Illinois Form VSD 890 School Bus Registration Guide – School bus operators in Illinois must properly register their vehicles with the Illinois Secretary of State to comply with state law and ensure student safety. Form VSD 890, officially titled School Bus Registration, is the key document used for this process. This guide explains everything U.S. school districts, private operators, and transportation companies need to know about Form VSD 890, including insurance rules, submission steps, fees, and where to download the official form.
What Is Illinois Form VSD 890?
Form VSD 890 is the official Illinois Secretary of State publication that outlines the requirements for registering school buses. It primarily focuses on the mandatory proof-of-insurance rules that apply when registering or renewing school bus plates. The form is issued by the Vehicle Services Department and is available as a fillable PDF.
According to the official document (March 2022 version, still current), proof of insurance is required for all school bus registrations. Operators must submit a Certificate of Liability Insurance that meets strict state standards before plates or renewals can be issued.
You can download the official Form VSD 890 directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website: Download Form VSD 890 (PDF).
Who Needs to Use Form VSD 890?
Any owner or operator registering a vehicle as a school bus in Illinois must follow the instructions on Form VSD 890. This includes:
- Public school districts
- Private and religious schools
- Nursery schools and day camps that use school buses
- Contracted bus companies that operate school buses for school purposes
Under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/3-808), vehicles operated exclusively as school buses for school purposes qualify for special low-cost registration plates. These plates require compliance with the insurance rules detailed in VSD 890.
Insurance Requirements for School Bus Registration
The core purpose of Form VSD 890 is to enforce Illinois’ high liability insurance standards for school buses. When registering or renewing, you must provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance that meets these exact requirements:
- Minimum coverage: Combined Single Limit of $2,000,000
- Policy expiration date must be December 31 of the current registration year or marked as continuous
- The certificate must list every vehicle covered by the policy
- Name and address of the insured must exactly match the vehicle registration
- “Secretary of State” must be listed as the certificate holder
- Policy number must appear on the certificate
- Certificate must be dated within 90 days of the transaction
- The certificate (or a separate notation) must state that the Secretary of State’s office will be notified in writing at least 30 days before the policy is canceled
These rules are based on 625 ILCS 5/12-707.01, which requires $2,000,000 minimum liability insurance for vehicles used for purposes that require a school bus driver permit. The coverage can be satisfied by a single $2,000,000 combined single limit primary commercial automobile policy or by a $1 million primary policy plus a minimum $5,000,000 excess or umbrella policy.
A Certificate of Liability Insurance or a School Bus Insurance Affirmation (found on the back of some renewal notices) must be submitted for each vehicle.
Related Form: School Bus Affirmation (RT OPR 3)
In many cases, operators also need the School Bus Affirmation form (RT OPR 3). This form is used when a private bus company is contracting with a school district. It requires signatures from both a school official (principal or school board member) and the bus owner affirming that:
- The buses will be used exclusively for school purposes under a written contract
- The buses meet the liability insurance requirements of 625 ILCS 5/12-707.01
The form allows listing of multiple buses by year, make, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Download it here: School Bus Affirmation RT OPR 3 (PDF).
School Bus Registration Fees in Illinois
Under 625 ILCS 5/3-808, eligible school buses pay a registration fee of only $10 for a two-year registration period. This reduced fee applies to vehicles operated exclusively as school buses by school districts, religious institutions, or contracted operators serving school districts.
The two-year registration period typically runs from January 1 of even-numbered years through December 31 of odd-numbered years. Always confirm the current fee schedule on the official Illinois Secretary of State fee publications, as amounts can be updated by legislation.
How to Complete and Submit School Bus Registration?
Follow these steps for a smooth process:
- Download and review Form VSD 890 for the latest insurance instructions.
- Obtain a compliant Certificate of Liability Insurance from your insurance agent. Bring a copy of VSD 890 so the agent can meet every requirement.
- If contracting with a school, complete the School Bus Affirmation (RT OPR 3).
- Complete the standard Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190) for title and/or registration transactions. The Electronic Registration and Title (ERT) system allows online preparation of VSD 190 in many cases.
- Submit the completed documents, proof of insurance, and applicable fees either in person at an authorized facility or by mail to the Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department.
Mailing address for special plates and school bus matters is typically:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
Special Plates Division
501 S. Second St., Rm. 532
Springfield, IL 62756
Where to Submit or Renew School Bus Plates?
School bus plates are handled as non-standard plates. The Non-Standard Plates Section is located at:
First Floor, Howlett Building
Customer Service
Springfield, IL 62756
Phone: 217-785-8627
Selected Chicago-area and other facilities that can process these transactions include:
- Chicago East Facility – 100 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL 60601
- Chicago North Facility – 5401 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60630
- Chicago South Facility – 9901 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Chicago, IL 60628
- Chicago West Facility – 5301 W. Lexington Ave., Chicago, IL 60644
- Joliet, Lake Zurich, Lombard, Naperville, Waukegan, and Woodstock facilities
For the most current list of locations and hours, visit the official Illinois Secretary of State facility finder on ilsos.gov.
Additional Compliance Requirements for Illinois School Buses
Registration is only one part of operating a legal school bus in Illinois. Operators must also ensure:
- Drivers hold a valid Illinois School Bus Driver Permit (separate from the federal CDL School Bus Endorsement)
- Vehicles meet construction, lighting, and identification standards under the Illinois Vehicle Code and administrative rules
- Regular safety inspections are performed at Official Testing Stations
- Proper “SCHOOL BUS” lettering, stop arms, and lighting systems are maintained
Failure to maintain the required insurance can result in registration revocation. The Secretary of State may demand a certificate of insurance at any time; failure to produce it within two calendar days can lead to suspension of the registration.
Download Form VSD 890 and Related Documents
Always use the official versions of these forms:
- Form VSD 890 – School Bus Registration (PDF)
- School Bus Affirmation RT OPR 3 (PDF)
- Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) VSD 190 – available through the Electronic Registration and Title system or at Secretary of State facilities
Forms are fillable PDFs. Download them to your computer and open with Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results.
Why Proper Registration Matters?
Correct use of Form VSD 890 and compliance with Illinois school bus registration rules protects students, operators, and the public. The $2 million insurance minimum reflects the high duty of care required when transporting children. Staying current with the Illinois Secretary of State requirements helps avoid fines, registration suspensions, and potential liability issues.
For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the official Illinois Secretary of State website at ilsos.gov or contact the Vehicle Services Department. Requirements can change through legislation or administrative updates, so verify details before submitting any application.