Illinois VSD 406 Funeral Home Vehicle Registration Guide – Form VSD 406 is the official Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) publication that outlines the special requirements for registering vehicles owned or leased by funeral homes. Officially titled “Funeral Home Vehicle Registration,” this document (current revision VSD 406.26, September 2023) focuses primarily on the mandatory Certificate of Liability Insurance and the insurance stickers that must be displayed on qualifying vehicles.
It is not a fillable application form by itself. Instead, it serves as the required notice and instruction sheet that funeral homes must follow when submitting proof of insurance for initial registration or renewal. The form is issued by the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department and is available as a free PDF download from the official website.
You can download the current Form VSD 406 directly here: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/vsd406.pdf.
Who Needs Form VSD 406?
Under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/3-405.1), a “funeral home vehicle” is defined as any motor vehicle of the first division or any motor vehicle of the second division weighing 8,000 pounds or less that is owned or leased by a funeral home. This includes typical passenger cars, SUVs, vans, and light trucks used in funeral operations.
Funeral homes operating in Illinois must comply with VSD 406 requirements whenever they:
- Register a new funeral home vehicle
- Renew existing registration
- Transfer plates to a different vehicle still owned or leased by the funeral home
Standard passenger vehicle insurance minimums do not apply. Funeral home vehicles are subject to higher liability limits and must display a special SOS-issued insurance sticker.
Insurance Requirements for Funeral Home Vehicles
The core of Form VSD 406 is the insurance documentation. When registering or renewing a funeral home vehicle, you must submit a Certificate of Liability Insurance for each vehicle that meets these exact standards:
Split Limits
- $250,000 for any one person
- $250,000 for any one crash
- $50,000 for property damage
or Combined Single Limit
- $300,000
Additional mandatory elements on the Certificate of Insurance:
- The policy must expire on December 31 of the current registration year or clearly state that coverage is continuous.
- The certificate must list every vehicle covered by the policy.
- The name and address of the insured must exactly match the name and address on the vehicle registration.
- “Secretary of State” must be listed as the certificate holder.
- The policy number must appear on the certificate.
- The certificate must be dated within 90 days of the transaction.
- The certificate must state that the Secretary of State’s office will be notified in writing at least 10 days before any cancellation. If the standard cancellation language appears, a separate notation confirming the 10-day written notice to the SOS is required.
A separate Certificate of Liability Insurance is required for every individual vehicle. Provide a copy of Form VSD 406 to your insurance agent when requesting the certificate to avoid processing delays.
Insurance Stickers and Display Rules
The Illinois Secretary of State is legally required to issue an insurance sticker with an assigned expiration month for every funeral home vehicle. The sticker is valid through December 31 of the current registration year unless the SOS receives notice of cancellation.
The sticker must be displayed on the vehicle. Failure to display a valid insurance sticker can result in compliance issues during traffic stops or facility inspections.
How to Register or Renew a Funeral Home Vehicle?
Registration of funeral home vehicles generally follows the standard Illinois process using the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (Form VSD 190), available through the Electronic Registration and Title (ERT) system or at any SOS facility. However, the special insurance requirements of VSD 406 must also be satisfied.
Typical steps include:
- Complete Form VSD 190 for title and/or registration.
- Obtain a compliant Certificate of Liability Insurance for each vehicle as described in VSD 406.
- Submit the certificate along with the registration application, title documents (if applicable), and applicable fees.
- Receive the registration plates or renewal sticker plus the required insurance sticker.
Registration fees for funeral home plates (calendar year, expiring December 31) are currently $151 for a full year or $74 for a half-year registration (after June 14), according to the official Calendar Registration Fees publication (VSD 522).
Where to Submit and Contact Information?
Non-standard plate and sticker renewals for funeral home vehicles can be handled at:
- Springfield – 1st Floor Howlett Building, Customer Service, Springfield, IL 62756; Phone: 217-782-2475
- Chicago North Facility (leased/insured vehicles) – 5401 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60630; Phone: 773-794-5848
You may also visit any Illinois Secretary of State facility. For the most current list of locations and hours, visit the official SOS website at www.ilsos.gov.
The main forms page listing VSD 406 is available at https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/motorist/titlereg.html.
Tips for Smooth Processing
- Always take a printed copy of Form VSD 406 to your insurance agent so the certificate is prepared correctly the first time.
- Double-check that the insured name and address on the certificate match the registration records exactly.
- Submit a separate certificate for each vehicle — a fleet certificate alone is not sufficient.
- Keep copies of all submitted insurance certificates for your records.
- Monitor policy expiration dates carefully; continuous coverage language is preferred to avoid annual re-issuance issues.
Additional Official Resources
For the complete and most current version of Form VSD 406, download it directly from the Illinois Secretary of State:
Download Illinois Form VSD 406 (PDF)
Related official pages:
- Apply for Registration and Title
- Title and Registration Publications and Forms
- Illinois Compiled Statutes (Vehicle Code)
This guide is based on the official Illinois Secretary of State publications and statutes current as of the latest available revisions. Requirements can change; always verify the most recent Form VSD 406 and fee schedules on the official SOS website before submitting any application.