Do You Even Need A Front License Plate In Illinois?

With the start of a New Year, a lot of new laws go into effect in every state. Well, this one isn't new. As a matter of fact, it's been this way since they've been dishing out license plates in Illinois. Similar to the other Quad Cities state (Iowa, in case you forgot), the State of Illinois gives you two, count them, two license plates when you register a vehicle.

Even though there has been a bill introduced to the Illinois state government about not requiring a front license plate doesn't mean that's a new law. In case you're confused still and need the answer to the question, "do you even need a front license plate in Illinois?", we'll make it clear in a second.

Get our free mobile app

When you register a vehicle in the state of Illinois, you always receive two license plates. One for the front and one for the rear. Even though I lived in Iowa back then and still do, I knew even as a youngster driving that people in Illinois had front and rear license plates. I was told back then that you can get pulled over for not having a front and/or rear license plate in both states.

We found out that in Iowa that law is still a law even though someone tried to change that back in 2021. I hate to break it to you criminals on the Illinois side driving around without a license plate on the front of your car that it is the same.

The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, Jessie White is the current Illinois Secretary of State, says in plain writing when asked, "Is the front registration plate required on vehicles registered in Illinois?"

"Yes, the front registration plate is required on vehicles registered in Illinois. Both registration plates are required to be attached on vehicles registered in Illinois."

According to NBC Chicago, it costs $151 for license plates on a passenger vehicle in Illinois. You can get personalized plates for $158 or vanity plates for $164 in Illinois.

Back in 2021, HB0687 was introduced by Rep. Jonathan Carroll that would not require Illinoisans to have a front license plate and only one plate would be issued. It's currently still chilling in Springfield which means it's not a law.

ANSWER THE QUESTION! Do I Need A Front License Plate In Illinois?

Answer: Yep. Here is Illinois law 625 ILCS 5/3-413 showing proof.

Can you be pulled over for simply not having a front license plate in Illinois? The answer to that is also yes, according to copilotsearch.com.

How much is a fine for not having a front license plate in Illinois? It's up to the officer but between $50 and $200, according to getjerry.com.