How To Register A Car in Illinois: Everything You Need To Know

in Buying By State
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Every vehicle owner needs to register their machine. If you live in Illinois, there might be different rules than in other states. You might wonder how to register a car in Illinois, especially if you’ve never done it before. How can you complete this process? What do you need to get the job done?

If you’re interested in learning more about how to register a car in Illinois, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the necessary documents for registration, how to register as a new resident, and everything else critical to the process. The more you know, the easier it will be to get the job done.

Necessary Documents to Register a Car

Although it’s necessary to register your vehicle in Illinois, you can’t complete the registration process without the right documents. These prove ownership of the car and the condition it is in for the benefit of the state.

According to way.com, here are the items you need to register a car in Illinois:

  • Vehicle title
  • Odometer disclosure statement
  • Proof of insurance policy
  • Car details
  • Application for vehicle transaction
  • Payment of registration fees, taxes, and title fee
  • Car details

These give the DMV everything they need to successfully register the vehicle.

If you don’t have any of these items, it’s critical to acquire them. Without this information, the DMV cannot properly register your vehicle. 

New residents to the state must go through a slightly different process to ensure their vehicles are accounted for on the road. Let’s discuss registration for new residents.


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New Resident Registration

Wondering how to register a car in Illinois as someone who recently moved to the area? If you are a new resident of Illinois, you need the same document to register your vehicle. You have thirty days to register.

You might need to bring documentation and fees from the location you are bringing the car. It’s best to speak with professionals in the state you’re leaving to grab any necessary information before attempting to register in Illinois.

If you are a resident of Illinois, the most common way to register your vehicle is in person. Let’s discuss the process of registration if you have always called Illinois home.

How to Register Your Vehicle

Once you have all the paperwork you need, it’s time to register your car. Gather your supplies and pull everything together before selecting the best choice for the process. 

According to metromile.com, you have two choices when registering your car:

  • Register in person: The most common way to register your vehicle is to take your paperwork and bring it to your local Secretary of State office. You can bring everything at once or register ahead to save time.
  • Register through the mail: Another method is to register through the mail. You might need to provide a money order or check depending on the required payments for your vehicle.

Either way will get the job done.

When considering how to register a car in Illinois, it’s critical to look at the items that could halt a vehicle registration. If any of these items apply to you, there is a chance you could fail to register your car.


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Items That Could Halt a Vehicle Registration

Many people choose to renew their vehicle registration online. Sometimes, when completing this process, they might encounter a block in the registration. This trouble can be frustrating and could cause a delay in driving. There are a few reasons Illinois might choose to halt vehicle registrations.

According to carinsurance.com, here are a few things that could halt your vehicle registration:

  • Failure to pay registration fees
  • Offenses like driving without a license 
  • Committing other car-based crimes

It’s critical to be aware of these potential issues if you have gotten into trouble on the road.

If you encounter this trouble, it’s critical to contact your local DMV as soon as possible. They can determine what you need to do to free up your vehicle registration and push your car into legal standing.

Necessary Vehicle Inspections

Before you can register or renew your vehicle’s registration in Illinois, your car must have an emissions test. This process checks the pollutants that come out of your vehicle, ensuring they meet the standard for the state.

Some cars don’t need vehicle inspections. If you drive a diesel car, you don’t need to get an emissions inspection. You also don’t need one if you have an electric vehicle, as they have no emissions.

If you don’t live in the state and the registration is in another location, you don’t need the test. Once you move to New York, it’s a necessity.

Fees

There are also fees to consider when considering how to register a car in Illinois. Although fees aren’t expensive, you still need to submit a small amount to make your vehicle legal to drive in the state.

According to carregistration.com, here are three fees you might have to pay:

  • Vehicle registration: $151-$164
  • Title fees: $50
  • Tax fees: Dependent on the value of the car

These cover everything you need.

Inspections and additional paperwork can cost more money. Keep a small amount of cash aside to prepare for the registration process.


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Final Thoughts

If you live in Illinois, it’s critical to understand the registration process for your vehicle. There are plenty of things to remember, from loads of paperwork to the items that could stop registration in its tracks. It’s crucial to understand how to register a car in Illinois so you can make the process happen as fast as possible.

We hope this information was helpful! The more you know about how to register a car in Illinois, the easier it will be to handle the stress of working with professionals in the DMV. Although it won’t be fun, knowledge can make the process much quicker. In no time, you will have a vehicle legal to drive on the streets of Illinois.



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