License plates are one of the most important regulations regarding vehicle safety, legality, and practicality. Every vehicle is mandated to have a unique license plate to help law enforcement identify vehicles on the road, track stolen vehicles, and see if a car is registered. They are also sued to enforce unpaid traffic fines and fees. License plates also hold the potential to be one of the more personal aspects of a vehicle. Illinois has recently passed a bill that could see increased personalization of license plates on the road.
A guide to personalizing your license plate
While some people see their vehicle as merely a means of transportation, others hold more significant sentimental value to them. Many people spend a lot of time commuting in their vehicles, and for this reason, you may choose to want to make your car more personalized to make the driving experience slightly more enjoyable. While the extent of personalization of a vehicle often does not go beyond the color choice, others may choose to put stickers on the bumper or even create a unique license plate.
While it is standard practice that your license plate is always a unique identification number compared to other vehicles, for an additional cost, you can choose to create your own license plate. This can be either your own number preference, or you can even choose a word. However, there are rules and regulations surrounding choosing your own license plate name, and most states’ Department of Motor Vehicles will have specific words you are not allowed to use, mostly due to the offensive nature of these words.
Illinois brings back “retro” license plate
Recently, the state of Illinois has voted on a new piece of legislation which could see a new (or old, depending on how you look at it) license plate on the road. House Bill 3391 in the Illinois General Assembly was unanimously passed last Monday after a short debate. The bill is now on its way to being approved and voted for by the Senate.
The new bill would allow Illinois car owners to purchase “retro license plates” for their vehicles. These license plates were produced between 1983 and 2001 and feature “Illinois” and “Land of Lincoln” in dark blue on a light-blue background. Currently, Illinois’ standard license plates are blue and white with red letters and numbers and a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the left side of the plate. To purchase these retro plates, they would cost drivers $40 with an additional renewal fee of $27 thereafter.
“This bill will bring revenue to the state, which we all can agree is very much needed,” said State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro, R-Hanover Park.
New license renewal age for Illinois drivers
The retro custom number plates are not the only new pieces of legislation Illinois has been discussing and voting on. The state recently proposed in February House Bill 1226, also known as the Road Safety and Fairness Act. This new piece of legislation would raise the age at which Illinois drivers are mandated to retake a road test to have their licenses renewed. The current age is 79, but the new bill would raise the age to 87. The new bill would also allow family members to report unsafe drivers.
The bill was approved last week by the Illinois House of Representatives and has now moved to the Senate for final approval. The bill comes after years of protest from drivers to raise the mandatory driving exam age to preserve the autonomy of senior citizens for as long as possible. Illinois is also the only state that mandates that seniors must retake the road test. Currently, drivers between the ages of 79 and 80 must take a road test every two years, while drivers between the ages of 81 and 86 must do so every two years, and annually for those 87 and above.
