625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code.

(625 ILCS 5/3-407) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-407)

Sec. 3-407. Temporary permit or registration pending registration.

(a) Temporary Permit. The Secretary of State in his discretion may grant a temporary permit or placard to operate a vehicle for which application for registration and certificate of title has been made where such application is made by the holder of a valid Illinois driver's license or identification card, or equivalent documentation, and accompanied by the proper fee, pending action upon said application by the Secretary of State. If the person making the application is primarily a resident of a state other than the State of Illinois, that person shall provide a valid driver's license or identification card, or equivalent documentation, of that primary state of residence, accompanied by the proper fee, and one or more of the following: (i) proof of ownership or lease agreement for a residence in Illinois; (ii) proof of enrollment in an Illinois college, university, or other institution of higher education; or (iii) proof of active duty military status. In lieu of payment of the proper fee, the Secretary of State may accept a bond therefor or a certificate of deposit, in the proper amount, and in the same form and subject to the same requirements as the payment of such fees or taxes on an installment basis, except that the fees or taxes due shall be payable and paid to the Secretary of State. The design, color and format of the temporary permit or placard shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary of State.

(b) Temporary Registration. The Secretary of State in his discretion may issue registration plates to an owner for which application and certificate of title has been made where such application is accompanied by the proper fee and tax, pending completion of the said application by the applicant and the Secretary, subject however to rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary.

(c) Revocation. A temporary permit or registration is subject to revocation to the same extent as any other registration.

(Source: P.A. 103-209, eff. 1-1-24.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-407.5)

Sec. 3-407.5. Temporary permit for charitable not-for-profit organization.

(a) Any charitable not-for-profit organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and engaged in the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles may make application to the Secretary for a temporary permit to operate a motor vehicle that was donated to the not-for-profit organization for the purpose of donating the motor vehicle to a low-income individual.

(b) A permit issued under this Section shall be valid for a period of 90 days. No more than 2 permits may be issued under this Section for any one vehicle. A vehicle may be operated with the temporary permit only for purposes of delivering the vehicle to a not-for-profit organization, moving the vehicle for maintenance or repairs, or delivering the vehicle to a low-income individual.

(c) An applicant for the temporary permit shall provide the Secretary proof of the not-for-profit status of the organization, along with a document signed by the donor and the not-for-profit organization expressly stating that the vehicle is being donated to the not-for-profit organization by the donor, and the not-for-profit organization assumes all liability for the operation of the vehicle upon accepting the donation. This form must identify the vehicle by make, model, year, and vehicle identification number. An applicant for the temporary permit shall also provide the Secretary with proof of liability insurance covering the vehicle in at least the minimum amounts set forth in Article VI of Chapter 7. The donated motor vehicle shall meet the requirements for registration under Chapter 3 of this Code to qualify for a temporary permit under this Section. A copy of the permit shall be kept inside the motor vehicle at all times.

(d) The Secretary may adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 101-51, eff. 7-12-19.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-408) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-408)

Sec. 3-408. Grounds for refusing registration or certificate of title. The Secretary of State shall refuse registration or any transfer of registration upon any of the following grounds:

1. That the application contains any false or fraudulent statement or that the applicant has failed to furnish required information or reasonable additional information requested by the Secretary of State or that the applicant is not entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title or registration of the vehicle under Chapter 3;

2. That the Secretary of State has reasonable ground to believe that the vehicle is a stolen or embezzled vehicle or that the granting of registration would constitute a fraud against the rightful owner or other person having valid lien upon such vehicle;

3. That the registration of the vehicle stands suspended or revoked for any reason as provided in the motor-vehicle laws of this State;

4. That the required fee has not been paid;

5. (a) In the case of medical transport vehicles and vehicles designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers operated by a contract carrier transporting employees in the course of their employment on a highway of this State, that the application does not contain a copy of a completed Vehicle Inspection Report issued by the Department of Transportation which certifies that the vehicle has been determined to be in safe mechanical condition by a safety test administered within the preceding 6 months; and (b) in the case of medical transport vehicles, other than vehicles owned or operated by a unit of local government, proof of financial responsibility; or

6. That the applicant is 90 days or more delinquent in court ordered child support payments or has been adjudicated in arrears in an amount equal to 90 days' obligation or more and has been found in contempt of court for failure to pay the support, subject to the requirements and procedures of Article VII of Chapter 7 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(Source: P.A. 92-108, eff. 1-1-02.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-409) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-409)

Sec. 3-409. Registration indexes.

The Secretary of State shall file each application received and when satisfied as to the genuineness and regularity thereof, and that the applicant is entitled to register such vehicle and to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall register the vehicle therein described and keep a suitable record thereof as follows:

1. Under a distinctive registration number assigned to the vehicle;

2. Under the identifying number of the vehicle;

3. Alphabetically, under the name of the owner;

4. In the discretion of the Secretary of State, in any other manner it may deem desirable.

(Source: P.A. 76-1586.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-410) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-410)

Sec. 3-410. Secretary of State to issue registration card.

(a) The Secretary of State upon registering a vehicle shall issue a registration card.

(b) The registration card shall be delivered to the owner and shall contain upon the face thereof the date issued, the name and address of the owner, the registration number assigned to the vehicle and as to vehicles of the second division, whether the vehicle is for-hire or not-for-hire and such description of the vehicle as determined by the Secretary of State.

(Source: P.A. 76-1586.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-411) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-411)

Sec. 3-411. Registration card to be carried and exhibited on demand.

(a) Every registration card for a vehicle of the second division weighing more than 8,000 pounds or any vehicle of the second division weighing 8,000 pounds or less towing a trailer, except pole trailer or semitrailer shall at all times be carried in the vehicle to which it refers or shall be carried by the person driving or in control of such vehicle who shall display the same upon demand of a police officer or any officer or employee of the Secretary of State.

(b) The provisions of this Section requiring that a registration card be carried in the vehicle to which it refers or by the person driving the same shall not apply when such card is used for the purpose of making application for renewal of registration or upon a transfer of registration of said vehicle.

(c) Every owner or operator of a vehicle of the second division subject to a reciprocity agreement under subsection (b) of Section 3-402 of this Chapter shall at all times carry in the vehicle a copy of the reciprocity permit and shall display the same upon demand of a police officer or any officer or employee of the Secretary of State.

(Source: P.A. 89-245, eff. 1-1-96; 89-687, eff. 6-1-97.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-412) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-412)

Sec. 3-412. Registration plates or digital registration plates and registration stickers or digital registration stickers to be furnished by the Secretary of State.

(a) The Secretary of State upon registering a vehicle subject to annual registration for the first time shall issue or shall cause to be issued to the owner one registration plate or digital registration plate for a motorcycle, trailer, semitrailer, moped, autocycle, or truck-tractor, 2 registration plates, or a digital registration plate and metal plate as set forth in Section 3-401.5, for other motor vehicles and, where applicable, current registration stickers or digital registration stickers for motor vehicles of the first division. The provisions of this Section may be made applicable to such vehicles of the second division, as the Secretary of State may, from time to time, in his discretion designate. On subsequent annual registrations during the term of the registration plate or digital registration plate as provided in Section 3-414.1, the Secretary shall issue or cause to be issued registration stickers or digital registration stickers as evidence of current registration. However, the issuance of annual registration stickers or digital registration stickers to vehicles registered under the provisions of Sections 3-402.1 and 3-405.3 of this Code may not be required if the Secretary deems the issuance unnecessary.

(b) Every registration plate or digital registration plate shall have displayed upon it the registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued, the name of this State, which may be abbreviated, the year number for which it was issued, which may be abbreviated, the phrase "Land of Lincoln" (except as otherwise provided in this Code), and such other letters or numbers as the Secretary may prescribe. However, for apportionment plates issued to vehicles registered under Section 3-402.1 and fleet plates issued to vehicles registered under Section 3-405.3, the phrase "Land of Lincoln" may be omitted to allow for the word "apportioned", the word "fleet", or other similar language to be displayed. Registration plates or digital registration plates issued to a vehicle registered as a fleet vehicle may display a designation determined by the Secretary.

The Secretary may in his discretion prescribe that letters be used as prefixes only on registration plates or digital registration plates issued to vehicles of the first division which are registered under this Code and only as suffixes on registration plates or digital registration plates issued to other vehicles. Every registration sticker or digital registration sticker issued as evidence of current registration shall designate the year number for which it is issued and such other letters or numbers as the Secretary may prescribe and shall be of a contrasting color with the registration plates or digital registration plates and registration stickers or digital registration stickers of the previous year.

(c) Each registration plate or digital registration plate and the required letters and numerals thereon, except the year number for which issued, shall be of sufficient size to be plainly readable from a distance of 100 feet during daylight, and shall be coated with reflectorizing material. The dimensions of the plate issued to vehicles of the first division shall be 6 by 12 inches.

(d) The Secretary of State shall issue for every passenger motor vehicle rented without a driver the same type of registration plates or digital registration plates as the type of plates issued for a private passenger vehicle.

(e) The Secretary of State shall issue for every passenger car used as a taxicab or livery, distinctive registration plates or digital registration plates.

(f) The Secretary of State shall issue for every motorcycle distinctive registration plates or digital registration plates distinguishing between motorcycles having 150 or more cubic centimeters piston displacement, or having less than 150 cubic centimeter piston displacement.

(g) Registration plates or digital registration plates issued to vehicles for-hire may display a designation as determined by the Secretary that such vehicles are for-hire.

(h) (Blank).

(i) The Secretary of State shall issue for every public and private ambulance registration plates or digital registration plates identifying the vehicle as an ambulance. The Secretary shall forward to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services registration information for the purpose of verification of claims filed with the Department by ambulance owners for payment for services to public assistance recipients.

(j) The Secretary of State shall issue for every public and private medical carrier or rescue vehicle livery registration plates or digital registration plates displaying numbers within ranges of numbers reserved respectively for medical carriers and rescue vehicles. The Secretary shall forward to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services registration information for the purpose of verification of claims filed with the Department by owners of medical carriers or rescue vehicles for payment for services to public assistance recipients.

(k) The Secretary of State shall issue distinctive license plates or digital registration plates or distinctive license plate stickers or digital registration stickers for every vehicle exempted from subsections (a) and (a-5) of Section 12-503 by subsection (g) of that Section, and by subsection (g-5) of that Section before its deletion by this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly. The Secretary shall issue these plates or stickers immediately upon receiving the physician's certification required under subsection (g) of Section 12-503. New plates or stickers shall also be issued when the certification is renewed as provided in that subsection.

(l) The Secretary of State shall issue distinctive registration plates or digital registration plates for low-speed vehicles.

(m) The Secretary of State shall issue distinctive registration plates or digital registration plates for autocycles. The dimensions of the plate issued to autocycles shall be 4 by 7 inches.

(Source: P.A. 101-395, eff. 8-16-19.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-413) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-413)

Sec. 3-413. Display of registration plates or digital registration plates, registration stickers or digital registration stickers, and drive-away permits; registration plate or digital registration plate covers.

(a) Registration plates or digital registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, autocycle, trailer, semitrailer, truck-tractor, apportioned bus, or apportioned truck shall be attached thereto, one in the front and one in the rear. The registration plate or digital registration plate issued for a motorcycle, autocycle, trailer or semitrailer required to be registered hereunder and any apportionment plate issued to a bus under the provisions of this Code shall be attached to the rear thereof. The registration plate or digital registration plate issued for a truck-tractor or an apportioned truck required to be registered hereunder shall be attached to the front thereof.

(b) Except for vehicles with rear loaded motorized forklifts, every registration plate or digital registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height of not less than 5 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained in a condition to be clearly legible, free from any materials that would obstruct the visibility of the plate. A registration plate or digital registration plate on a motorcycle may be mounted vertically as long as it is otherwise clearly visible. Registration stickers or digital registration stickers issued as evidence of renewed annual registration shall be attached to registration plates or displayed on digital registration plates as required by the Secretary of State, and be clearly visible at all times. For those vehicles with rear loaded motorized forklifts, if the rear plate is securely fastened in a horizontal position as prescribed, the plate and registration sticker shall not be required to be clearly visible at all times as a result of the rear mounted motorized forklift obstructing the view.

(c) Every drive-away permit issued pursuant to this Code shall be firmly attached to the motor vehicle in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of State. If a drive-away permit is affixed to a motor vehicle in any other manner the permit shall be void and of no effect.

(d) The Illinois prorate decal issued to a foreign registered vehicle part of a fleet prorated or apportioned with Illinois, shall be displayed on a registration plate or digital registration plate and displayed on the front of such vehicle in the same manner as an Illinois registration plate or digital registration plate.

(e) The registration plate or digital registration plate issued for a camper body mounted on a truck displaying registration plates or digital registration plates shall be attached to the rear of the camper body.

(f) No person shall operate a vehicle, nor permit the operation of a vehicle, upon which is displayed an Illinois registration plate or plates or digital registration plate or plates or registration stickers or digital registration stickers, except as provided for in subsection (b) of Section 3-701 of this Code, after the termination of the registration period for which issued or after the expiration date set pursuant to Sections 3-414 and 3-414.1 of this Code.

(g) A person may not operate any motor vehicle that is equipped with registration plate or digital registration plate covers. A violation of this subsection (g) or a similar provision of a local ordinance is an offense against laws and ordinances regulating the movement of traffic.

(h) A person may not sell or offer for sale a registration plate or digital registration plate cover. A violation of this subsection (h) is a business offense.

(i) A person may not advertise for the purpose of promoting the sale of registration plate or digital registration plate covers. A violation of this subsection (i) is a business offense.

(j) A person may not modify the original manufacturer's mounting location of the rear registration plate or digital registration plate on any vehicle so as to conceal the registration or to knowingly cause it to be obstructed in an effort to hinder a peace officer from obtaining the registration for the enforcement of a violation of this Code, Section 27.1 of the Toll Highway Act concerning toll evasion, or any municipal ordinance. Modifications prohibited by this subsection (j) include but are not limited to the use of an electronic device. A violation of this subsection (j) is a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 101-395, eff. 8-16-19.)