Illinois Trailer License Plates Update

John B. · May 4, 2021

This is a follow up of my post the other day on trailer plates. I went to the DMV today to get a new plate and sticker for my trailer, old plate was beat up and ready to fall off. Anyway I asked about the ST (semi-trailer) plates which is only $18 and it's a forever plate no sticker renewal etc. The catch to the ST plate is no matter what size trailer you register it to that trailer has to be state inspected annually and every weigh station you run up on you have to go in and weigh. YOu'll be subject to all the laws pertaining to big trailers for which you may have only a 5x10 trailer. They said this is a loop hole for being a For-ever Plate but the lady behind the counter said all those purchasing the ST plates for their little trailer will soon be going back to the TA plates. So I just bought the TA plate and sticker.

wingnuttx · May 4, 2021

John..... Of course many states have different rules regarding the forever trailer plate. The trailers that I own on La I register under the forever plate......cost me $78 per plate. Easy Peasy. Otherwise I'd have to pay like $48 per year every year per utility/tractor trailer. What a no brainer huh? To be honest I don't even know if Texas ( where I live ) even has a forever plate. Doesn't matter really as long as I'm hauling legal. Texas truck plate with a La. trailer plate is not a federal offense. Wingnut

TGP · May 4, 2021

Now what she didn't tell you, as per state statute you can
Only legally put a IL ST Plate on a trailer that has a Fifth wheel type hitch and the power unit must be licensed for total combined weight.

No bumper pull or ball type gooseneck.

I guarantee the ISP will have a field day with someone using
A ST Plate on a bumper pull and even GN with ball connection.
Tom

dcarp · May 4, 2021

No forever plates in Texas. However, my farm trailer plates cost a whopping $7 per year. No yearly inspection, just renew the plates but you do need a State Ag Number to renew the plates.

Oregon Tractor Jack · May 4, 2021

Here in Oregon if you get forever plates that means you have to pull it with a truck that has T-plates. Any utility trailer over a GVW of 10k is required to have HU or HV plates. These are one time plates. Your truck then is required to have truck plates that will cost you according to the combined weight of truck, trailer and load. The truck plates are very expensive. I guess that Oregon figures that if you have anything over 10k for a utility trailer you are a commercial business. It costs my $391 per year to pull my 20' utility trailer.

OTJ

John in Mich · May 4, 2021

Last October we were visiting family in New Braunfels. Local antique shop had several 1974 Texas Farm Truck license plates. The number started, 8N*----. I bought them for the 8Ns other than my '51. My '51 has 2 Michigan blue and white personalized plates that had been on my truck, 1951 8N, back to back on the license bracket mounted to the work light bracket.

John in Mich · May 4, 2021

Michigan used to be annual renewels for trailers but went to Permanent plates. Fee is based on weight. If you sell the trailer, scrap the plate. If you trade the trailer, scrap the plate. New or used trailer (to you) new plate. I have one 45 year old single axle utility trailer (used to be a 2 place snowmobile trailer), rebuilt last year. One 46 year old 18', 10,000 GVW tandem axle rebuilt 2 years ago. One 24', 10,000 GVW enclosed trailer, new 4 years ago and just added a 7 year old 30' travel trailer. Barring a catastrophy, I have all that I need.
The rebuild costs were way cheaper than new trailers and new license plates.

Little Ed · May 4, 2021

Where can I look up that statute? I do know two retired state of IL troopers that have done this with their small trailers. Both have told me that as long as the truck is plated for the total weight of truck, trailer, and cargo, I would be good. At 118 per year for a lawnmower trailer, versus 18 dollar lifetime, this would be too good to be true.

Dan in North Houston · May 4, 2021

Are those farm plates? Are you limited in how far you can be from the farm?

504 · May 5, 2021

I think the forever plate in MO is around 80 bucks,but the two year plat is only 36. I didn't even know we could get them till a year ago, and I already had good plates.

Illinois Trailer License Plates Update

John B.

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wingnuttx

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TGP

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dcarp

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Oregon Tractor Jack

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John in Mich

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John in Mich

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Little Ed

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Dan in North Houston

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504

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