Illinois Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator
2026Registering a car in Illinois in 2026 costs about $256.18 a year for a new $35,000 midsize sedan in Cook County — City of Chicago; electric cars pay $100.00 a year more. Estimate yours by state, vehicle age and fuel type.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated October 19, 2026 · Methodology
Yearly Registration Cost
$256.18
One-Time Title Fee
$165.00
Fee Breakdown
| State registration fee | $148.00 |
| State surcharges | $3.00 |
| Chicago city sticker (wheel tax) | $105.18 |
| Yearly Total | $256.18 |
| Title fee (one-time) | $165.00 |
Estimate for a 2026 gasoline midsize sedan (3,400 lb, $35,000 new) registered in Cook County — City of Chicago. Other vehicles cost more or less, especially in states that charge by value or weight.
Illinois charges a flat $151 a year ($148 plus $3 in surcharges), with no value or weight component. Chicago residents must also buy a city vehicle sticker, a wheel tax set by vehicle class.
Based on Chicago. The city sticker applies only to Chicago residents; other Cook County towns set their own wheel taxes or have none. The state-only cost is $151.
Source: 625 ILCS 5/3-806 (ILGA); Chicago City Clerk City Sticker FAQ/pricing
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
Illinois Vehicle Registration Costs (2026)
Registering a new car in Illinois costs about $256.18 a year for a new $35,000 midsize sedan in Cook County — City of Chicago. Illinois charges a flat $151 a year ($148 plus $3 in surcharges), with no value or weight component. Chicago residents must also buy a city vehicle sticker, a wheel tax set by vehicle class.
Stays $256.18 every year.
Based on Chicago. The city sticker applies only to Chicago residents; other Cook County towns set their own wheel taxes or have none. The state-only cost is $151.
A title costs $165.
Illinois adds a $100 annual surcharge for fully electric cars in place of fuel taxes, making a standard passenger EV registration $251 a year. Plug-in hybrids and hybrids pay nothing extra, and the surcharge is not indexed to inflation.
Illinois Registration Costs (2026)
| Yearly Cost, New Car | $256.18 |
| How the Fee Is Set | Flat fee |
| Title Fee (one-time) | $165.00 |
| Extra Fee for Electric Cars | $100.00/yr |
| State Tax When You Buy a Car | 6.25% |
Official Sources: