Our expired registration lawyers explain what it means for you.
Overview
Have you been caught with an expired registration? Illinois law requires all vehicles registered in Illinois to have a valid Illinois registration sticker placed on their rear license plate.
Registration stickers are generally valid for one year from purchase, so the expiration date will vary from person to person.
It used to be the case that the Illinois Secretary of State would mail registered vehicle owners to remind them that their registration was set to expire. However, this is no longer the case. Vehicle owners will still receive an email reminder if they are signed up, but it is up to each individual to check if their registration sticker is valid before operating their vehicle on a public roadway.
As a result, it can be easy to forget or not realize that your registration has expired until it’s too late and you’re pulled over for driving with expired tags.
What penalties can you face for driving with an expired registration?
Driving with expired tags in Illinois is a non-moving — or administrative — violation. This means that on its own, it’s punishable by a fine and will not go on your record.
In these cases, the best thing to do is pay the $90 fine and renew your registration as quickly as possible — if you wait more than 30 days before renewing your registration, you’ll incur a $20 late registration fee.
You should also take proof of your valid registration with you to court.
If you’ve already renewed your registration and were waiting on your new tags when you were pulled over, you’re not completely off the hook. That’s because you can display a Temporary Registration Permit (TRP) issued by the Secretary of State until you receive your new plates. Temporary permits are valid for 90 days and can be reissued if you do not receive your updated tags within this time.
When a ticket for expired registration can be more serious
An expired registration ticket can become more complex if you are also charged with an offense.
For example, if you have an expired registration but you’re also operating a vehicle with a canceled, suspended, or revoked registration and you’re charged with the latter offense, it’s a Class A misdemeanor. This carries more than just a fine, with penalties including up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,500. While jail time is rare for these offenses, a conviction on this charge will result in a criminal record and impact your driving record.
What to do if you have an expired registration ticket
Step 1: Understand your ticket
The first step you should take is to review your ticket. This will outline the specific violation, the fine, and any important dates to remember.
Step 2: Renew your registration
The next step you should take is to renew your license registration. Having proof of valid registration may not automatically result in the ticket being dismissed, but it will likely lead to a much better outcome than showing up to court without it.
You can renew an expired registration online, by mail, or in person. You will need your Registration ID and PIN.
Step 3: Address the ticket
Renewing your license registration won’t make the ticket disappear, and you’ll still need to deal with it.
You will typically need to go to court for an expired registration ticket, which is indicated by “Court Appearance Required” on your paperwork. It’s important to go to court at the time and date shown, as failure to appear can result in more serious consequences.
If you renewed your registration before your court date, you should take proof with you.
Step 4: Consider hiring an expired registration lawyer
For a standalone expired registration ticket, you likely won’t need an attorney. Because it’s an administrative violation, the ticket won’t affect your record. The exception is if you’re charged with a moving violation, such as driving with a suspended license or driving without insurance, which can have bigger repercussions.
How Driver Defense Team can help
Our approach is different from other firms. We exclusively represent Illinois drivers — it’s all we do. That means when you hire Driver Defense Team, you get:
- A team of attorneys who know every courthouse, judge, and prosecutor in Cook, DuPage, Lake, and Kane County
- A dedicated case manager who keeps you updated every step of the way
- Clear communication about your options and likely outcomes
- A personalized defense strategy focused on your goals
- 114+ years of combined experience defending drivers
