The short answer
| Question | Illinois answer |
|---|---|
| Grace period to renew | One month. Renew within a month of expiry and there's no late fee. |
| Late renewal fee | $20, flat. It applies only if your renewal arrives more than one month after the registration expired, and it doesn't grow month by month. |
| Ticket for driving on it | A petty offense for a first or second conviction: fine of $75 to $1,000, set by the court. A third conviction within a year is a Class C misdemeanor. |
| Who the late fee covers | Passenger cars and second-division vehicles up to 8,000 lbs. Active-duty military stationed outside Illinois are exempt. |
Is there a grace period in Illinois?
For the late fee, yes. Illinois law charges the $20 delinquent registration renewal fee only when the renewal application is received more than one month after the registration expired (625 ILCS 5/3-821.2). Renew within that month and you pay the normal renewal fee and nothing more.
That month is a grace period for the fee only. The law doesn't say you may drive on an expired registration during it, so you could still be ticketed if you're stopped.
The $20 late fee
- Amount: $20, charged once. It doesn't add up by the month.
- When it applies: the renewal arrives more than one month after expiry.
- Which vehicles: passenger vehicles (first division) and second-division vehicles registered at 8,000 lbs or less.
- Exempt: active-duty members of the military stationed outside Illinois.
You may see older articles saying this fee was "suspended". Section 3-821.2(b) did once allow that, but the provision has been inoperative since June 30, 2017. The $20 fee applies today.
Example
Your registration expired on March 31. If the Secretary of State receives your renewal in mid-April, within the month, you pay only the renewal fee. If it arrives in mid-May, more than a month late, you pay the renewal fee plus $20.
Ticket for driving with an expired registration
Driving a vehicle without a valid registration breaks 625 ILCS 5/3-701. The penalty class comes from 625 ILCS 5/16-104 and the fine range from 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-75(a):
| Conviction | Class | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| First or second | Petty offense | $75 to $1,000, set by the court |
| Third within one year | Class C misdemeanor | Not covered here |
Cities can also write tickets under their own ordinances, Chicago for example. Those amounts are set locally and aren't published in state sources, so we don't quote them.
What renewal costs
The late fee comes on top of the normal renewal. The Illinois calculator shows the yearly registration fee and the electric vehicle fee. For other states, see car registration late fees by state and what an expired registration ticket costs. Neighbouring guides: Michigan, New York and Virginia.
What this guide doesn't cover
City and county ticket amounts, court costs, the penalty for a third conviction, and late fees for trucks over 8,000 lbs, trailers and motorcycles.
Bought or sold a car? See Illinois title transfer fees for the title fee, tax and deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a grace period for expired registration in Illinois?
For the late fee, yes: one month. If your renewal arrives within a month of expiry, the $20 fee doesn't apply. The law doesn't make it legal to drive on the expired registration during that month.
How much is the late fee for car registration in Illinois?
$20, charged once, if the renewal arrives more than one month after the registration expired (625 ILCS 5/3-821.2). Active-duty military stationed outside Illinois are exempt.
How much is an expired plates ticket in Illinois?
Under state law, a first or second conviction is a petty offense with a fine of $75 to $1,000, set by the court. City tickets, such as Chicago's, are set by local ordinance and aren't available from state sources.
Can you go to jail for driving with expired registration in Illinois?
For a first or second conviction, no: it's a petty offense, punished by a fine. A third conviction within a year is a Class C misdemeanor.
Was the Illinois late registration fee suspended?
Not any more. The suspension provision in 625 ILCS 5/3-821.2(b) has been inoperative since June 30, 2017, so the $20 fee applies.
Calculate your Illinois fees
Example for a $30,000 car. Enter your own price to update it.
- Registration (1 yr)$151.00
- Certificate of title$165.00
- Sales tax6.25% of price minus trade-in$1,875.00
Total excludes items marked "not available".
What you'll pay later
Renewal at today's rates: $151.00/yr
Year 1 $2,191.00 · Years 2–5 $151.00/yr · 5-year total $2,795.00
Estimate only, at today's rates for the same car.
Rates and sources for every fee are on the Illinois car registration fee calculator page.
- Illinois Compiled Statutes 625 ILCS 5/3-821.2: delinquent registration renewal fee – ilga.gov
- Illinois Compiled Statutes 625 ILCS 5/3-701: operating without registration – ilga.gov
- Illinois Compiled Statutes 625 ILCS 5/16-104: penalty class for violations – ilga.gov
- Illinois Compiled Statutes 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-75: petty offense fines – ilga.gov
General information, not tax or legal advice. Fees and tax rules change; confirm with the agency listed before you pay.
Related guides
- PenaltiesCar registration late fees in all 50 statesLate registration renewal fees by state from official sources: $5 in Missouri, $10 in Michigan and Virginia, $20 in Illinois, none in Maryland or Pennsylvania.Read guide →
- IllinoisIllinois title transfer cost: the $165 title fee, RUT-50 use tax and deadlines (2026)An Illinois title costs $165. Private-sale tax on Form RUT-50 comes from the 2026 chart: $1,100 on a $20,000 car. Title in 20 days, tax return in 30.Read guide →
- RankingsCheapest and most expensive states to register a car in 2026The 50 states we cover, ranked by what it costs to register a $30,000 car in 2026: fees alone and with sales tax, from official rates.Read guide →