Illinois SOS Form VSD 845 Antique Expanded Use Guide – For classic car and motorcycle owners in Illinois, Form VSD 845 is the official request document used when applying for Expanded-Use Antique Vehicle or Motorcycle license plates, including vanity and personalized options. Issued by the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS), this form helps eligible owners obtain plates that allow significantly more driving freedom than standard antique plates for most of the year.
This guide covers everything U.S. vehicle owners need to know about Form VSD 845, eligibility rules under Illinois law, current fees, seasonal driving restrictions, required supporting documents, and how to submit your request. All information is drawn from official Illinois Secretary of State resources and the Illinois Vehicle Code.
What Is Form VSD 845?
Form VSD 845 is officially titled the Expanded-Use Antique Vehicle/Motorcycle Vanity & Personalized Plates Request Form. It is used to request Expanded-Use Antique plates (random-number, vanity, or personalized) for qualifying motor vehicles and motorcycles.
According to the Illinois Secretary of State, these plates have staggered expiration dates and must be renewed annually. They may be displayed on passenger vehicles, trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles, and motorcycles.
You can download the current official PDF here: Download Illinois Form VSD 845 (PDF).
The form is also listed on the official License Plates Publications and Forms page as “Antique Vehicle — Expanded Use Request Form.”
Eligibility Requirements for Expanded-Use Antique Plates
To qualify under 625 ILCS 5/3-804.01 and SOS guidelines:
- Motor vehicles and motorcycles must be more than 25 years old.
- Firefighting vehicles must be at least 20 years old.
- The vehicle may be a “bona fide replica” — an exact copy of the original in design, frame, and mechanical operation. “Facsimiles” (close but not exact reproductions) do not qualify.
- The mechanical and physical condition of the vehicle (including brakes, lights, glass, and appearance) must be the same or as safe as originally equipped.
- As of August 1, 2025, “expanded-use antique vehicle” does not include a commercial vehicle or a farm truck (per Public Act 104-105).
Owners must complete and submit the companion Affirmation for Use and Condition of Expanded-Use Antique Vehicle (Form VSD 846) along with the request.
Driving Restrictions for Expanded-Use Antique Plates
Expanded-Use plates offer far more flexibility than standard antique plates:
- March 1 through November 30 — The vehicle may be driven on public highways without the restrictions that apply to standard antique plates.
- December 1 through the last day of February — Use is limited to traveling to and from an antique auto show or exhibition, service station, or demonstration.
These seasonal rules are set by Illinois statute and are affirmed on Form VSD 846.
Current Fees for Expanded-Use Antique Plates (as Published by Illinois SOS)
Fees are in addition to any applicable title or other registration charges. Newly purchased vehicles also require a $165 title fee in most cases.
Passenger Vehicles / Trucks / SUVs / Vans
- Random-Number Expanded-Use Antique: First-time issuance $45; Annual renewal $45
- Vanity Expanded-Use Antique: First-time $139 ($45 + $94 vanity); Annual renewal $58 ($45 + $13)
- Personalized Expanded-Use Antique: First-time $92 ($45 + $47 personalized); Annual renewal $52 ($45 + $7)
Motorcycles
- Random-Number Expanded-Use Antique Motorcycle: First-time $23; Annual renewal $23
- Vanity Expanded-Use Antique Motorcycle: First-time $73 ($23 + $50); Annual renewal $36 ($23 + $13)
- Personalized Expanded-Use Antique Motorcycle: First-time $48 ($23 + $25); Annual renewal $30 ($23 + $7)
Fee details are listed on both Form VSD 845 and the official Expanded-Use Antique License Plates page.
How to Complete and Submit Form VSD 845?
Follow these steps carefully. Proper completion is the applicant’s responsibility.
- Download and print Form VSD 845 from the official SOS website.
- Complete owner information (name, address, daytime phone, current plate number if any, vehicle type, expiration date).
- For vanity or personalized plates, list up to three choices. Indicate spacing with a slash mark. Numbers must precede letters on Expanded-Use Antique plates. Do not use lowercase letters, symbols, punctuation, or intermix letters and numbers improperly. Obscene or offensive combinations are prohibited and may be recalled.
- Indicate whether you will accept the next available number if your exact choices are unavailable.
- Include payment (check or money order) for the applicable plate fee. Money must accompany first-time registration requests.
- Attach the required Affirmation (VSD 846), Application for Title/Registration, and current registration ID card or title as needed.
Mailing Addresses (from Form VSD 845):
- Random-Number plates → Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department, Special Plates Division, 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756
- Vanity/Personalized plates → Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department, Personalized Plates Section, 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756
Illinois Expanded-Use Antique Vehicle plates may also be requested through the SOS Pick-a-Plate online service (eligibility restrictions apply; leased, trust, or business-registered vehicles are generally not eligible for Pick-a-Plate).
Required Companion Form: VSD 846 Affirmation
Form VSD 846 is mandatory. On it, the owner affirms:
- Limited use during December–February (shows, exhibitions, servicing, or demonstration only).
- Unrestricted highway use from March–November.
- That the vehicle’s mechanical and physical condition meets original safety standards.
- That the vehicle meets the age requirement (more than 25 years old, or at least 20 years for firefighting vehicles).
Download the current Affirmation form from the official SOS site: VSD 846 Affirmation PDF.
Additional Important Notes for Applicants
- No refunds or adjustments are made for changes in plate choice, spacing, or incorrect form completion after ordering.
- The Secretary of State may refuse or recall any combination deemed offensive.
- Expanded-Use Antique plates are not eligible for the Benefit Access Program.
- Owners may display a historical Illinois-issued plate representing the model year of the vehicle in lieu of the current Expanded-Use plates, provided the valid current plates and registration card are carried in the vehicle and available for inspection.
- Forms are available at most SOS facilities, by mail, online at ilsos.gov, or by calling 800-252-8980. For special plates questions, contact the Non-Standard Plates Section at 217-785-0005 or 217-558-0339.
Why Choose Expanded-Use Antique Plates?
Standard antique plates in Illinois severely limit year-round use to shows, exhibitions, servicing, and demonstrations only. Expanded-Use plates give collectors the ability to enjoy their vehicles freely during the warmer months (March–November) while still benefiting from the special registration category. This makes Form VSD 845 an essential document for many Illinois classic vehicle owners who want practical driving privileges without full standard registration costs and requirements.
Always verify the latest fees, form revision dates, and instructions directly on the Illinois Secretary of State website before submitting, as details can be updated. For the most current official information, visit ilsos.gov or the dedicated Expanded-Use Antique plates page.
Official Download Link: Illinois Form VSD 845 — Antique Vehicle Expanded Use Request Form (PDF)