. If the sticker is lost or damaged, it can be replaced for a fee. Additionally, you can request replacement license plates for an extra cost.

Available License Plates in Illinois

When registering a vehicle in Illinois, there is a variety of license plate types you can choose from. The standard plates issued in Illinois come in white and blue, characterized by a Lincoln image with dark red letters.

If you prefer not to use the standard plates, you can apply for special category license plates. People living with disabilities can apply for special placards and license plates. This allows them to park in designated zones throughout Illinois.

In general, Illinois has up to eleven license plate types. They include:

• License plates for persons with disabilities
• Standard license plates
• Antique license plates
• Specialty license plates
• Pan-Hellenic series license plates
• Collegiate license plates
• Military license plates
• First responders license plates
• Professional sports license plates
• Sporting series license plates
• RV license plates

The state of Illinois requires you to first register and title your vehicle under the standard license plate category before you can apply for personalized plates. It is against the law to use customized license plates on vehicle leases, vehicles in a trust or business vehicles.

Titling Your Vehicle in Illinois

You can do your Illinois vehicle titling online. Once you complete the application process, submit the application over the counter or via mail to the SOS (Secretary of State) office. All the data you present in the documents should be accurate for the SOS offices to approve. If you purchased your vehicles out of state, you will need to submit your RUT-25 tax form.