CHAPTER 3 - CERTIFICATES OF TITLE AND REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

625 ILCS 5/3-413

Sec. 3-413. Display of registration plates or digital registration plates, registration stickers or digital registration stickers, and drive-away permits; registration plate or digital registration plate covers.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/3-413
Offense Description
No front/rear registration plate
Offense Classification
Petty Offense, Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/3-413 (No front/rear registration plate) is classified as a Petty Offense, Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is not mandatory (pre-set bond or notice to appear), and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Petty Offense, Class A Misdemeanor

Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Court Appearance Mandate Release on Notice (No Mandate)

Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Petty Offense, Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Pre-set Bond / Release on Notice
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8018, 8019

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (10)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
No front/rear registration plate 625 ILCS 5/3-413(a) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-413(a) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8018 ILGA.gov ->
Improper display license plates/sticker 625 ILCS 5/3-413(b) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-413(b) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Improper display (tinted or obscured plastic covers) 625 ILCS 5/3-413(b) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-413(b) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Improper display of drive-away permit 625 ILCS 5/3-413(c) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-413(c) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Improper display of truck-mounted camper body registration plate 625 ILCS 5/3-413(e) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-413(e) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Operating vehicle with expired registration plates or registration sticker 625 ILCS 5/3-413(f) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-413(f) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8019 ILGA.gov ->
Permitting the operation of vehicle displaying expired Illinois registration 625 ILCS 5/3-413(f) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-413(f) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Operating vehicle with registration cover 625 ILCS 5/3-413(g) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-413(g) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful sale of registration cover 625 ILCS 5/3-413(h) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-413(h) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful concealment of registration – Class A misdemeanor 625 ILCS 5/3-413(j) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/3-413(j) -> Class A Misdemeanor Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 3-413. Display of registration plates or digital registration plates, registration stickers or digital registration stickers, and drive-away permits; registration plate or digital registration plate covers.

(a)

(a) Registration plates or digital registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, autocycle, trailer, semitrailer, truck-tractor, apportioned bus, or apportioned truck shall be attached thereto, one in the frontmost and one in the rearmost. The registration plate or digital registration plate issued for a motorcycle, autocycle, trailer or semitrailer required to be registered hereunder and any apportionment plate issued to a bus under the provisions of this Code shall be attached to the rearmost thereof. The registration plate or digital registration plate issued for a truck-tractor or an apportioned truck required to be registered hereunder shall be attached to the frontmost thereof.

(b)

(b) Except for vehicles with rear loaded motorized forklifts, every registration plate or digital registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height of not less than 5 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained in a condition to be clearly legible, free from any materials that would obstruct the visibility of the plate. A registration plate or digital registration plate on a motorcycle may be mounted vertically as long as it is otherwise clearly visible. Registration stickers or digital registration stickers issued as evidence of renewed annual registration shall be attached to registration plates or displayed on digital registration plates as required by the Secretary of State, and be clearly visible at all times and displayed as prescribed in subsection (k). For those vehicles with rear loaded motorized forklifts, if the rear plate is securely fastened in a horizontal position as prescribed, the plate and registration sticker shall not be required to be clearly visible at all times as a result of the rear mounted motorized forklift obstructing the view.

(c)

(c) Every drive-away permit issued pursuant to this Code shall be firmly attached to the motor vehicle in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of State. If a drive-away permit is affixed to a motor vehicle in any other manner the permit shall be void and of no effect.

(d)

(d) The Illinois prorate decal issued to a foreign registered vehicle part of a fleet prorated or apportioned with Illinois, shall be displayed on a registration plate or digital registration plate and displayed on the frontmost of such vehicle in the same manner as an Illinois registration plate or digital registration plate.

(e)

(e) The registration plate or digital registration plate issued for a camper body mounted on a truck displaying registration plates or digital registration plates shall be attached to the rearmost of the camper body.

(f)

(f) No person shall operate a vehicle, nor permit the operation of a vehicle, upon which is displayed an Illinois registration plate or plates or digital registration plate or plates or registration stickers or digital registration stickers, except as provided for in subsection (b) of Section 3-701 of this Code, after the termination of the registration period for which issued or after the expiration date set pursuant to Sections 3-414 and 3-414.1 of this Code.

(g)

(g) A person may not operate any motor vehicle that is equipped with registration plate or digital registration plate covers. A violation of this subsection (g) or a similar provision of a local ordinance is an offense against laws and ordinances regulating the movement of traffic.

(h)

(h) A person may not sell or offer for sale a registration plate or digital registration plate cover. A violation of this subsection (h) is a business offense.

(i)

(i) A person may not advertise for the purpose of promoting the sale of registration plate or digital registration plate covers. A violation of this subsection (i) is a business offense.

(j)

(j) A person may not modify the original manufacturer's mounting location of the rear registration plate or digital registration plate on any vehicle so as to conceal the registration or to knowingly cause it to be obstructed in an effort to hinder a peace officer from obtaining the registration for the enforcement of a violation of this Code, Section 27.1 of the Toll Highway Act concerning toll evasion, or any municipal ordinance. Modifications prohibited by this subsection (j) include but are not limited to the use of an electronic device. A violation of this subsection (j) is a Class A misdemeanor.

(k)

(k) Registration stickers issued as evidence of renewed registration by the Secretary shall be displayed on the upper right corner of the rear registration plate or in a manner otherwise provided by the Secretary. However, registration stickers issued to truck-tractors shall be displayed on the upper right corner of the front registration plate or in a manner otherwise provided by the Secretary.

(l)

(l) No person shall affix to any registration plate, temporary registration plate, digital registration plate, registration sticker, or other evidence of registration issued by the Secretary any medallion, insignia, sticker, tape, or other object not issued or approved by the Secretary. No person shall alter, manipulate, apply, or otherwise manipulate any evidence of registration issued by the Secretary in any manner from the original condition as was received when issued by the Secretary. It is unlawful to operate any vehicle that (i) displays evidence of registration altered in any manner or displaying any medallion, insignia, sticker, tape, or other object as prescribed in this subsection or (ii) is equipped with a manual, electronic, or mechanical device that hides or obscures a registration plate.

(Source: P.A. 103-706, eff. 1-1-25; 104-125, eff. 1-1-26.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/3-413 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/3-413 (No front/rear registration plate) is classified as a Petty Offense, Class A Misdemeanor.

Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/3-413 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

No Mandatory Court Appearance (Pre-Set Bond / Notice to Appear): Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/3-413 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 625 ILCS 5/3-413?

Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 625 ILCS 5/3-413 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/3-413 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-3-413
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes