Early History
In 1907, Illinois motorists were first required to register their vehicles with the Secretary of State’s office and pay a one time registration fee of $2. Registrants were issued a numbered aluminum disc to place on their dashboard, but they had to provide their own license plates. The registration became annual in 1909 with motorists being issued aluminum dashboard discs and still had to provide their own license plates.
1911 was the first year that the state began issuing license plates itself. The aluminum dashboard discs were also issued, matching the license plate number. The legislation authorizing the state issuance of license plates also provided for the registration and plating of motorcycles and issued special licenses and plates to mechanics and chauffeurs. Both plates and aluminum dashboard discs were issued annually.
By 1914, plates with letter prefixes (H, K, P, and R) were issued for the first time after reaching plate 99999 in order to keep the plates five characters. In 1916, the first six digit plates began to be issued. The next year, 1917, would be the final year of the issuance of the aluminum dashboard discs.
1920 marked the first year that plates were issued to different classes of vehicles. Only two general classes were specified, vehicles carrying less than seven people and those that carried more than seven people or carried freight. Trucks received their own special plate for the first time with a vertical "TRUCK" embossed onto the plate. Four years later, the first plates for trailers were issued.
Read more about this topic: Vehicle Registration Plates Of Illinois
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