625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code.

(625 ILCS 5/3-304) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-304)

Sec. 3-304. Application for title - affirmation.

(a) The applicant applying for a certificate of title for a rebuilt vehicle shall sign a written affirmation which states the following:

1. The applicant

(A) is a licensed rebuilder and personally rebuilt the vehicle;

(B) is a licensed builder and personally supervised its rebuilding; or

(C) contracted for rebuilding with a licensed rebuilder;

2. The applicant personally inspected the completed vehicle, and it complies with all safety requirements set forth in this Code and any regulations promulgated thereunder by the Secretary of State;

3. The identification numbers of the rebuilt vehicle and its parts have not, to the knowledge of the applicant, been removed, destroyed, falsified, altered or defaced;

4. The salvage certificate or out-of-state title certificate attached to the application has not, to the knowledge of the applicant, been forged, falsified, altered or counterfeited; and

5. All information contained on the application and its attachments is true and correct to the knowledge of the applicant.

(b) If the applicant states that he or she has contracted for rebuilding with a licensed rebuilder, the applicant shall submit a statement from the rebuilder, in the form designated by the Secretary, stating that all of the supporting documentation and the contents of the application are, to the best of the rebuilder's knowledge and belief, complete, true, and correct.

(Source: P.A. 96-330, eff. 1-1-10.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-305) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-305)

Sec. 3-305. Inspection fee. The fee for the inspection of a rebuilt vehicle shall be $94. All such fees received by the Secretary of State shall be disbursed under subsection (g) of Section 2-119 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 99-127, eff. 1-1-16.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-306) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-306)

Sec. 3-306. Retention of documents. The original documents required to be submitted to the Secretary of State pursuant to Sections 3-301 through 3-305 shall be retained by the Secretary of State for a period determined by Secretary of State by rule or regulation.

(Source: P.A. 83-1528.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-307) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-307)

Sec. 3-307. Short term permit. The Secretary of State shall issue at no charge a short term permit for any vehicle for which an application for a certificate of title has been made under this Article and which must be driven on the roads and highways of this State to a place of inspection.

(Source: P.A. 84-1302; 84-1304.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-308) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-308)

Sec. 3-308. Inspection of rebuilt vehicles.

(a) The Secretary of State shall inspect any vehicle 8 model years of age or newer for which an application for a certificate of title for a rebuilt vehicle will be submitted, or any foreign vehicle which is or may have been salvage as defined under the provisions of this Code.

(b) The inspection of the vehicle shall include an examination of the vehicle and its parts and of the application and proof of notification, if applicable, to determine that:

(1) the identification numbers of the vehicle or its parts have not been removed, falsified, altered, defaced, destroyed, or tampered with;

(2) all information contained in the application for a certificate of title is true and correct; and

(3) there are no indications that the vehicle or any of its parts have been stolen.

(c) The Secretary of State shall, by rule or regulation, carry out and implement the provisions contained in this Section.

(d) All fees received by the Secretary of State from the inspection of vehicles under this Section shall be applied towards the maintenance of the vehicle inspection program and the personnel costs required for the operation of such program.

(Source: P.A. 89-433, eff. 12-15-95.)

(625 ILCS 5/Ch. 3 Art. IV heading) ARTICLE IV. ORIGINAL AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION

(625 ILCS 5/3-400) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-400)

Sec. 3-400. Definitions. Notwithstanding the definitions set forth in Chapter 1 of this Act, for the purposes of this Article, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed to them as follows:

"Apportionable Fee" means any periodic recurring fee required for licensing or registering vehicles, such as, but not limited to, registration fees, license or weight fees.

"Apportionable Vehicle" means any vehicle, except recreational vehicles, vehicles displaying restricted plates, city pickup and delivery vehicles, buses used in transportation of chartered parties, and government owned vehicles that are used or intended for use in 2 or more member jurisdictions that allocate or proportionally register vehicles, in a fleet which is used for the transportation of persons for hire or the transportation of property and which has a gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds; or has three or more axles regardless of weight; or is used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Vehicles, or combinations having a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less and two-axle vehicles may be proportionally registered at the option of such owner.

"Base Jurisdiction" means, for purposes of fleet registration, the jurisdiction where the registrant has an established place of business, where operational records of the fleet are maintained and where mileage is accrued by the fleet. In case a registrant operates more than one fleet, and maintains records for each fleet in different places, the "base jurisdiction" for a fleet shall be the jurisdiction where an established place of business is maintained, where records of the operation of that fleet are maintained and where mileage is accrued by that fleet.

"Operational Records" means documents supporting miles traveled in each jurisdiction and total miles traveled, such as fuel reports, trip leases, and logs.

"Owner" means a person who holds legal title of a motor vehicle, or in the event a motor vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee with right of purchase, or in the event a mortgagor of such motor vehicle is entitled to possession, or in the event a lessee of such motor vehicle is entitled to possession or control, then such conditional vendee or lessee with right of purchase or mortgagor or lessee is considered to be the owner for the purpose of this Act.

"Registration plate or digital registration plate cover" means any tinted, colored, painted, marked, clear, or illuminated object that is designed to (i) cover any of the characters of a motor vehicle's registration plate or digital registration plate; or (ii) distort a recorded image of any of the characters of a motor vehicle's registration plate or digital registration plate recorded by an automated enforcement system as defined in Section 11-208.6, 11-208.8, or 11-1201.1 of this Code or recorded by an automated traffic control system as defined in Section 15 of the Automated Traffic Control Systems in Highway Construction or Maintenance Zones Act.

"Rental Owner" means an owner principally engaged, with respect to one or more rental fleets, in renting to others or offering for rental the vehicles of such fleets, without drivers.

"Restricted Plates" shall include, but is not limited to, dealer, manufacturer, transporter, farm, repossessor, and permanently mounted type plates. Vehicles displaying any of these type plates from a foreign jurisdiction that is a member of the International Registration Plan shall be granted reciprocity but shall be subject to the same limitations as similar plated Illinois registered vehicles.

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

(625 ILCS 5/3-401) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-401)

Sec. 3-401. Effect of provisions.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this Chapter or to drive or move or for an owner knowingly to permit to be driven or moved upon any highway any vehicle of a type required to be registered hereunder which is not registered or for which the appropriate fee has not been paid when and as required hereunder, except that when application accompanied by proper fee has been made for registration of a vehicle it may be operated temporarily pending complete registration upon displaying a duplicate application duly verified or other evidence of such application or otherwise under rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State.

(b) The appropriate fees required to be paid under the various provisions of this Act for registration of vehicles shall mean the fee or fees which would have been paid initially, if proper and timely application had been made to the Secretary of State for the appropriate registration required, whether such registration be a flat weight registration, a single trip permit, a reciprocity permit or a supplemental application to an original prorate application together with payment of fees due under the supplemental application for prorate decals.

(c) Effective October 1, 1984, no vehicle required to pay a Federal Highway Users Tax shall be registered unless proof of payment, in a form prescribed and approved by the Secretary of State, is submitted with the appropriate registration. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, failure of the applicant to comply with this paragraph shall be deemed grounds for the Secretary to refuse registration.

(c-1) A vehicle may not be registered by the Secretary of State unless that vehicle:

(1) was originally manufactured for operation on highways;

(2) is a modification of a vehicle that was originally manufactured for operation on highways; or

(3) was assembled from component parts designed for use in vehicles to be operated on highways.

(d) Second division vehicles.

(1) A vehicle of the second division moved or operated within this State shall have had paid for it the appropriate registration fees and flat weight tax, as evidenced by the Illinois registration issued for that vehicle, for the gross weight of the vehicle and load being operated or moved within this State. Second division vehicles of foreign jurisdictions operated within this State under a single trip permit, fleet reciprocity plan, prorate registration plan, or apportional registration plan, instead of second division vehicle registration under Article VIII of this Chapter, must have had paid for it the appropriate registration fees and flat weight tax in the base jurisdiction of that vehicle, as evidenced by the maximum gross weight shown on the foreign registration cards, plus any appropriate fees required under this Code.

(2) If a vehicle and load are operated in this State and the appropriate fees and taxes have not been paid or the vehicle and load exceed the registered gross weight for which the required fees and taxes have been paid by 2001 pounds or more, the operator or owner shall be fined as provided in Section 15-113 of this Code. However, an owner or operator shall not be subject to arrest under this subsection for any weight in excess of 80,000 pounds. Further, no fine shall exceed the actual cost of what the appropriate registration for that vehicle and load should have been as established in subsection (a) of Section 3-815 of this Chapter regardless of the route traveled. For purposes of this paragraph (2), "appropriate registration" means the full annual cost of the required registration and its associated fees.

(3) Any person operating a legal combination of vehicles displaying valid registration shall not be considered in violation of the registration provision of this subsection unless the total gross weight of the combination exceeds the total licensed weight of the vehicles in the combination. The gross weight of a vehicle exempt from the registration requirements of this Chapter shall not be included when determining the total gross weight of vehicles in combination. Any vehicle operating under an emergency harvest permit, as described in subsection (e-1) of Section 15-301 of this Code, shall not be in violation of this paragraph (3).

(4) If the defendant claims that he or she had previously paid the appropriate Illinois registration fees and taxes for this vehicle before the alleged violation, the defendant shall have the burden of proving the existence of the payment by competent evidence. Proof of proper Illinois registration issued by the Secretary of State, or the appropriate registration authority from the foreign state, shall be the only competent evidence of payment.

(Source: P.A. 100-70, eff. 8-11-17.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-401.5)

Sec. 3-401.5. Digital registration plates and renewals.

(a) The Secretary of State may authorize the issuance of a digital registration plate to a vehicle, in lieu of a set of static, metal registration plates, if the vehicle owner separately purchases the digital registration plate for a particular vehicle. The Secretary shall consult with law enforcement agencies when considering whether to approve the design of a digital license plate. The display device must allow for the automated image capture of letters and numbers during daytime and nighttime, including when the vehicle is parked or turned off. The Secretary shall work with the vehicle owner and the distributor of the digital registration plates to coordinate the appropriate plate image and registration expiration to appear on the digital registration plate. One metal plate shall still be issued to the vehicle owner for the front end of the vehicle.

(b) The Secretary, for any vehicle owner that purchases a digital registration plate, may electronically renew the digital registration plate upon receiving the appropriate renewal registration fee as set forth in this Code. The Secretary may also authorize the image to be suspended or revoked and replaced with an alternative image or blank screen upon violation of any provision of this Code or the failure to renew the digital registration plate.

(c) Before a digital registration plate may be issued in lieu of a special plate authorized under Article VI of this Chapter, the Secretary shall seek approval from the originating organization, when possible, to authorize a digital version of the static, metal plates issued to a vehicle owner.

(d) The owner of a digital registration plate is responsible for any costs associated with using the digital registration plate, including, but not limited to, the initial purchase price and any replacement costs.

(e) The Secretary of State may adopt any rules necessary to implement and develop a digital registration plate program, including rules regarding the images that may appear on digital registration plates.

(f) No image shall appear on a digital registration plate without prior approval of the Secretary of State.

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

(625 ILCS 5/3-402) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-402)

Sec. 3-402. Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions.

A. Exemptions and Policy. Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer when driven or moved upon a highway shall be subject to the registration and certificate of title provisions of this Chapter except:

(1) Any such vehicle driven or moved upon a highway in conformance with the provisions of this Chapter relating to manufacturers, transporters, dealers, lienholders or nonresidents or under a temporary registration permit issued by the Secretary of State;

(2) Any implement of husbandry whether of a type otherwise subject to registration hereunder or not which is only incidentally operated or moved upon a highway, which shall include a not-for-hire movement for the purpose of delivering farm commodities to a place of first processing or sale, or to a place of storage;

(3) Any special mobile equipment as herein defined;

(4) Any vehicle which is propelled exclusively by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires though not operated upon rails;

(5) Any vehicle which is equipped and used exclusively as a pumper, ladder truck, rescue vehicle, searchlight truck, or other fire apparatus, but not a vehicle of a type which would otherwise be subject to registration as a vehicle of the first division;

(6) Any vehicle which is owned and operated by the federal government and externally displays evidence of federal ownership. It is the policy of the State of Illinois to promote and encourage the fullest use of its highways and to enhance the flow of commerce thus contributing to the economic, agricultural, industrial and social growth and development of this State, by authorizing the Secretary of State to negotiate and enter into reciprocal or proportional agreements or arrangements with other States, or to issue declarations setting forth reciprocal exemptions, benefits and privileges with respect to vehicles operated interstate which are properly registered in this and other States, assuring nevertheless proper registration of vehicles in Illinois as may be required by this Code;

(7) Any converter dolly or tow dolly which merely serves as substitute wheels for another legally licensed vehicle. A title may be issued on a voluntary basis to a tow dolly upon receipt of the manufacturer's certificate of origin or the bill of sale;

(8) Any house trailer found to be an abandoned mobile home under the Abandoned Mobile Home Act;

(9) Any vehicle that is not properly registered or does not have registration plates or digital registration plates issued to the owner or operator affixed thereto, or that does have registration plates or digital registration plates issued to the owner or operator affixed thereto but the plates are not appropriate for the weight of the vehicle, provided that this exemption shall apply only while the vehicle is being transported or operated by a towing service and has a third tow plate affixed to it.

B. Reciprocity. Any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer need not be registered under this Code provided the same is operated interstate and in accordance with the following provisions and any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto:

(1) A nonresident owner, except as otherwise provided in this Section, owning any foreign registered vehicle of a type otherwise subject to registration hereunder, may operate or permit the operation of such vehicle within this State in interstate commerce without registering such vehicle in, or paying any fees to, this State subject to the condition that such vehicle at all times when operated in this State is operated pursuant to a reciprocity agreement, arrangement or declaration by this State, and further subject to the condition that such vehicle at all times when operated in this State is duly registered in, and displays upon it, a valid registration card and registration plate or plates or digital registration plate or plates issued for such vehicle in the place of residence of such owner and is issued and maintains in such vehicle a valid Illinois reciprocity permit as required by the Secretary of State, and provided like privileges are afforded to residents of this State by the State of residence of such owner.

Every nonresident including any foreign corporation carrying on business within this State and owning and regularly operating in such business any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer within this State in intrastate commerce, shall be required to register each such vehicle and pay the same fees therefor as is required with reference to like vehicles owned by residents of this State.

(2) Any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer operated interstate need not be registered in this State, provided:

(a) that the vehicle is properly registered in another State pursuant to law or to a reciprocity agreement, arrangement or declaration; or

(b) that such vehicle is part of a fleet of vehicles owned or operated by the same person who registers such fleet of vehicles pro rata among the various States in which such fleet operates; or

(c) that such vehicle is part of a fleet of vehicles, a portion of which are registered with the Secretary of State of Illinois in accordance with an agreement or arrangement concurred in by the Secretary of State of Illinois based on one or more of the following factors: ratio of miles in Illinois as against total miles in all jurisdictions; situs or base of a vehicle, or where it is principally garaged, or from whence it is principally dispatched or where the movements of such vehicle usually originate; situs of the residence of the owner or operator thereof, or of his principal office or offices, or of his places of business; the routes traversed and whether regular or irregular routes are traversed, and the jurisdictions traversed and served; and such other factors as may be deemed material by the Secretary and the motor vehicle administrators of the other jurisdictions involved in such apportionment. Such vehicles shall maintain therein any reciprocity permit which may be required by the Secretary of State pursuant to rules and regulations which the Secretary of State may promulgate in the administration of this Code, in the public interest.

(3)(a) In order to effectuate the purposes of this Code, the Secretary of State of Illinois is empowered to negotiate and execute written reciprocal agreements or arrangements with the duly authorized representatives of other jurisdictions, including States, districts, territories and possessions of the United States, and foreign states, provinces, or countries, granting to owners or operators of vehicles duly registered or licensed in such other jurisdictions and for which evidence of compliance is supplied, benefits, privileges and exemption from the payment, wholly or partially, of any taxes, fees or other charges imposed with respect to the ownership or operation of such vehicles by the laws of this State except the tax imposed by the Motor Fuel Tax Law, approved March 25, 1929, as amended, and the tax imposed by the Use Tax Act, approved July 14, 1955, as amended.

The Secretary of State may negotiate agreements or arrangements as are in the best interests of this State and the residents of this State pursuant to the policies expressed in this Section taking into consideration the reciprocal exemptions, benefits and privileges available and accruing to residents of this State and vehicles registered in this State.

(b) Such reciprocal agreements or arrangements shall provide that vehicles duly registered or licensed in this State when operated upon the highways of such other jurisdictions, shall receive exemptions, benefits and privileges of a similar kind or to a similar degree as extended to vehicles from such jurisdictions in this State.

(c) Such agreements or arrangements may also authorize the apportionment of registration or licensing of fleets of vehicles operated interstate, based on any or all of the following factors: ratio of miles in Illinois as against total miles in all jurisdictions; situs or base of a vehicle, or where it is principally garaged or from whence it is principally dispatched or where the movements of such vehicle usually originate; situs of the residence of the owner or operator thereof, or of his principal office or offices, or of his places of business; the routes traversed and whether regular or irregular routes are traversed, and the jurisdictions traversed and served; and such other factors as may be deemed material by the Secretary and the motor vehicle administrators of the other jurisdictions involved in such apportionment, and such vehicles shall likewise be entitled to reciprocal exemptions, benefits and privileges.

(d) Such agreements or arrangements shall also provide that vehicles being operated in intrastate commerce in Illinois shall comply with the registration and licensing laws of this State, except that vehicles which are part of an apportioned fleet may conduct an intrastate operation incidental to their interstate operations. Any motor vehicle properly registered and qualified under any reciprocal agreement or arrangement under this Code and not having a situs or base within Illinois may complete the inbound movement of a trailer or semitrailer to an Illinois destination that was brought into Illinois by a motor vehicle also properly registered and qualified under this Code and not having a situs or base within Illinois, or may complete an outbound movement of a trailer or semitrailer to an out-of-state destination that was originated in Illinois by a motor vehicle also properly registered and qualified under this Code and not having a situs or base in Illinois, only if the operator thereof did not break bulk of the cargo laden in such inbound or outbound trailer or semitrailer. Adding or unloading intrastate cargo on such inbound or outbound trailer or semitrailer shall be deemed as breaking bulk.

(e) Such agreements or arrangements may also provide for the determination of the proper State in which leased vehicles shall be registered based on the factors set out in subsection (c) above and for apportionment of registration of fleets of leased vehicles by the lessee or by the lessor who leases such vehicles to persons who are not fleet operators.

(f) Such agreements or arrangements may also include reciprocal exemptions, benefits or privileges accruing under The Illinois Driver Licensing Law or The Driver License Compact.

(4) The Secretary of State is further authorized to examine the laws and requirements of other jurisdictions, and, in the absence of a written agreement or arrangement, to issue a written declaration of the extent and nature of the exemptions, benefits and privileges accorded to vehicles of this State by such other jurisdictions, and the extent and nature of reciprocal exemptions, benefits and privileges thereby accorded by this State to the vehicles of such other jurisdictions. A declaration by the Secretary of State may include any, part or all reciprocal exemptions, benefits and privileges or provisions as may be included within an agreement or arrangement.

(5) All agreements, arrangements, declarations and amendments thereto, shall be in writing and become effective when signed by the Secretary of State, and copies of all such documents shall be available to the public upon request.

(6) The Secretary of State is further authorized to require the display by foreign registered trucks, truck-tractors and buses, entitled to reciprocal benefits, exemptions or privileges hereunder, a reciprocity permit for external display before any such reciprocal benefits, exemptions or privileges are granted. The Secretary of State shall provide suitable application forms for such permit and shall promulgate and publish reasonable rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Code including a provision for revocation of such permit as to any vehicle operated wilfully in violation of the terms of any reciprocal agreement, arrangement or declaration or in violation of the Illinois Motor Carrier of Property Law, as amended.

(7)(a) Upon the suspension, revocation or denial of one or more of all reciprocal benefits, privileges and exemptions existing pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Code or by virtue of a reciprocal agreement or arrangement or declaration thereunder; or, upon the suspension, revocation or denial of a reciprocity permit; or, upon any action or inaction of the Secretary in the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Code, any person, resident or nonresident, so aggrieved, may serve upon the Secretary, a petition in writing and under oath, setting forth the grievance of the petitioner, the grounds and basis for the relief sought, and all necessary facts and particulars, and request an administrative hearing thereon. Within 20 days, the Secretary shall set a hearing date as early as practical. The Secretary may, in his discretion, supply forms for such a petition. The Secretary may require the payment of a fee of not more than $50 for the filing of any petition, motion, or request for hearing conducted pursuant to this Section. These fees must be deposited into the Secretary of State DUI Administration Fund, a special fund that is hereby created in the State treasury, and, subject to appropriation and as directed by the Secretary of State, shall be used to fund the operation of the hearings department of the Office of the Secretary of State and for no other purpose. The Secretary shall establish by rule the amount and the procedures, terms, and conditions relating to these fees.

(b) The Secretary may likewise, in his discretion and upon his own petition, order a hearing, when in his best judgment, any person is not entitled to the reciprocal benefits, privileges and exemptions existing pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Code or under a reciprocal agreement or arrangement or declaration thereunder or that a vehicle owned or operated by such person is improperly registered or licensed, or that an Illinois resident has improperly registered or licensed a vehicle in another jurisdiction for the purposes of violating or avoiding the registration laws of this State.

(c) The Secretary shall notify a petitioner or any other person involved of such a hearing, by giving at least 10 days notice, in writing, by U.S. Mail, Registered or Certified, or by personal service, at the last known address of such petitioner or person, specifying the time and place of such hearing. Such hearing shall be held before the Secretary, or any person as he may designate, and unless the parties mutually agree to some other county in Illinois, the hearing shall be held in the County of Sangamon or the County of Cook. Appropriate records of the hearing shall be kept, and the Secretary shall issue or cause to be issued, his decision on the case, within 30 days after the close of such hearing or within 30 days after receipt of the transcript thereof, and a copy shall likewise be served or mailed to the petitioner or person involved.

(d) The actions or inactions or determinations, or findings and decisions upon an administrative hearing, of the Secretary, shall be subject to judicial review in the Circuit Court of the County of Sangamon or the County of Cook, and the provisions of the Administrative Review Law, and all amendments and modifications thereof and rules adopted pursuant thereto, apply to and govern all such reviewable matters.

Any reciprocal agreements or arrangements entered into by the Secretary of State or any declarations issued by the Secretary of State pursuant to any law in effect prior to the effective date of this Code are not hereby abrogated, and such shall continue in force and effect until amended pursuant to the provisions of this Code or expire pursuant to the terms or provisions thereof.

C. Vehicles purchased out-of-state. A resident of this State who purchases a vehicle in another state and transports the vehicle to Illinois shall apply for registration and certificate of title as soon as practicable, but in no event more than 45 days after the purchase of the vehicle. If an Illinois motorist who purchased a vehicle from an out-of-state licensed dealer is unable to meet the 45-day deadline due to a delay in paperwork from the seller, that motorist may obtain an Illinois temporary registration plate with: (i) proof of purchase; (ii) proof of meeting the Illinois driver's license or identification card requirement; and (iii) proof that Illinois title and registration fees have been paid. If fees have not been paid, the motorist may pay the fees in order to obtain the temporary registration plate. The owner of such a vehicle shall display any temporary permit or registration issued in accordance with Section 3-407.

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

(625 ILCS 5/3-402.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-402.1)

Sec. 3-402.1. Proportional registration. Any owner or rental owner engaged in operating a fleet of apportionable vehicles in this State and one or more other states may, in lieu of registration of such vehicles under the general provisions of Sections 3-402, 3-815, 3-815.1, and 3-819, register and license such fleet for operations in this State by filing an application statement, signed under penalties of perjury, with the Secretary of State which shall be in such form and contain such information as the Secretary of State shall require, declaring the total mileage operated in all states by such fleet, the total mileage operated in this state by such fleet during the preceding year, and describing and identifying each apportionable vehicle to be operated in this State during the ensuing year. If mileage data is not available for the preceding year, the Secretary of State may accept the latest 12-month period available. "Preceding year" means the period of 12 consecutive months immediately prior to July 1st of the year immediately preceding the registration or license year for which proportional registration is sought.

Such owner shall determine the proportion of in-state miles to total fleet miles. Such percentage figure shall be such owner's apportionment factor. In determining the total fee payment, such owner shall first compute the license fee or fees for each vehicle within the fleet which would otherwise be required, and then multiply the said amount by the Illinois apportionment factor adding the fees for each vehicle to arrive at a total amount for the fleet. Apportionable trailers and semitrailers will be registered in accordance with the provisions of Section 3-813 of this Code.

Upon receipt of the appropriate fees from such owner as computed under the provisions of this Section, the Secretary of State shall, when this State is the base jurisdiction, issue to such owner number plates or other distinctive tags or such evidence of registration as the Secretary of State shall deem appropriate to identify each vehicle in the fleet as a part of a proportionally registered interstate fleet.

Vehicles registered under the provision of this Section shall be considered fully licensed and properly registered in Illinois for any type of movement or operation. The proportional registration and licensing provisions of this Section shall apply to vehicles added to fleets and operated in this State during the registration year, applying the same apportionment factor to such fees as would be payable for the remainder of the registration year.

Apportionment factors for apportionable vehicles not operated in this State during the preceding year shall be determined by the Secretary of State on the basis of a full statement of the proposed methods of operation and in conformity with an estimated mileage chart as calculated by the Secretary of State. An established fleet adding states at the time of renewal shall estimate mileage for the added states in conformity with a mileage chart developed by the Secretary of State.

(Source: P.A. 93-23, eff. 6-20-03.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-402.2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-402.2)

Sec. 3-402.2. Audits. In addition to audit authority set forth in Section 2-124 of this Act, the Secretary of State, when this state is the base jurisdiction, may audit such owners displaying a base plate of this state as to authenticity of mileage figures and registrations and at such time and frequency as determined by the Secretary of State. Audits may be made by officials of other jurisdictions which are members of an International Registration Plan (IRP) of which this state is also a member.

Upon completion of any such audit, the Secretary of State shall notify all jurisdictions in which such owner was proportionally registered on the accuracy of the records of such owner. Should such owner have underpaid or overpaid any jurisdiction in which his vehicles were proportionally registered, such information shall be furnished to the jurisdiction for processing in accordance with the procedures as set forth under the International Registration Plan.

(Source: P.A. 92-69, eff. 7-12-01.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-402.3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-402.3)

Sec. 3-402.3. Relation to Other State Laws. The provisions of Section 3-402.1 shall constitute complete authority for the registration of vehicles upon a proportional registration basis without reference to or application of any other statutes of this state.

(Source: P.A. 79-1041.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-402.4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-402.4)

Sec. 3-402.4. Administrative Agreements and Rules. The Secretary of State may enter into agreements, compacts, or arrangements with other jurisdictions or agents for such jurisdictions, such as the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, on behalf of this state for allocation or proportional registration of apportionable vehicles in a manner provided in Section 3-402.1 for the purpose of facilitating the administration thereof, and also for the purpose of conforming procedures for proportional registration, pursuant to Sections 3-402.1 and 3-402.2, with those agreed to by two or more additional jurisdictions, including but not limited to, acceptance of base jurisdiction responsibilities for apportional registration and licensing of fleet vehicles in other jurisdiction. In addition, the Secretary of State may adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as he shall deem necessary to effectuate and administer the provisions of Sections 3-402.1 and 3-402.2. Any reciprocal arrangements or agreements in effect with jurisdictions that cannot grant proportional registration shall remain in force until specifically cancelled by either jurisdiction or until such time that jurisdiction becomes a member of an International Registration Plan (IRP) of which this state is also a member.

(Source: P.A. 87-206.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-403) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-403)

Sec. 3-403. Trip and Short-term permits.

(a) The Secretary of State may issue a short-term permit to operate a nonregistered first or second division vehicle within the State of Illinois for a period of not more than 7 days. Any second division vehicle operating on such permit may operate only on empty weight. The fee for the short-term permit shall be $6 for permits purchased on or before June 30, 2003 and $10 for permits purchased on or after July 1, 2003. For short-term permits purchased on or after July 1, 2003, $4 of the fee collected for the purchase of each permit shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.

This permit may also be issued to operate an unladen registered vehicle which is suspended under the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Law and allow it to be driven on the roads and highways of the State in order to be repaired or when traveling to and from an emissions inspection station.

(b) The Secretary of State may, subject to reciprocal agreements, arrangements or declarations made or entered into pursuant to Section 3-402, 3-402.4 or by rule, provide for and issue registration permits for the use of Illinois highways by vehicles of the second division on an occasional basis or for a specific and special short-term use, in compliance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State, and upon payment of the prescribed fee as follows:

One-trip permits. A registration permit for one trip, or one round-trip into and out of Illinois, for a period not to exceed 72 consecutive hours or 3 calendar days may be provided, for a fee as prescribed in Section 3-811.

Three-month permits. A registration permit for 90 days may be provided for a fee of $13 for registration plus 1/10 of the flat weight tax.

In-transit permits. A registration permit for one trip may be provided for vehicles in transit by the driveaway or towaway method and operated by a transporter in compliance with the Illinois Motor Carrier of Property Law, for a fee as prescribed in Section 3-811.

Illinois Temporary Apportionment Authorization Permits. An apportionment authorization permit for forty-five days for the immediate operation of a vehicle upon application for and prior to receiving apportioned credentials or interstate credentials from the State of Illinois. The fee for such permit shall be $3.

Illinois Temporary Prorate Authorization Permit. A prorate authorization permit for forty-five days for the immediate operation of a vehicle upon application for and prior to receiving prorate credentials or interstate credentials from the State of Illinois. The fee for such permit shall be $3.

(c) The Secretary of State shall promulgate by such rule or regulation, schedules of fees and taxes for such permits and in computing the amount or amounts due, may round off such amount to the nearest full dollar amount.

(d) The Secretary of State shall further prescribe the form of application and permit and may require such information and data as necessary and proper, including confirming the status or identity of the applicant and the vehicle in question.

(e) Rules or regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State under this Section shall provide for reasonable and proper limitations and restrictions governing the application for and issuance and use of permits, and shall provide for the number of permits per vehicle or per applicant, so as to preclude evasion of annual registration requirements as may be required by this Act.

(f) Any permit under this Section is subject to suspension or revocation under this Act, and in addition, any such permit is subject to suspension or revocation should the Secretary of State determine that the vehicle identified in any permit should be properly registered in Illinois. In the event any such permit is suspended or revoked, the permit is then null and void, may not be re-instated, nor is a refund therefor available. The vehicle identified in such permit may not thereafter be operated in Illinois without being properly registered as provided in this Chapter.

(Source: P.A. 102-154, eff. 1-1-22.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-404) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-404)

Sec. 3-404. Vehicles of second division carrying persons or property - Required documents. The Secretary of State shall require an appropriate document, including but not limited to a bill of lading, trip manifest or dispatch record, to be carried, on all vehicles of the second division, carrying persons or property setting forth therein:

(a) the point of origin and destination of the vehicle and its cargo or the persons being carried;

(b) whether the movement is for-hire or not-for-hire; and

(c) whether the movement is intrastate or interstate as defined by this Act.

The Secretary of State shall promulgate and publish reasonable rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this requirement. Vehicles bearing valid current Illinois registration plate or plates or digital registration plate or plates and registration stickers or digital registration stickers where applicable shall be exempted from such requirement by the Secretary of State whether the movement is "intrastate" or "interstate" as defined in this Act.

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

(625 ILCS 5/3-405) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-405)

Sec. 3-405. Application for registration.

(a) Every owner of a vehicle subject to registration under this Code shall make application to the Secretary of State for the registration of such vehicle upon the appropriate form or forms furnished by the Secretary. Every such original application shall bear the signature of the owner written with pen and ink and contain:

1. The name, domicile address, as defined in Section 1-115.5 of this Code, (except as otherwise provided in this paragraph 1), mail address of the owner or business address of the owner if a firm, association, or corporation, and, if available, email address of the owner. If the mailing address is a post office box number, the address listed on the driver license record may be used to verify residence. A police officer, a deputy sheriff, an elected sheriff, a law enforcement officer for the Illinois State Police, a fire investigator, a state's attorney, an assistant state's attorney, a state's attorney special investigator, or a judicial officer may elect to furnish the address of the headquarters of the governmental entity, police district, or business address where he or she works instead of his or her domicile address, in which case that address shall be deemed to be his or her domicile address for all purposes under this Chapter 3. The spouse and children of a person who may elect under this paragraph 1 to furnish the address of the headquarters of the government entity, police district, or business address where the person works instead of the person's domicile address may, if they reside with that person, also elect to furnish the address of the headquarters of the government entity, police district, or business address where the person works as their domicile address, in which case that address shall be deemed to be their domicile address for all purposes under this Chapter 3. In this paragraph 1: (A) "police officer" has the meaning ascribed to "policeman" in Section 10-3-1 of the Illinois Municipal Code; (B) "deputy sheriff" means a deputy sheriff appointed under Section 3-6008 of the Counties Code; (C) "elected sheriff" means a sheriff commissioned pursuant to Section 3-6001 of the Counties Code; (D) "fire investigator" means a person classified as a peace officer under the Peace Officer Fire Investigation Act; (E) "state's attorney", "assistant state's attorney", and "state's attorney special investigator" mean a state's attorney, assistant state's attorney, and state's attorney special investigator commissioned or appointed under Division 3-9 of the Counties Code; and (F) "judicial officer" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1-10 of the Judicial Privacy Act.

2. A description of the vehicle, including such information as is required in an application for a certificate of title, determined under such standard rating as may be prescribed by the Secretary.

3. (Blank).

3.5. A space for a voluntary disclosure of a condition that impedes effective communication under Section 3-405.5.

4. Such further information as may reasonably be required by the Secretary to enable him to determine whether the vehicle is lawfully entitled to registration and the owner entitled to a certificate of title.

5. An affirmation by the applicant that all information set forth is true and correct. If the application is for the registration of a motor vehicle, the applicant also shall affirm that the motor vehicle is insured as required by this Code, that such insurance will be maintained throughout the period for which the motor vehicle shall be registered, and that neither the owner, nor any person operating the motor vehicle with the owner's permission, shall operate the motor vehicle unless the required insurance is in effect. If the person signing the affirmation is not the sole owner of the vehicle, such person shall be deemed to have affirmed on behalf of all the owners of the vehicle. If the person signing the affirmation is not an owner of the vehicle, such person shall be deemed to have affirmed on behalf of the owner or owners of the vehicle. The lack of signature on the application shall not in any manner exempt the owner or owners from any provisions, requirements or penalties of this Code.

(b) When such application refers to a new vehicle purchased from a dealer the application shall be accompanied by a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin from the dealer, and a statement showing any lien retained by the dealer.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-1069, eff. 7-1-23.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-405.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-405.1)

Sec. 3-405.1. Application for vanity and personalized license plates.

(a) Vanity license plates mean any license plates, assigned to a passenger motor vehicle of the first division, to a motor vehicle of the second division registered at not more than 8,000 pounds, to a trailer weighing 8,000 pounds or less paying the flat weight tax, to a funeral home vehicle, an electric vehicle, or a recreational vehicle, which display a registration number containing 1 to 7 letters and no numbers or 1, 2, or 3 numbers and no letters as requested by the owner of the vehicle and license plates issued to retired members of Congress under Section 3-610.1 or to retired members of the General Assembly as provided in Section 3-606.1. Personalized license plates mean any license plates, assigned to a passenger motor vehicle of the first division, to a motor vehicle of the second division registered at not more than 8,000 pounds, to a trailer weighing 8,000 pounds or less paying the flat weight tax, to a funeral home vehicle, an electric vehicle, or a recreational vehicle, which display a registration number containing one of the following combinations of letters and numbers, as requested by the owner of the vehicle:

Standard Passenger Plates

First Division Vehicles

1 letter plus 0-99

2 letters plus 0-99

3 letters plus 0-99

4 letters plus 0-99

5 letters plus 0-99

6 letters plus 0-9

Second Division Vehicles

8,000 pounds or less, Trailers

8,000 pounds or less paying the flat

weight tax, and Recreation Vehicles

0-999 plus 1 letter

0-999 plus 2 letters

0-999 plus 3 letters

0-99 plus 4 letters

0-9 plus 5 letters

(b) For any registration period commencing after December 31, 2003, any person who is the registered owner of a passenger motor vehicle of the first division, of a motor vehicle of the second division registered at not more than 8,000 pounds, of a trailer weighing 8,000 pounds or less paying the flat weight tax, of a funeral home vehicle, of an electric vehicle, or of a recreational vehicle registered with the Secretary of State or who makes application for an original registration of such a motor vehicle or renewal registration of such a motor vehicle may, upon payment of a fee prescribed in Section 3-806.1 or Section 3-806.5, apply to the Secretary of State for vanity or personalized license plates.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter 3, vanity and personalized license plates as issued under this Section shall be the same color and design as other passenger vehicle license plates or electric vehicle license plates and shall not in any manner conflict with any other existing passenger, commercial, trailer, motorcycle, or special license plate series. However, special registration plates issued under Sections 3-611 and 3-616 for vehicles operated by or for persons with disabilities may also be vanity or personalized license plates.

(d) Vanity and personalized license plates shall be issued only to the registered owner of the vehicle on which they are to be displayed, except as provided in Sections 3-611 and 3-616 for special registration plates for vehicles operated by or for persons with disabilities.

(e) An applicant for the issuance of vanity or personalized license plates or subsequent renewal thereof shall file an application in such form and manner and by such date as the Secretary of State may, in his discretion, require.

No vanity nor personalized license plates shall be approved, manufactured, or distributed that contain any characters, symbols other than the international accessibility symbol for vehicles operated by or for persons with disabilities, foreign words, or letters of punctuation.

(f) Vanity and personalized license plates as issued pursuant to this Act may be subject to the Staggered Registration System as prescribed by the Secretary of State.

(g) For purposes of this Section, "funeral home vehicle" means any motor vehicle of the first division or motor vehicle of the second division weighing 8,000 pounds or less that is owned or leased by a funeral home.

(h) As used in this Section, "electric vehicle" means any vehicle that is required to be registered under Section 3-805.

(Source: P.A. 102-154, eff. 1-1-22.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-405.2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-405.2)

Sec. 3-405.2. Improper plates. The Secretary of State shall refuse to issue any license plates bearing a combination of letters or numbers, or both, which creates a potential duplication or, in the opinion of the Secretary, (1) would substantially interfere with plate identification for law enforcement purposes, (2) is misleading, or (3) creates a connotation that is offensive to good taste and decency.

The Secretary may revoke any such plates issued previously. Any person who has his or her plates revoked under this Section may acquire at no charge new plates and any required stickers of the same category and for the same period of registration.

(Source: P.A. 83-449.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-405.3)

Sec. 3-405.3. Application for fleet vehicles.

(a) An owner engaged in operating a fleet of motor vehicles of the first division in this State or a fleet of second division vehicles operated intrastate may register and license the fleet for operations in this State by filing an application statement with the Secretary of State, signed under penalties of perjury, which shall be in the form and contain the information required by the Secretary of State. First division vehicles registered under this Section must be registered in accordance with the fees prescribed in Section 3-806 of this Code. Second division vehicles registered under this Section must be registered in accordance with the fees prescribed in Section 3-815 of this Code.

(b) Participation in the fleet registration plan may be accomplished only by entering into a contractual agreement with the Secretary. The applicant must have electronic data interchange capabilities. The Secretary shall in his or her discretion determine other qualifications for fleet owners to register under this paragraph. In making the determination, the Secretary shall consider the size of the fleet and the past history of the registrant.

(Source: P.A. 92-629, eff. 7-1-03.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-405.4)

Sec. 3-405.4. Audits. In addition to audit authority set forth in Section 2-124 of this Code, the Secretary of State may audit the registration plates and the inventory of credentials of any fleet owner participating in the fleet registration plan.

(Source: P.A. 92-629, eff. 7-1-03.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-405.5)

Sec. 3-405.5. Registration by an owner with a condition that impedes effective communication.

(a) An application for registration must provide space where the applicant voluntarily may indicate that the applicant, child of the applicant, or other approved driver of the registered vehicle has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication with a peace officer. The application shall include a checklist of common health conditions and disabilities that impede effective communication from which the applicant may select. The checklist shall also include a blank space for the applicant to specify a condition that is not listed. The Secretary of State may request from a person who makes an indication under this subsection verification of a condition in the form of:

(1) for a physical health condition, a written statement from a licensed physician; or

(2) for a mental health condition, a written statement from a licensed physician, a licensed psychologist, or a nonphysician mental health professional.

(b) The Secretary shall provide to the Illinois State Police the vehicle registration information of a person who indicated on an application under subsection (a) that the person, child of the person, or other approved driver of the registered vehicle has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication. The Secretary may not provide to the Illinois State Police information that shows the person's specific health condition or disability, or that of another approved driver of the registered vehicle, unless the person authorizes the disclosure of the specific health condition or disability.

(c) The Illinois State Police shall establish a system to include information received under subsection (b) in the statewide Law Enforcement Agencies Data System for the purpose of alerting a peace officer who makes a traffic stop that the operator or a child passenger of the stopped vehicle may have a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication.

(d) The Illinois State Police may not make information received under subsection (b) available in the statewide Law Enforcement Agencies Data System to a person who has access to the system under a contract unless the contract prohibits the person from disclosing that information to a person who is not subject to the contract.

(e) Except as otherwise provided by this Section, information supplied to the Secretary relating to an applicant's health condition or disability, or that of another approved driver of the registered vehicle, may not be disclosed to any person. Such information is for the confidential use of the Secretary and the Illinois State Police.

(Source: P.A. 102-1069, eff. 7-1-23.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-406) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-406)

Sec. 3-406. Application for specially constructed, reconstructed, custom, street rod, foreign vehicles, or glider kits.

(a) In the event the vehicle to be registered is a specially constructed, reconstructed or foreign vehicle, such fact shall be stated in the application and with reference to every foreign vehicle which has been registered heretofore outside of this State the owner shall surrender to the Secretary of State all registration plates, registration cards or other evidence of such foreign registration as may be in his possession or under his control except as provided in subdivision (b) hereof.

(b) Where in the course of interstate operation of a vehicle registered in another State, it is desirable to retain registration of said vehicle in such other State, such applicant need not surrender but shall submit for inspection said evidences of such foreign registration and the Secretary of State upon a proper showing shall register said vehicle in this State but shall not issue a certificate of title for such vehicle.

(c) In the event the applicant seeks to have the vehicle registered as a custom vehicle or street rod, that fact must be stated in the application. Prior to registration, custom vehicles or street rods must be inspected by the Secretary of State Department of Police. Upon successful completion of the inspection, the vehicle may be registered in the following manner. The make of the vehicle shall be listed as the make of the actual vehicle or the make it is designed to resemble (e.g., Ford or Chevrolet); the model of the vehicle shall be listed as custom vehicle or street rod; and the year of the vehicle shall be listed as the year the actual vehicle was manufactured or the year it is designed to resemble.

(d) In the event the applicant seeks to have the vehicle registered as a glider kit, that fact must be stated in the application. Each glider kit sought to be registered shall be inspected by the Secretary of State Department of Police who shall verify the chassis, cab, front axle, and other essential parts as acceptable. Upon successful completion of the inspection, the vehicle may be registered in the following manner: (1) the make of the vehicle shall be listed as the make of the chassis of the actual manufacturer; (2) the model of the vehicle shall be listed as glider kit; and (3) the year of the vehicle shall be listed as the year presented on the manufacturer's certificate of origin for the chassis, unless no year is presented, then it shall be listed as the year the application is received.

(Source: P.A. 99-748, eff. 8-5-16.)

(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.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-414) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-414)

Sec. 3-414. Expiration of registration.

(a) Every vehicle registration under this Chapter and every registration card and registration plate or digital registration plate or registration sticker or digital registration sticker issued hereunder to a vehicle shall be for the periods specified in this Chapter and shall expire at midnight on the day and date specified in this Section as follows:

1. When registered on a calendar year basis commencing January 1, expiration shall be on the 31st day of December or at such other date as may be selected in the discretion of the Secretary of State; however, through December 31, 2004, registrations of apportionable vehicles, motorcycles, motor driven cycles and pedalcycles shall commence on the first day of April and shall expire March 31st of the following calendar year;

1.1. Beginning January 1, 2005, registrations of motorcycles and motor driven cycles shall commence on January 1 and shall expire on December 31 or on another date that may be selected by the Secretary; registrations of apportionable vehicles and pedalcycles, however, shall commence on the first day of April and shall expire March 31 of the following calendar year;

2. When registered on a 2 calendar year basis commencing January 1 of an even-numbered year, expiration shall be on the 31st day of December of the ensuing odd-numbered year, or at such other later date as may be selected in the discretion of the Secretary of State not beyond March 1 next;

3. When registered on a fiscal year basis commencing July 1, expiration shall be on the 30th day of June or at such other later date as may be selected in the discretion of the Secretary of State not beyond September 1 next;

4. When registered on a 2 fiscal year basis commencing July 1 of an even-numbered year, expiration shall be on the 30th day of June of the ensuing even-numbered year, or at such other later date as may be selected in the discretion of the Secretary of State not beyond September 1 next;

5. When registered on a 4 fiscal year basis commencing July 1 of an even-numbered year, expiration shall be on the 30th day of June of the second ensuing even-numbered year, or at such other later date as may be selected in the discretion of the Secretary of State not beyond September 1 next.

(a-5) The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, require an owner of a motor vehicle of the first division or a motor vehicle of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds to select the owner's birthday as the date of registration expiration under this Section. If the motor vehicle has more than one registered owner, the owners may select one registered owner's birthday as the date of registration expiration. The Secretary may adopt any rules necessary to implement this subsection.

(b) Vehicle registrations of vehicles of the first division shall be for a calendar year, 2 calendar year, 3 calendar year, or 5 calendar year basis as provided for in this Chapter.

Vehicle registrations of vehicles under Sections 3-808 and 3-809 shall be on an indefinite term basis or a 2 calendar year basis as provided for in this Chapter.

Vehicle registrations for vehicles of the second division shall be for a fiscal year, 2 fiscal year or calendar year basis as provided for in this Chapter.

Motor vehicles registered under the provisions of Section 3-402.1 shall be issued multi-year registration plates or digital registration plates with a new registration card issued annually upon payment of the appropriate fees. Motor vehicles registered under the provisions of Section 3-405.3 shall be issued multi-year registration plates or digital registration plates with a new multi-year registration card issued pursuant to subsections (j), (k), and (l) of this Section upon payment of the appropriate fees. Apportionable trailers and apportionable semitrailers registered under the provisions of Section 3-402.1 shall be issued multi-year registration plates or digital registration plates and cards that will be subject to revocation for failure to pay annual fees required by Section 3-814.1. The Secretary shall determine when these vehicles shall be issued new registration plates or digital registration plates.

(c) Every vehicle registration specified in Section 3-810 and every registration card and registration plate or digital registration plate or registration sticker or digital registration sticker issued thereunder shall expire on the 31st day of December of each year or at such other date as may be selected in the discretion of the Secretary of State.

(d) Every vehicle registration for a vehicle of the second division weighing over 8,000 pounds, except as provided in subsection (g) of this Section, and every registration card and registration plate or registration sticker, or digital registration plate or digital registration sticker, where applicable, issued hereunder to such vehicles shall be issued for a fiscal year commencing on July 1st of each registration year. However, the Secretary of State may, pursuant to an agreement or arrangement or declaration providing for apportionment of a fleet of vehicles with other jurisdictions, provide for registration of such vehicles under apportionment or for all of the vehicles registered in Illinois by an applicant who registers some of his vehicles under apportionment on a calendar year basis instead, and the fees or taxes to be paid on a calendar year basis shall be identical to those specified in this Code for a fiscal year registration. Provision for installment payment may also be made.

(e) Semitrailer registrations under apportionment may be on a calendar year under a reciprocal agreement or arrangement and all other semitrailer registrations shall be on fiscal year or 2 fiscal year or 4 fiscal year basis as provided for in this Chapter.

(f) The Secretary of State may convert annual registration plates or digital registration plates or 2-year registration plates or digital registration plates, whether registered on a calendar year or fiscal year basis, to multi-year plates. The determination of which plate categories and when to convert to multi-year plates is solely within the discretion of the Secretary of State.

(g) After January 1, 1975, each registration, registration card and registration plate or digital registration plate or registration sticker or digital registration sticker, where applicable, issued for a recreational vehicle or recreational or camping trailer, except a house trailer, used exclusively by the owner for recreational purposes, and not used commercially nor as a truck or bus, nor for hire, shall be on a calendar year basis; except that the Secretary of State shall provide for registration and the issuance of registration cards and plates or registration stickers, or digital registration plates or stickers, where applicable, for one 6-month period in order to accomplish an orderly transition from a fiscal year to a calendar year basis. Fees and taxes due under this Code for a registration year shall be appropriately reduced for such 6-month transitional registration period.

(h) The Secretary of State may, in order to accomplish an orderly transition for vehicles registered under Section 3-402.1 of this Code from a calendar year registration to a March 31st expiration, require applicants to pay fees and taxes due under this Code on a 15 month registration basis. However, if in the discretion of the Secretary of State this creates an undue hardship on any applicant the Secretary may allow the applicant to pay 3 month fees and taxes at the time of registration and the additional 12 month fees and taxes to be payable no later than March 31, 1992.

(i) The Secretary of State may stagger registrations, or change the annual expiration date, as necessary for the convenience of the public and the efficiency of his Office. In order to appropriately and effectively accomplish any such staggering, the Secretary of State is authorized to prorate all required registration fees, rounded to the nearest dollar, but in no event for a period longer than 18 months, at a monthly rate for a 12-month registration fee.

(j) The Secretary of State may enter into an agreement with a rental owner, as defined in Section 3-400 of this Code, who registers a fleet of motor vehicles of the first division pursuant to Section 3-405.3 of this Code to provide for the registration of the rental owner's vehicles on a 2 or 3 calendar year basis and the issuance of multi-year registration plates or digital registration plates with a new registration card issued up to every 3 years.

(k) The Secretary of State may provide multi-year registration cards for any registered fleet of motor vehicles of the first or second division that are registered pursuant to Section 3-405.3 of this Code. Each motor vehicle of the registered fleet must carry a unique multi-year registration card that displays the vehicle identification number of the registered motor vehicle. The Secretary of State shall promulgate rules in order to implement multi-year registrations.

(l) Beginning with the 2018 registration year, the Secretary of State may enter into an agreement with a rental owner, as defined in Section 3-400 of this Code, who registers a fleet of motor vehicles of the first division under Section 3-405.3 of this Code to provide for the registration of the rental owner's vehicle on a 5 calendar year basis. Motor vehicles registered on a 5 calendar year basis shall be issued a distinct registration plate or digital registration plate that expires on a 5-year cycle. The Secretary may prorate the registration of these registration plates or digital registration plates to the length of time remaining in the 5-year cycle. The Secretary may adopt any rules necessary to implement this subsection.

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18; 100-956, eff. 1-1-19; 101-395, eff. 8-16-19.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-414.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-414.1)

Sec. 3-414.1. Term of multi-year registration plates.

(a) Registration plates issued for motor vehicles shall be valid for an indefinite term of not less than one year. Registration plates issued as two-year or five-year plates may be issued as multi-year plates at the discretion of the Secretary of State. Current renewal registration stickers, when necessary, are to be attached as provided in Section 3-413. The Secretary may in his discretion prescribe a term greater than one year or may extend the term of current registration plates for an additional calendar year by appropriate public announcement made before August 1 of the current registration year.

(b) Registration plates issued to owners of vehicles subject to annual registration for the first time during the term of the plates shall be valid until the expiration of the term. Current annual registration stickers are to be attached as provided in Section 3-413.

(Source: P.A. 99-80, eff. 1-1-16.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-414.5)

Sec. 3-414.5. Multi-year registration.

(a) The Secretary of State shall permit the owner of a motor vehicle of the first division or a motor vehicle of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds or a motor vehicle of the second division applying for a C class registration plate to register the motor vehicle for a period of 2 years if the owner selects to register his or her motor vehicle under this Section.

(1) If the motor vehicle to be registered is required to undergo emissions inspections, the 2-year registration must coincide with the emissions inspection cycle.

(2) An applicant for a 2-year registration shall apply online or by completing and mailing the appropriate 2-year registration application form to the address indicated on the form.

(3) The owner of a motor vehicle with a 2-year registration may transfer that registration to another motor vehicle with the same emissions inspection requirements, if applicable. The owner of a motor vehicle with a 2-year registration who discontinues use of the registration before the expiration of the 2-year period is not entitled to a complete or a prorated refund of the registration fee.

(4) The fee for a 2-year registration shall be twice the applicable annual registration fee for the motor vehicle being registered. If the owner of a motor vehicle issued registration under this subsection is subject to an annual surcharge under Section 3-806 or 3-815, the Secretary of State shall collect the surcharge for each registration year of the multi-year registration at the same time the Secretary of State collects the one-time registration fee.

(b) The Secretary of State shall permit the owner of a trailer to register the trailer for a period of either one year or up to an extended 5-year registration period.

(1) The registration shall be based on a recurring 5-year registration period. The trailer owner may apply for an annual registration, registration for the full 5 years, or for the number of years remaining in the current 5-year cycle at the time of the registration application.

(2) An applicant for a 5-year trailer registration shall apply online or by completing and mailing the appropriate 5-year registration application form to the address indicated on the form.

(3) The owner of a trailer with a 5-year registration may transfer that registration to another trailer of the same weight class. The owner of a trailer with a 5-year registration who discontinues use of the registration before the expiration of the 5-year period is not entitled to a complete or a prorated refund of the registration fee.

(4) The fee for a 5-year registration shall be the same as the applicable annual registration fee for the trailer being registered multiplied by the number of years remaining in the current 5-year cycle at the time of the registration application.

(c) The Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-986, eff. 1-1-21.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-415) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-415)

Sec. 3-415. Application for and renewal of registration.

(a) Calendar year. Application for renewal of a vehicle registration shall be made by the owner, as to those vehicles required to be registered on a calendar registration year, not later than December 1 of each year, upon proper application and by payment of the registration fee and tax for such vehicle, as provided by law except that application for renewal of a vehicle registration, as to those vehicles required to be registered on a staggered calendar year basis, shall be made by the owner in the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of State.

(b) Fiscal year. Application for renewal of a vehicle registration shall be made by the owner, as to those vehicles required to be registered on a fiscal registration year, not later than June 1 of each year, upon proper application and by payment of the registration fee and tax for such vehicle as provided by law, except that application for renewal of a vehicle registration, as to those vehicles required to be registered on a staggered fiscal year basis, shall be made by the owner in the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of State.

(c) Two calendar years. Application for renewal of a vehicle registration shall be made by the owner, as to those vehicles required to be registered for 2 calendar years, not later than December 1 of the year preceding commencement of the 2-year registration period, except that application for renewal of a vehicle registration, as to those vehicles required to be registered for 2 years on a staggered registration basis, shall be made by the owner in the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of State.

(d) Two fiscal years. Application for renewal of a vehicle registration shall be made by the owner, as to those vehicles required to be registered for 2 fiscal years, not later than June 1 immediately preceding commencement of the 2-year registration period, except that application for renewal of a vehicle registration, as to those vehicles required to be registered for 2 fiscal years on a staggered registration basis, shall be made by the owner in the form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of State.

(d-5) Three calendar years. Application for renewal of a vehicle registration shall be made by the owner, as to those vehicles required to be registered for 3 calendar years, not later than December 1 of the year preceding commencement of the 3-year registration period.

(d-10) Five calendar years. Application for renewal of a vehicle registration shall be made by the owner, as to those vehicles required to be registered for 5 calendar years, not later than December 1 of the year preceding commencement of the 5-year registration period.

(e) Time of application. The Secretary of State may receive applications for renewal of registration and grant the same and issue new registration cards and plates or registration stickers at any time prior to expiration of registration. No person shall display upon a vehicle, the new registration plates or registration stickers prior to the dates the Secretary of State in his discretion may select.

(f) Verification. The Secretary of State may further require, as to vehicles for-hire, that applications be accompanied by verification that fees due under the Illinois Motor Carrier of Property Law, as amended, have been paid.

(g) (Blank).

(h) Returning combat mission veterans. Beginning in registration year 2017, the application for renewal, and subsequent fees, of a vehicle registration for a member of the active-duty or reserve component of the United States Armed Forces returning from a combat mission shall not be required for that service member's next scheduled renewal. Proof of combat mission service shall come from the service member's hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay documentation received any time in the 12 months preceding the registration renewal. Nothing in this subsection is applicable to the additional fees incurred by specialty, personalized, or vanity license plates.

(Source: P.A. 98-539, eff. 1-1-14; 98-787, eff. 7-25-14; 99-32, eff. 7-10-15; 99-80, eff. 1-1-16; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16.)