History of vehicle registration plates of Illinois
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Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (April 2008) |
The state of Illinois first required motorists to register their vehicles in 1907 and began issuing license plates to registrants in 1911. Plates were issued annually until 1978.
[edit] Early History
In 1907, Illinois motorists were first required to register their vehicles with the Secretary of State’s office and pay a one time registration fee of $2. Registrants were issued a numbered aluminum disc to place on their dashboard, but they had to provide their own license plates. The registration became annual in 1909 with motorists being issued aluminum dashboard discs and still had to provide their own license plates.
1911 was the first year that the state began issuing license plates itself. The aluminum dashboard discs were also issued, matching the license plate number. The legislation authorizing the state issuance of license plates also provided for the registration and plating of motorcycles and issued special licenses and plates to mechanics and chauffeurs. Both plates and aluminum dashboard discs were issued annually.
By 1914, plates with letter prefixes (H, K, P, and R) were issued for the first time after reaching plate 99999 in order to keep the plates five characters. In 1916, the first six digit plates began to be issued. The next year, 1917, would be the final year of the issuance of the aluminum dashboard discs.
1920 marked the first year that plates were issued to different classes of vehicles. Only two general classes were specified, vehicles carrying less than seven people and those that carried more than seven people or carried freight. Trucks received their own special plate for the first time with a vertical "TRUCK" embossed onto the plate. Four years later, the first plates for trailers were issued.
[edit] Passenger baseplates 1979 to present
| Image | First issued | Description | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1978 | dark blue on reflective white | Land of Lincoln | ABC 123 various |
? remakes of previously issued serials |
Last singleyear plate |
 |
1979 | dark blue on reflective white | Land of Lincoln | ABC 123 various |
? remakes of previously issued serials |
First multi-year plate |
 |
1983 | dark blue reflective white with light and dark blue stripes, screened dark blue state name | Land of Lincoln | ABC 123 A 12 345 A 123 456 various |
? ? ? remakes of previously issued serials |
|
| 2001 | reflective gradient blue to white fade with Abraham Lincoln portrait in centre, state name screened in red | Land of Lincoln | 123 4567 A12 3456 |
100 0001 to 999 9999 G00 0001 to G99 9999, X00 0001 to X99 9999 remakes of previously issued serials |
[edit] External links
- Secretary of State Jesse White presents The History of Illinois License Plates
- Illinois license plates 1969-present
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