Cost Of Licensing And Titling A Camper In Illinois

If you're thinking of buying a camper, you'll need to factor in the cost of licensing and titling. In Illinois, the fees for a recreational vehicle license plate vary depending on whether it's a newly acquired or currently titled vehicle, and whether it's a first-time issuance. For newly acquired vehicles, the title fee is $250, and the registration fee ranges from $27 to $102. For currently titled vehicles, the registration fee is $29, and the replacement fee is $29. So, if you're looking to hit the road in your new camper, make sure you've got the funds to cover these costs!

Recreational Vehicle License Plates

Recreational vehicles in Illinois are defined as:

> Every camping trailer, motor home, mini-motor home, travel trailer, truck camper or van camper used primarily for recreational purposes and not used commercially nor owned by a commercial business.

To obtain recreational vehicle license plates in Illinois, you must pay a title fee and a registration fee. The title fee is always $250. The registration fee varies depending on the weight of the vehicle and whether you are obtaining plates for a newly acquired vehicle, a currently titled vehicle, or a vanity license plate.

For a newly acquired vehicle, the registration fees range from $27 to $102. For a currently titled vehicle, the registration fees range from $29 to $131 if your plates expire within 90 days, and from $29 to $102 if your plates do not expire within 90 days. For vanity license plates, the registration fees range from $78 to $102.

In addition to the title and registration fees, there may be other costs associated with obtaining recreational vehicle license plates in Illinois, such as inspection and insurance costs. It is also important to note that you may need a different class of driver's license depending on the weight of your recreational vehicle.

First-time issuance fees

For newly acquired vehicles, the standard first-time issuance fee is $250 for the title, plus a registration fee that ranges from $27 to $102, depending on weight. For example, if your recreational vehicle weighs 8,000 pounds or less, the registration fee is $78, making the total first-time issuance fee $328. On the other hand, if your vehicle weighs 10,001 pounds or more, the registration fee is $102, resulting in a total first-time issuance fee of $352.

If you are transferring plates from a currently titled vehicle within 90 days, the fees are as follows:

• 8,000 pounds or less — $107 ($78 registration fee + $29 replacement fee)
• 8,001 - 10,000 pounds — $119 ($90 registration fee + $29 replacement fee)
• 10,001 pounds and over — $131 ($102 registration fee + $29 replacement fee)

If your plates do not expire within 90 days, the fees are:

• 8,000 pounds or less — $29 ($29 replacement fee)
• 8,001 - 10,000 pounds — $29 ($29 replacement fee)
• 10,001 pounds and over — $29 ($29 replacement fee)

For vanity license plates, the first-time issuance fee is $422 for a newly acquired vehicle ($250 title fee + $78 registration fee + $94 vanity fee). This fee structure is consistent across different weight categories.

For personalized license plates, the first-time issuance fee is $375 for a newly acquired vehicle ($250 title fee + $78 registration fee + $47 personalized fee). Again, this fee remains constant across different weight categories.

It is important to note that these fees are subject to change, and it is always advisable to refer to the official Illinois government website for the most up-to-date information.

Registration fees

The registration fees for a camper in Illinois vary depending on the weight of the vehicle and the type of license plate.

For a newly acquired recreational vehicle, the registration fee is $78, $61, $44, $27, $90, $70, $50, $30, $102, $79, $56, or $33, depending on the type of license plate chosen. The title fee for a newly acquired recreational vehicle is a standard $250.

For a recreational trailer, the registration fee for a newly acquired vehicle is $18, $16, $14, $12, $30, $25, $20, $15, $38, $31, $24, or $50, depending on the type of license plate chosen. The title fee for a newly acquired recreational trailer is a standard $165.

For an annual renewal of a recreational vehicle, the registration fee is $78, $90, or $102, depending on the weight of the vehicle. For an annual renewal of a recreational trailer, the registration fee is $18, $30, $38, or $50, depending on the weight of the vehicle.

Personalized and vanity license plates are also available for an additional fee.

Vanity License Plates

To register a camper in Illinois, you must pay a title fee of $250 and a registration fee. The total cost depends on the weight of the camper:

• 8,000 or less — $328 ($250 title fee + $78 registration fee)
• 8,001 - 10,000 — $340 ($250 title fee + $90 registration fee)
• 10,001 and over — $352 ($250 title fee + $102 registration fee)

If you want a vanity license plate for your camper, there is an additional vanity fee. Therefore, the total fees for a vanity license plate for a camper in Illinois are:

• 8,000 or less — $422 ($250 title fee + $78 registration fee + $94 vanity fee)
• 8,001 - 10,000 — $405 ($250 title fee + $61 registration fee + $94 vanity fee)
• 10,001 and over — $388 ($250 title fee + $44 registration fee + $94 vanity fee)

The cost of a vanity license plate at initial purchase is $245, and subsequent annual renewals cost $164. If your plates have more than 3 months until expiration, you’ll also need to pay a plate replacement fee of $29. These costs are in addition to standard registration fees.

Personalized License Plates

In Illinois, personalized license plates are a great way to express your individuality and give your car a unique touch. The state's custom license plate service, known as Pick-A-Plate, offers two options: personalized plates and vanity plates. Each option has distinct rules and costs.

The cost of personalized license plates in Illinois is $47 for first-time issuance and $7 annually thereafter. If your current plates have more than three months left until expiration, you'll need to pay a $29 plate replacement fee in addition to the standard registration fees.

To apply for a personalized license plate, your vehicle must be titled and registered in your name. Leased vehicles are not eligible for personalized plates. Your address must match the one on your current registration card.

When applying, you'll need to bring your vehicle registration card and provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. Once ordered, personalized plates cannot be refunded or changed. The Illinois Secretary of State's office reserves the right to refuse any customized plates that they find offensive.

To check the availability of your desired plate, you can use the Pick-A-Plate service online. This service allows you to choose a license plate category and check the availability of your desired plate number.

In addition to the standard registration fees, there is an initial fee of $198 for personalized plates, which includes a $151 registration fee and a $47 personalization fee. If you're switching from standard to personalized plates, there is a $76 upgrade fee.

You can order personalized plates online, in person, or by mail. To order online, visit the Illinois Secretary of State's website and provide your vehicle identification number, current license plate number, and owner information. You'll also need a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express card to make the payment.

For in-person orders, visit any Secretary of State Facility in Illinois and request a License Plates Request Application form. Make sure to bring your current vehicle registration card and proof of insurance.

If you prefer to mail your application, you can print and complete the form available on the Illinois Secretary of State's website. Enclose the payment and mail it to the Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department in Springfield, IL.

It typically takes around 6 to 8 weeks to receive your personalized license plate in Illinois, including the time for application review, manufacturing, and delivery.

Frequently asked questions