Updated for 2025
Illinois vehicle owners in Illinois are facing license plate suspension due to a lack of car insurance coverage, more now than ever. In 2024, approximately 660,000 notices were sent to registered vehicle owners in Illinois to verify insurance coverage. Based on an ILIVS analysis made by our agency, this number is projected to rise to over 660,000 notices for license plate suspension in 2025.
If you’re unable to prove you have coverage, the state could suspend your license plate and hit you with a hefty reinstatement fee.
Thankfully, there are ways to buy insurance quickly, so you can avoid this dilemma. Today, we’re sharing an updated 2025 guide to license plate suspension Illinois, and the facts you need to know.
1. The State Will Issue a Warning
Though the penalties for uninsured Illinois drivers can be severe, the Secretary of State’s office will give you the opportunity to provide evidence of your coverage before enforcing those consequences.
That means even if you’re currently without insurance, you could have time to purchase a policy and respond affirmatively to the notice. When you team with us, you can rest assured you aren’t cutting corners as you speed to the finish line. We can help you compare rates from multiple top companies to make sure you’re getting a great deal and solid coverage.
2. Insurance Checks Are Done Online
On July 1, 2021, the Secretary of State’s office started verifying vehicle insurance electronically through a system called the Illinois Insurance Verification System. It enables them to quickly see which Illinois drivers or vehicle owners are in compliance, and which are not.
The system randomly checks drivers’ insurance status at least twice a year. Before it was implemented, the office only checked about 3% of the state’s 10 million registered vehicles each year, and did so via manual mailings. If you believe an Illinois license plate suspension could be pending, go ahead and find coverage as soon as possible. The State of Illinois only requires basic liability coverage to fulfill insurance requirements.
3. You’re Encouraged to Talk to an Agent
As your letter will explain, you don’t have to contact the Secretary of State’s office to discuss your auto insurance needs. Instead, the office encourages recipients to reach out to an independent insurance agent to get the process started.
Insured ASAP is a full-service independent insurance agency, and we maintain partnerships with dozens of A-rated insurance carriers. You can trust our team to sort through your options and help you choose the best plan.
4. You Can Get Your License Plates Reinstated
Once our team finds an affordable insurance quote, the process to reinstate your license plates begins. Our agents are registered with the IL Secretary of State’s ILIVS database and we electronically file your coverage.
As soon as your auto liability insurance plan is in place, one of our agents will provide the State of Illinois with the documents they need to reinstate your license plates immediately.
Navigate a License Plate Suspension Illinois
Vehicle owners who are just finding out they have a license plate suspension may assume that this may result in long lines at the DMV, Secretary of States office, or countless phone calls in attempts to figure out a solution.
Our staff helps Illinois drivers and vehicle owners unsuspend or reinstate their suspended plates and registration all within a quick 30 min phone call.
Now you know a little more about what to do if your license plate is suspended in Illinois. To learn more about our approach, reach out to our team today.
