Moving to Illinois: Insurance, Registration and License Deadlines
New residents usually face two different deadlines handled by two different agencies.
- Register your vehicle within
- 30 days
New residents have 30 days to apply for an Illinois title and registration after establishing residence, provided the vehicle is properly registered in another jurisdiction.
- Get a state license within
- 90 days
A new resident may drive on a valid home-state licence for the first 90 days of Illinois residency. After that an Illinois licence or permit is required.
- Safety inspection
- Not required for passenger cars
Illinois safety tests apply to second division vehicles, buses, school buses, taxis, tow trucks, medical transport and salvage vehicles — not to ordinary first division passenger cars.
- Emissions inspection
- Required in the Chicago and Metro-East St. Louis areas
Most 1996 and newer gasoline passenger vehicles are tested once they are four years old, on a two-year cycle tied to the plate expiration month. Coverage is set by ZIP code, not county lines, so check your ZIP. The Secretary of State denies plate registration to vehicles that do not comply.
- Handled by separate agencies
- No
The Secretary of State handles both the driver's license and the vehicle title and plates, through its Driver Services and Vehicle Services departments. One agency, two deadlines.