SPRINGFIELD –– For the first time, Illinois' newly designed license plates are being distributed to passenger car owners who have vehicle registrations expiring in August, Secretary of State Jesse White said today. New, smaller renewal stickers designed to accommodate the new design plates also are being issued to B-truck owners who have registrations expiring in August.
The new design plates are being issued based on renewal month, beginning with August 2001 expirations. All passenger plates will be distributed by July 2002, while B-trucks and all other plate categories will receive new plates in 2003.
White said motorists can purchase the new plates and stickers online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com, by using the "TouchTone Renewal" system, or by visiting a Driver Services facility.
It is now too late to mail applications and guarantee delivery of new plates and stickers before the Aug. 31 expiration date. Anyone driving a vehicle on or after Sept. 1 with an expired August 2001 sticker will be subject to a $75 fine for improper registration.
Illinois motorists, by law, have the right to retain their current letter and number combinations on their new design plates. If a motorist chooses to retain the number, he or she will be given a 120-day Temporary Renewal Sticker to affix to the old license plate until the new plates are manufactured and delivered to the motorist.
If a motorist does not care to retain his or her current letter and number combination on the new plates, random-number plates are available immediately over the counter at 117 Driver Services facilities and at the five mobile units. Those facilities and units also issue renewal stickers for B-trucks.
Temporary Renewal Stickers issued when ordering new design plates and B-truck renewal stickers for 2002 also are available at about 2,500 financial institutions statewide for a slight additional fee.
Pre-printed renewal applications have been mailed to 720,485 passenger car and B-truck owners who renew their registrations in August.
A list of facilities selling plates and stickers is below.
