Illinois Form VSD 794 Driver Education Plates Guide – Schools across Illinois that run approved driver education programs rely on special license plates for their instructional vehicles. The official way to request new plates or renew existing ones is through Form VSD 794, issued by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Vehicle Services Department. This guide explains who qualifies, what the form requires, the current fee, and how to submit it correctly for U.S. schools and administrators.
What Is Form VSD 794?
Form VSD 794 is the official Illinois Secretary of State document titled “Driver Education License Plates Request/Renewal Form.” It allows eligible schools to obtain or renew special license plates used exclusively on passenger cars in state-approved driver education programs.
These plates are governed by Section 3-617 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Unlike standard vehicle registration, the plates are issued to the school (not to a specific vehicle) and can be moved from one qualifying car to another without additional notification to the Secretary of State.
You can download the current fillable PDF directly from the official Illinois Secretary of State website:
Who Is Eligible to Use Form VSD 794?
Eligibility is limited to schools that operate a Driver Education Program approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. This includes:
- Public high schools
- Private high schools operated by religious institutions
The school may request as many sets of plates as it has passenger cars used exclusively in the approved driver education program. Plates may not be used on vehicles outside of that program.
Only the school district superintendent or private school principal may sign the form. The signature includes an affirmation that all vehicles in the program meet the liability insurance requirements under Section 12-707.01 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Key Features of Driver Education License Plates
- Issued to the school — not registered to an individual vehicle
- Transferable between qualifying passenger cars without notifying the Secretary of State
- Cost — $10 per set of plates
- Renewal cycle — every two years
- Display requirement — plates must be displayed in accordance with Illinois Vehicle Code Section 3-413
These plates help schools avoid the need to fully register each instructional vehicle under standard passenger-vehicle rules while still allowing legal operation on public highways for driver education purposes.
How to Complete Form VSD 794?
The form is straightforward. Schools must provide the following information:
- Name of School
- District Number
- Full Address (street, city, state, ZIP code)
- County
- Driver Education School Code Number
Next, select one of the two options:
- Request for new plates ($10 per set)
- Renewal of current Driver Education Plates — list the existing plate numbers to be renewed
Finally, the school district superintendent or private school principal must sign the affirmation regarding liability insurance compliance.
Print the completed form, enclose payment of $10 for each set of plates requested or renewed, and mail it to the address shown on the form.
Where to Submit Form VSD 794?
Mail the completed form and payment to:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
Non-Standard Plates Section
501 S. Second St., Rm. 541
Springfield, IL 62756
Phone inquiries: 217-782-2885
Official website: www.ilsos.gov
The form is also listed on the Illinois Secretary of State’s License Plates Publications and Forms page for easy access.
Related Forms and Resources
Schools that need to replace lost or damaged Driver Education plates should use the related form:
For general information about Illinois license plates and vehicle services, visit the official License Plates page:
Illinois Secretary of State – License Plates Publications and Forms
Driver education programs themselves must meet Illinois State Board of Education standards, which require a minimum of 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training in a dual-control vehicle.
Important Tips for Schools
- Keep accurate records of plate numbers assigned to your program for easy renewal every two years.
- Confirm that every vehicle displaying these plates is used exclusively for the approved driver education program.
- Ensure continuous liability insurance coverage that meets Section 12-707.01 requirements.
- Download and complete the most recent version of the form from the official .gov website only.
- Allow sufficient processing time; mail submissions are handled by the Non-Standard Plates Section in Springfield.
Why Proper Registration Matters?
Using Form VSD 794 correctly keeps instructional vehicles legally on the road and protects schools from registration violations. Because the plates stay with the school rather than individual cars, programs can rotate vehicles as needed without extra paperwork—provided the cars remain dedicated to driver education.
Always verify the latest form version and mailing instructions on the official Illinois Secretary of State website, as addresses or room numbers can be updated.
For the current official form, download it here:
Official Form VSD 794 – Driver Education License Plate Request/Renewal
This resource is intended for school administrators, driver education coordinators, and district staff in Illinois who need clear, accurate guidance on obtaining and renewing these specialized plates.