Illinois License Plate Lookup
Get Accurate Vehicle History with Our Illinois License Plate Lookup Tool
Illinois License Plate Check – Uncover Vehicle History, Title, and Past Accidents
Before you shake hands on the deal, make sure you know the real story behind the vehicle. A free Illinois license plate lookup can show you everything the seller might not—like past owners, accident history, title problems, and more. Tools like Vehicle.Report make it quick and easy—just type in the plate number and get all the details, no guesswork, no cost.
Looking for other state-specific license plate lookups?
Why Should You Use an Illinois License Plate Lookup?
| Use Type | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| 🚗 Car Buyers | Verify a vehicle’s history before purchasing. |
| 🚔 Law Enforcement | Check for stolen or suspicious vehicles. |
| 💰 Lenders & Insurers | Assess a car’s risk and value. |
| 🔧 Vehicle Owners | Confirm title status, recalls, and past accidents. |
What is an Illinois License Plate?
An Illinois license plate number helps quickly identify a vehicle and its owner. It’s especially useful when reviewing multiple vehicles. To protect privacy, the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act limits access to personal details.
In Illinois, license plates are issued by the Secretary of State and must be displayed on the front and back of most vehicles. Each plate has a unique mix of letters and numbers and is typically renewed every ten years.
Standard plates have a white background with dark blue text. Illinois also offers specialty plates featuring custom designs for charities, schools, veterans, and more, allowing drivers to personalize their vehicles.
How Do I Get a License Plate in Illinois?
1. Start Registration
Begin online via the Illinois SOS website or visit a Secretary of State facility (appointments recommended). Complete and print Form VSD 190 (Vehicle Transaction Application).
2. Prepare Required Documents
Bring or mail:
– Vehicle title (signed over if from out of state; include odometer for 2011+)
– Completed VSD 190
– Valid photo ID
– Proof of Illinois insurance
– Proof of residency (e.g., utility bill, lease)
– Tax form (e.g., RUT-50 for private sales)
– Lienholder info (if financed)
3. Pay Applicable Fees
Registration: ~$101
Title fee: ~$95
Sales tax based on purchase price
Extra fees for specialty or vanity plates
4. Complete Emissions Test (If Required)
- Required every 2 years in Chicago and Metro-East St. Louis for gas vehicles (1996+ and 4+ years old)
- No safety inspection required
- Notices are mailed ~30 days before your renewal date
5. Finalize Registration
Once everything is submitted:
- You’ll receive a temporary registration
- Plates and stickers will be mailed (specialty/custom if selected)
6. Optional: Specialty or Personalized Plates
Choose during registration (online or in-office); fees vary by type.
📝 Extra Tips:
- New to Illinois? Register your vehicle within 30 days of moving.
- Chicago residents must also get a city vehicle sticker within 30 days.
- Diesel trucks >16,000 lbs need IDOT inspections (not SOS).
- Exempt from emissions: motorcycles, diesels, EVs, antiques, farm vehicles, heavy trucks, etc.
How to Use Our Free Illinois Plate Lookup Tool?
Step 1
Enter the Illinois license plate number.
Step 2
Click “Free License Plate Lookup” to retrieve results.
Step 3
View a free report summary.
What information can you get from an Illinois license plate search?
A free Illinois license plate lookup gives you:
- Vehicle Specs – Make, model, trim, and engine details
- Major Issues – Flood, salvage, or accident history
- Title Check – Clean, salvage, rebuilt, or flood titles
- Recalls & Defects – Manufacturer recalls and safety alerts
- Sales – Track vehicle timeline and sale events
- Market Value – Get current price estimates in Illinois
- Ownership Costs – Fuel, insurance, repairs, and depreciation
- Fuel Efficiency – MPG and fuel type info
- Safety Ratings – Crash-test scores and safety features
- Insurance Insight – Spot gaps or get a quote with ease
📌 Want full VIN details? Try our free VIN decoder tool for a deeper history report.
Privacy Laws and Restrictions in Illinois
Illinois adheres to strict privacy regulations under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). This means that personal information tied to a license plate number, such as the owner’s name or address, cannot be disclosed unless:
- The request complies with specific legal circumstances (e.g., insurance claims or legal investigations).
- Authorized consent is provided by the vehicle owner.
Our lookup tool ensures full compliance with these laws, offering only permissible information to protect your privacy.
Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles
The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State is the government agency responsible for fulfilling the role of a typical DMV for Idaho residents. It handles official government functions such as the issuance of vehicle registration, license plates and title. Illinois belongs to the majority of US states that implement the two license plates rule for each motor vehicle. The State of Illinois requires the serial format ‘AB 12345’ to be followed by standard-issued Illinois license plates.
Illinois License Plate FAQs
Answers to the most frequently asked questions on license plate lookup
What is the difference between an Illinois license plate lookup and an Illinois VIN check?
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the license plate number are similar to serial numbers. Both serve the purpose of a unique identifier for a vehicle. The former for the manufacturer, the latter for the government. Vehicle.report combines content from both worlds to give a complete car history report.
Can I find a car owner’s name from a license plate?
No, you cannot legally obtain a car owner’s name using an Illinois license plate lookup. The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) restricts access to personal details. However, you can still retrieve non-personal vehicle history, including title status, accident records, and basic vehicle data.
How can I check if a car is stolen in Illinois?
To check if a vehicle is stolen, use a free Illinois license plate lookup or visit the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) website. These sources will show if a plate or VIN matches stolen vehicle records, helping you avoid accidentally purchasing a car involved in theft.
What if my Illinois license plate is missing or stolen?
If your Illinois license plate is missing or stolen, you must report it to local law enforcement and the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) immediately. Replacing your plate quickly helps prevent misuse and ensures your vehicle remains legally compliant with Illinois license plate lookup records.
Is license plate lookup legal in Illinois?
Yes, Illinois license plate lookup is legal as long as it complies with federal and state privacy laws, including the DPPA. You can legally search for non-sensitive vehicle data like accident history, title issues, and recalls, but not the registered owner’s private information or address.
How can I conduct an Illinois license plate lookup online?
To perform an Illinois license plate lookup, you can use various online platforms that provide this service. Simply visit a reputable website that offers license plate lookup services, enter the license plate number you want to look up, and receive the available information.
Where can I find my license plate number in Illinois?
You can find your Illinois license plate number directly on your vehicle or in your car’s registration documents. This number is essential for conducting an Illinois license plate lookup, which provides access to vehicle specs, ownership history, and legal title information.
How accurate is the information provided by an Illinois license plate lookup?
The accuracy of the information obtained from an Illinois license plate lookup can vary depending on the source and the data available. It is recommended to verify the information through official channels before taking any action based on the results of the lookup.
Important Links for Illinois Car Owners and Drivers
Illinois VIN Check
To get a comprehensive vehicle history report, you can also run an Illinois VIN Check