Penalties are High; Remember to Renew your Chicago City Sticker - Checkexpress

Penalties are High, Remember to Renew your Chicago City Sticker!

Here’s the scoop:

The City of Chicago Vehicle Sticker is an annual wheel tax levied by the City of Chicago. All Chicago residents using his/her vehicle in the city must display a current sticker on their windshield. If you have a vehicle within the city limits for a period of thirty (30) days or longer, you are required to purchase a sticker, even if your vehicle is registered outside of the City of Chicago. Motorcycles and mopeds are also required to pay the “Wheel Tax.” The City Clerk’s Office sells special motorcycle medallions that must be affixed to the rear license plate.

All new residents living in the city must purchase a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker. If you obtain a new vehicle you must purchase a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker or transfer your vehicle sticker to your new vehicle. You will need to visit an in-person location to purchase a sticker for your new vehicle or if you need to transfer your vehicle sticker.

Vehicle Sticker Type and Fees
Vehicle Body Type License Type Annual Price
Motorbike Motorbike (MB) $45.89
Vehicle with curb weight of 4,500 lbs or less with a payload capacity of 2,499 lbs or less Passenger (P) $86.69
Vehicle with curb weight of 4,501 lbs or more with a payload capacity of 2,499 lbs or less Large Passenger (LP) $137.69
Vehicle, Truck, pickup truck with closed or open bed, or van with a gross weight of 16,000 lbs or less or with a payload capacity of 2,500 lbs or more Small Truck (ST) $203.98
Truck or vehicle with a gross weight of 16,001 lbs or more with a payload capacity of 2,500 lbs or more Large Truck (LT) $458.95

 

Late Fees and Fines

If you choose not to purchase a Chicago City Sticker, there is a $60.00 late fee — $30.00 for senior-discounted stickers which is added on to every sticker purchased after the designated grace period. (30 days for new Chicago residents/vehicle purchases; 15 days for renewals. Tickets are issued to drivers with expired vehicle stickers as early as the 1st day after the City Sticker expires.)

Ready to Buy Your Instant Chicago Vehicle Sticker?

Checkexpress Currency Exchanges in Chicago will instantly issue City of Chicago Vehicle Stickers for passenger vehicles (under 4,500 lbs), large passenger vehicles (over 4,500 lbs) and small trucks. Here are some guidelines for the documentation you are required to bring with you:

NEW RESIDENT:

  • Lease document proving date of lease of residential property
  • Mortgage document or deed proving purchase date of residential property

NEW VEHICLE:

  • Bill of sale from a bona fide vehicle seller / dealership – must include VIN
  • Executed vehicle title document (in lieu of bill of sale from a bona fide vehicle seller / dealership) – must include VIN
  • Customer-copy of a validated Illinois Department of Revenue Official Form: ST-556
  • Customer-copy of a validated Illinois Secretary of State Official Form: VSD 190

New records – by default – include a $60.00 late fee ($30.00 for senior-discounted City Stickers) as well as possible monthly prorated backcharges.

If you are a new resident to Chicago or your vehicle is new to you (or both), you can avoid this late fee and only pay for the time from your move-in/purchase date through the sticker expiration date by providing additional documentation along with your required vehicle documentation.

Don’t procrastinate! Chicago offers so many fun summer activities and diverse neighborhood happenings. The City of Chicago Vehicle Stickers are costly without adding on the fines…Imagine all the fun activities you will enjoy with the money saved by purchasing your City Sticker on time at Checkexpress!