IL · Registration fee guide
Illinois car registration fees
Last verified · View sources
Illinois charges a flat $151 a year to register a passenger car, whatever its weight, value or age.
Your itemized estimate
Estimate your registration
Use your vehicle details to calculate the listed fees. Amounts reflect the schedule verified in 2026.
Start with the published example below, then adjust the details for your vehicle.
Published example · listed fees
$151.0012-month renewal example
No listed fees for this selection.
- State fees$151.00
- County / local$0.00
- One-time$0.00
View breakdown data
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| State fees | $151.00 |
| County / local | $0.00 |
| One-time | $0.00 |
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passenger registration fee | $151.00 |
Estimate only. Includes only the fees listed here; other taxes, penalties or local charges may apply. Confirm with the official agency.
Confirm with Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department
Registration fee schedule
Only applicable fees contribute to your estimate. Optional fees are excluded unless selected. One-time fees apply only to new registrations.
| Fee | Amount or rule | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger registration fee | $151.00 Secretary of State passenger plate fees: annual renewal $151; first-time issuance for a vehicle already titled in Illinois is also $151 (plates included). | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Electric vehicle fee (in lieu of motor fuel taxes) | $100.00 625 ILCS 5/3-805(a): an additional $100 per year for vehicles propelled by an electric engine and not using motor fuel. Hybrids that use fuel do not pay it. | See conditionsfuel type: electric |
| Certificate of title | $165.00 625 ILCS 5/3-821(a); Secretary of State lists 'Newly acquired vehicle/first-time issuance - $316 ($165 title fee + $151 registration fee)'. Moving existing plates to another vehicle is a $25 transfer fee instead of a new registration. Sales/use tax is not included. | New registrationAll listed vehicles; one-time |
How Illinois fees work
Illinois charges a flat $151 a year to register a passenger car, whatever its weight, value or age. Electric vehicles pay an extra $100 a year in place of motor fuel taxes, for $251. A newly acquired vehicle adds the $165 certificate of title fee, so a standard plate for a newly bought car costs $316. Renewing more than one month after expiration can add a $20 delinquent fee.
The listed registration period is 12 months. Agency information
Cost factors: flat, fuel.
Electric & hybrid surcharges
Electric: $100.00 in the listed schedule. Fee source
Choose the matching fuel type in the calculator to include the applicable surcharge.
Late registration
Under 625 ILCS 5/3-821.2 the Secretary of State may charge a $20 delinquent registration renewal fee for passenger cars when the renewal is received more than one month after the registration expired. Active-duty military stationed outside Illinois are exempt.
Confirm deadlines and penalties with the agencyWorked example
Gas sedan, annual renewal with standard random-number plates: $151 registration fee.
Listed total: $151.00
See the fee rules and sources aboveCommon questions
How are Illinois registration fees calculated?
Illinois charges a flat $151 a year to register a passenger car, whatever its weight, value or age. Electric vehicles pay an extra $100 a year in place of motor fuel taxes, for $251. A newly acquired vehicle adds the $165 certificate of title fee, so a standard plate for a newly bought car costs $316. Renewing more than one month after expiration can add a $20 delinquent fee.
Where can I confirm my final registration cost?
Confirm the final amount with Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department. Its official website is linked below the calculator and in this guide’s sources.
What other limitations should I consider?
Illinois has no state county fee on passenger registration. Some local governments charge their own vehicle stickers or wheel taxes (for example the City of Chicago sticker), which are paid to the city or county, not the Secretary of State, and are not included. Vanity ($94 first issue, $13 a year after) and personalized ($47 first issue, $7 a year after) plates cost extra and are not included. Currency exchanges and other remitters may add their own service charge.
Sources and last checked
Sources
- Passenger License Plates (fees) Illinois Secretary of State
- 625 ILCS 5/3-805 Electric vehicles Illinois General Assembly
- 625 ILCS 5/3-821 Miscellaneous registration and title fees Illinois General Assembly
- 625 ILCS 5/3-821.2 Delinquent registration renewal fee Illinois General Assembly
Last verified
Fees can change. Confirm your final amount with the official registration agency before paying.
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