Illinois Form VSD 344 Mandatory Insurance Affirmation – Illinois requires nearly all motor vehicles registered and operated on public highways to carry minimum liability insurance. Form VSD 344, issued by the Illinois Secretary of State, is the official “Mandatory Vehicle Insurance Law Affirmation” used when a vehicle owner needs to declare that a specific vehicle was not covered by liability insurance on a designated verification date. This page explains what the form is, when it is required, how to complete it correctly, and how it fits into the state’s electronic insurance verification system.
What Is Form VSD 344?
Form VSD 344 is an official Illinois Secretary of State document titled “Mandatory Vehicle Insurance Law Affirmation.” It references 625 ILCS 5/7-601, the statute that requires liability insurance for most registered motor vehicles.
On the form, the vehicle owner prints their name, identifies the vehicle (year, make, and license plate number), states the verification date, and provides a reason why the vehicle was not insured on that date. The owner then signs and dates the affirmation under penalty of law and acknowledges that the vehicle must be covered by liability insurance whenever it is operated.
The current version of the form (VSD 344.4) was printed in January 2023 and remains the official version available from the Illinois Secretary of State.
Download the official form here: Illinois Secretary of State Form VSD 344 (PDF)
When Is Form VSD 344 Used?
Illinois operates the Illinois Insurance Verification System (ILIVS). Under this program, the Secretary of State electronically verifies liability insurance coverage for registered vehicles at least twice each year through a third-party vendor connected to insurance companies that write policies in Illinois.
If electronic verification fails to confirm coverage, the owner may receive a notice. In situations where the vehicle genuinely was not insured on the verification date (for example, because it was stored, inoperable, sold, or otherwise not being driven), Form VSD 344 allows the owner to formally affirm that fact and provide the reason.
The form is not a general insurance declaration used at every registration or renewal. Most owners never need it. It is specifically designed for the affirmation of non-coverage on a particular verification date under the Mandatory Vehicle Insurance Law.
Illinois Mandatory Vehicle Insurance Requirements
Under 625 ILCS 5/7-601, no person may operate, register, or maintain registration of a motor vehicle designed for use on public highways unless the vehicle is covered by a liability insurance policy meeting minimum limits. Those minimums are currently:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one crash
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one crash
- $20,000 for property damage in any one crash
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage at the same 25/50 limits is also required. Trailers are exempt. Certain other vehicles (government-owned, self-insured under specific certificates, implements of husbandry, and vehicles already subject to higher insurance requirements under other chapters of the Vehicle Code) are also exempt.
Owners must carry evidence of insurance (paper or electronic insurance card meeting state content requirements) and present it upon request by law enforcement.
How the Electronic Verification Process Works?
Since 2020–2021, the Illinois Secretary of State has used electronic verification rather than relying solely on paper forms or random mailings. The process generally works as follows:
- ILIVS attempts to match the registered vehicle against insurer-reported data.
- If the first check fails, a second verification occurs approximately 30 days later. This grace period accounts for recent sales, temporary storage, or data delays.
- If the second check still shows no coverage, the registered owner receives a notice.
- The owner must then either prove coverage existed on the verification date (usually through the insurance agent submitting data electronically via the ILIVS portal) or address the lack of coverage.
Official information and the insurance payment/reinstatement portal are available at ilivs.com and on the Illinois Secretary of State Mandatory Insurance page.
How to Complete Form VSD 344?
The form is straightforward. Complete it accurately and legibly:
- Owner name – Print the full legal name of the registered owner.
- Vehicle year and make – Enter the model year and manufacturer (for example, “2019 Honda”).
- License plate number – Enter the exact plate number assigned to the vehicle.
- Verification date – Write the month/day/year that appears on the Secretary of State notice.
- Reason vehicle not insured – Provide a clear, truthful explanation (examples: vehicle was in long-term storage, vehicle was inoperable and not driven, vehicle had been sold, policy had lapsed and was not renewed, etc.).
- Acknowledgment – The form already states that the owner understands the vehicle must be covered by liability insurance when operated.
- Signature and date – Sign and date the form under penalty of law.
Submit the completed form according to the instructions on any accompanying notice from the Secretary of State. Keep a copy for your records.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failing to maintain required liability insurance or failing to respond properly to a verification notice can result in:
- Suspension of the vehicle’s registration (license plates)
- A $100 reinstatement fee (payable online through the ILIVS portal after obtaining coverage)
- For first-time offenders, suspension until insurance is obtained and the fee is paid
- For repeat offenders within a four-year period, a four-month suspension plus the $100 fee
- Traffic citations for operating an uninsured vehicle, with a minimum fine of $500 (higher for subsequent violations or when plates are already suspended)
While plates are suspended, no one may legally operate that vehicle, although the owner may still drive other properly insured vehicles.
Tips for Illinois Vehicle Owners
- Always keep your insurance information current with your insurer so electronic verification succeeds.
- If you sell a vehicle, cancel or transfer the insurance promptly and ensure the title is properly assigned.
- If a vehicle will be stored long-term and not driven, confirm with the Secretary of State or your insurer what documentation is appropriate.
- Use only official forms downloaded from ilsos.gov. Third-party “fillable” versions may be outdated.
- Contact your insurance agent first if you receive an ILIVS notice; most coverage confirmations are handled electronically by the insurer.
Official Resources and Contact Information
- Official Form VSD 344 PDF: Download here
- Illinois Secretary of State Mandatory Insurance page: ilsos.gov Mandatory Insurance
- ILIVS portal and payment/reinstatement: ilivs.com
- Illinois Compiled Statutes – Required liability insurance: 625 ILCS 5/7-601
- Secretary of State contact for insurance verification matters: Springfield office, (217) 524-4946 (as listed on Form VSD 344)
Form VSD 344 is a simple but important compliance tool within Illinois’ mandatory insurance framework. Completing it accurately when required, maintaining continuous liability coverage, and responding promptly to any ILIVS notices will help Illinois vehicle owners avoid registration suspensions, fines, and other penalties.