§ 3-802 — Reclassifications and upgrades

(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed to them as follows: "Reclassification" means changing the registration of a vehicle from one plate category to another. "Upgrade" means increasing the registered weight of a vehicle within the same plate category. (b) When reclassing the registration of a vehicle from one plate category to another, the owner shall receive credit for the unused portion of the present plate and be charged the current portion fees for the new plate. In addition, the appropriate replacement plate and replacement sticker fees shall be assessed. (b-5) Any individual who has a registration issued under either Section 3-405 or 3-405.1 that qualifies for a special license plate under Section 3-609, 3-609.1, 3-620, 3-621, 3-622, 3-623, 3-624, 3-625, 3-626, 3-628, 3-638, 3-642, 3-645, 3-647, 3-650, 3-651, 3-664, 3-666, 3-667, 3-668, 3-669, 3-676, 3-677, 3-680, 3-681, 3-683, 3-686, 3-688, 3-693, 3-698, 3-699.12, 3-699.15, 3-699.16, 3-699.17, 3-699.19, 3-699.20, or 3-699.25 may reclass his or her registration upon acquiring a special license plate listed in this subsection (b-5) without a replacement plate or digital plate fee or registration sticker or digital registration sticker cost. (b-10) Any individual who has a special license plate issued under Section 3-609, 3-609.1, 3-620, 3-621, 3-622, 3-623, 3-624, 3-625, 3-626, 3-628, 3-638, 3-642, 3-645, 3-647, 3-650, 3-651, 3-664, 3-666, 3-667, 3-668, 3-669, 3-676, 3-677, 3-680, 3-681, 3-683, 3-686, 3-688, 3-693, 3-698, 3-699.12, 3-699.17, or 3-699.25 may reclass his or her special license plate upon acquiring a new registration under Section 3-405 or 3-405.1 without a replacement plate or digital plate fee or registration sticker or digital registration sticker cost. (c) When upgrading the weight of a registration within the same plate category, the owner shall pay the difference in current period fees between the 2 plates. In addition, the appropriate replacement plate and replacement sticker fees shall be assessed. In the event new plates are not required, the corrected registration card fee shall be assessed. (d) In the event the owner of the vehicle desires to change the registered weight and change the plate category, the owner shall receive credit for the unused portion of the registration fee of the current plate and pay the current portion of the registration fee for the new plate, and in addition, pay the appropriate replacement plate and replacement sticker fees. (e) Reclassing from one plate category to another plate category can be done only once within any registration period. (f) No refunds shall be made in any of the circumstances found in subsection (b), subsection (c), or subsection (d); however, when reclassing from a flat weight plate to an apportioned plate, a refund may be issued if the credit amounts to an overpayment. (g) In the event the registration of a vehicle registered under the mileage tax option is revoked, the owner shall be required to pay the annual registration fee in the new plate category and shall not receive any credit for the mileage plate fees. (h) Certain special interest plates may be displayed on first division vehicles, second division vehicles weighing 8,000 pounds or less, and recreational vehicles. Those plates can be transferred within those vehicle groups. (i) Plates displayed on second division vehicles weighing 8,000 pounds or less and passenger vehicle plates may be reclassed from one division to the other. (j) Other than in subsection (i), reclassing from one division to the other division is prohibited. In addition, a reclass from a motor vehicle to a trailer or a trailer to a motor vehicle is prohibited.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 103-660, eff. 1-1-25; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)