Illinois SOS Form VSD 695 Exempt Vehicle Plates – If you own special mobile equipment in Illinois that is only incidentally operated on public highways, you may qualify for optional exempt vehicle license plates. The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) requires Form VSD 695, the Affirmation Statement for Exempt Vehicle License Plates, to apply. This form allows owners of qualifying equipment to obtain permanent, non-transferable plates for identification purposes only while preserving the vehicle’s exempt status under the Illinois Vehicle Code.
This guide explains what Form VSD 695 is, who needs it, how to complete it correctly, required supporting materials, and where to submit it. All information is based on official Illinois Secretary of State publications and the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5).
What Is Form VSD 695?
Form VSD 695 is the official Affirmation Statement for Exempt Vehicle License Plates issued by the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department, Commercial & Farm Truck Division. By signing this form, the applicant affirms that the described vehicle qualifies as “Special Mobile Equipment” under 625 ILCS 5/1-191 and is therefore exempt from mandatory registration under 625 ILCS 5/3-402(A)(3).
Owners may optionally register the vehicle for identification purposes under 625 ILCS 5/3-809(b). The registration fee is $13 for permanent, non-transferable plates. Issuance of these plates does not waive or change the vehicle’s exempt status and does not make the vehicle subject to regular registration requirements.
The current version of the form is VSD 695.3 (June 2024). You can download the official PDF here: Download Illinois Form VSD 695 (PDF).
Who Qualifies for Exempt Vehicle License Plates?
Vehicles that qualify are those defined as Special Mobile Equipment:
- Every vehicle not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property
- Only incidentally operated or moved over a highway
Examples listed in the Illinois Vehicle Code include (but are not limited to):
- Street sweepers
- Ditch-digging apparatus
- Well-boring apparatus
- Road construction and maintenance machinery (asphalt spreaders, bituminous mixers, bucket loaders, ditchers, leveling graders, finishing machines, motor graders, road rollers, scarifiers)
- Earth-moving carryalls and scrapers
- Power shovels and draglines
- Self-propelled cranes and earth-moving equipment
- Tractors other than truck tractors
Important exclusions: House trailers, dump trucks, truck-mounted transit mixers, and other vehicles designed primarily for transporting persons or property (even if machinery is attached) do not qualify.
The applicant must also affirm that the vehicle will not be used to haul cargo or supplies and will only be operated or moved on a highway incidentally.
Required Information and Supporting Documents
When completing Form VSD 695, you must provide:
- Name of the applicant or business
- Complete mailing address (street, city, Illinois ZIP code)
- Vehicle year, make, body style, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
- Axle spread
- Complete description of the vehicle
- Contact person’s name and daytime phone number(s)
- Authorized signature, title, and date
Mandatory supporting materials that must accompany the affirmation:
- Gross vehicle weight information (on the application)
- Axle spread details
- Four clear photographs of the vehicle: front, back, and both sides
If the vehicle has tool boxes, open storage space, evacuation tanks, flat-bed space, boxes or bins, storage tanks, or other storage devices, a more detailed description of equipment and usage is required (use the back of the form if needed).
Vehicles that fail to remain in compliance may have their registration plates suspended.
How to Complete and Submit Form VSD 695?
Follow these steps:
- Download the official form from the Illinois Secretary of State website: https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/vsd695.pdf.
- Fill out all required fields accurately. Forms on the SOS website are fillable PDFs—download them to your computer and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results.
- Take and attach four clear photos showing the front, rear, and both sides of the vehicle.
- Include GVW and axle-spread information.
- Sign and date the form under penalty of perjury.
- Submit the completed form, photos, and any related registration application and fee ($13) to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
Commercial & Farm Truck Division
501 S. Second St., Rm. 300
Springfield, IL 62756
Phone: 217-785-1800
Website: ilsos.gov
Contact the Commercial & Farm Truck Division with questions before submitting if you are unsure whether your equipment qualifies.
Key Legal References
Understanding the statutory basis helps ensure accurate completion of Form VSD 695:
- 625 ILCS 5/1-191 — Defines Special Mobile Equipment
- 625 ILCS 5/3-402(A) — Lists vehicles subject to registration and the exceptions (including special mobile equipment)
- 625 ILCS 5/3-809(b) — Allows optional identification plates for exempt vehicles at a $13 fee; confirms that optional registration does not waive exempt status
These statutes are available on the Illinois General Assembly website (ilga.gov).
Benefits and Limitations of Exempt Vehicle Plates
Benefits:
- Optional low-cost ($13) permanent plates for identification
- Preserves full exemption from regular registration requirements
- Useful for law-enforcement recognition when the equipment is moved on public roads
Limitations:
- Plates are permanent and non-transferable
- Vehicle must continue to meet the “incidental highway use only” and “not for hauling cargo/supplies” standards
- Non-compliance can result in suspension of the plates
- These plates do not convert the equipment into a regularly registered vehicle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form VSD 695 required for every piece of special mobile equipment?
No. Registration is optional. Many owners choose the plates solely for identification convenience.
Can I use the vehicle to haul materials?
No. The affirmation specifically states the vehicle is not to be used to haul cargo or supplies.
Are there any other fees?
The optional registration fee under 625 ILCS 5/3-809(b) is $13. Additional fees may apply if you are also applying for a title or other transactions.
Where can I get help?
Contact the Illinois Secretary of State Commercial & Farm Truck Division at 217-785-1800 or visit ilsos.gov.
Conclusion
Illinois Form VSD 695 is a straightforward affirmation that lets owners of qualifying Special Mobile Equipment obtain optional exempt vehicle license plates for identification purposes. By accurately completing the form, providing the required photos and vehicle data, and submitting it to the Commercial & Farm Truck Division, you can secure permanent plates while fully retaining the legal exemption from mandatory registration.
Always use the official current form available directly from the Illinois Secretary of State. Download it here: Official Form VSD 695 PDF.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the Illinois Secretary of State website or contact the Commercial & Farm Truck Division directly. Staying compliant protects both your equipment’s exempt status and your ability to move it legally on Illinois highways when necessary.